Jungkook of BTS. Image: @BIGHIT_MUSIC
BTS’ Jungkook has taken fan community platform Weverse by storm as his recent livestream, where called out overly obsessive fans who showed up at the gym, garnered 15.8 million real-time views.
Jungkook’s personal livestream, which was recorded on Saturday, March 4 caught the attention of his dedicated fans, where he did his own rendition of the songs “10,000 Hours by Justin Bieber” and “Mirotic” by veteran K-pop group TVXQ!, among others — while drinking at what appeared to be beer.
Twitter users @minggurie and @jungkookah_7 shared snippets of the BTS member singing to “10,000 Hours” and “Mirotic” on their respective accounts.
Jungkook singing 10,000 Hours ahhhhhhpic.twitter.com/2aCpeGBUMe
— Jungkook⁷ 🥴𝄞 (@jungkookah_7) March 3, 2023
injecting jungkook mirotic directly into my veinspic.twitter.com/oLwjZObIyA
— ro (@minggurie) March 3, 2023
“I just turned it on for a while,” he said, as he started the livestream.
But the noteworthy moment in Jungkook’s live, however, was his encounter with sasaengs who showed up in front of his gym. A sasaeng is a slang used to describe an obsessive fan who hounds a K-pop idol’s personal life and violates their privacy.
“I wasn’t going to say anything. I am really thankful that you guys are cheering for me and sending me lots of interest and love. I’m really thankful. I really am,” he began. “[But] please don’t come to see me when I am exercising. I was really surprised last time.”
The BTS member then called out the obsessive fan, and hoped that they would stop showing up on his personal engagements.
“I finished working out and I had to go home… I was going to go home, but there were people there. I’m really thankful for all of your interest, but this was not an official schedule. Just so you know, I’m human too,” he said.
Jungkook speak up about the whole sasaeng situation 😢😢#WEVERSE_UPLOAD_JUNGKOOK_LIVE #JUNGKOOK pic.twitter.com/Lp64r6pU4A
— Park Jeon (@jikookwithu7) March 4, 2023
Fans also took to social media to express their frustration with the incident, as they hoped that sasaengs would leave Jungkook alone.
One @Jungkook_SNS said, “Don’t follow or crowd Jungkook when he’s not on any official schedule. People stalking and gathering at his gym and area when he didn’t [officially] share and clearly didn’t want it. Don’t invade his privacy.”
Don’t follow or crowd Jungkook when he’s not on any official schedule. People stalking and gathering at his gym and area when he didn’t share and clearly didn’t want it. Don’t invade his privacy. He’s so kind, don’t take advantage of his caring and kind nature :(
— Jungkook SNS✨️ (@Jungkook_SNS) March 3, 2023
Another @mikNkookie said, “There is absolutely nothing ok with showing up at the gym, his house, following Jungkook’s every little move.”
There is absolutely nothing ok with showing up at the gym, his house, following Jungkook’s every little move. He’s sitting here sharing his fears and vulnerabilities with us b/c he trusts us and so many choose to violate that by not listening to a word the Tannies say. LET THE… https://t.co/zFrVYGBVHv
— 🫰🏻𝕃𝔼𝕃𝔼⁷(ia)🪞: 🕯️will see SUGA🕯️ (@mikNkookie) March 3, 2023
Meanwhile, Glue Studio co-founder Zarina Holmes asked sasaengs to respect the K-pop idol’s “boundaries.”
Spoke too soon. Today @BTS_twt Jungkook came on live, asking politely for fans to stop stalking him at the gym. Upsetting to watch. No wonder he deleted his Instagram. What’s the deal with stalking people and checking out where they live/up to. Respect boundaries, guys.
— Zarina Holmes (@ZarinaHolmes) March 3, 2023
Last month, the “Euphoria” singer became the most viewed individual on the fan platform where he garnered over 16.3 million views.
Jungkook debuted as the center, main vocalist, lead dancer, and youngest member of BTS in June 2013. Apart from his activities with the group, he appeared at the FIFA World Cup 2022 opening ceremony in Qatar.
The K-pop artist also collaborated with American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth in June 2022. EDV