On September 14, BTS’s Jungkook made headlines after a cryptic post on his dog Bam’s Instagram account, sparked widespread speculation among K-pop fans.
The post, the first update since April 2024, featured a picture of Bam along with the caption, “Artists are not guilty,” and five heart emojis.
Fans were quick to interpret the post as Jungkook showing support for the members of NewJeans amid the ongoing conflict between HYBE, new ADOR, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.
The color of the heart emojis matched the colors NewJeans used in previous promotions, leading fans to believe that Jungkook was subtly standing up for the group amidst the drama.
Shortly after the first post, Jungkook made a second update on the same account, sharing another picture of Bam with the caption, “Don’t use them.”
This post fueled further speculation, with many wondering if Jungkook was referring to the NewJeans members being caught in the middle of the ongoing dispute involving HYBE and Min Hee Jin.
The cryptic posts divided opinions among fans. Some saw them as a clear show of support for the NewJeans members, while others speculated that the Instagram account might have been hacked, given the gravity of the situation.
As the speculation continued to grow, Big Hit Music, BTS’s agency, addressed the issue. In an official statement to My Daily, Big Hit Music clarified the reasoning behind Jungkook’s posts.
The agency stated, “We have confirmed that he posted it because he thought that under no circumstances should a young artist be dragged into a dispute and used as a shield.” The statement reinforced Jungkook’s stance, highlighting his concern over young artists being caught in industry conflicts.
With both posts stirring strong emotions, Jungkook has once again shown his commitment to supporting his fellow artists, making a statement on their behalf while also raising awareness about the pressures they face in the entertainment industry.