Arci Muñoz | Image: Instagram/@ramonathornes
Arci Muñoz reflected on the time she was bashed for being a fangirl of K-pop sensation BTS, saying that “it’s strange” that people made an issue out of it.
Sitting down on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Thursday, July 18, the actress was asked about her feelings about being criticized for her fangirl endeavors.
“It’s strange that people, you know, parang, of course they’re going to talk na siyempre kung anong gusto nilang sabihin (they will say what they want to say). They already have a perception of you in their heads, so kung hindi mo ma-achieve ‘yun sa naiisip nila, may issue ka (if you don’t achieve the vision of you they have in their heads, you are at fault),” she said.
Muñoz underscored that she’s trying not to mind the negative comments.
“Ewan ko po (I don’t know). During that time, I was just really—they’re my source of happiness. Basta as long as I’m happy. I know myself more than anyone else,” she said.
In 2020, the “StarStruck” alumna drew flak from Filo-Armys (Philippine-based BTS fans) after she documented her visit to BTS Jin’s favorite restaurant and narrated her experience: “Paboritong restaurant ni Jin (Jin’s favorite restaurant). Waaah! Super sasaeng mode. Sorry, sorry, not sorry!”
Sasaeng, in Korean, pertains to an obsessive fan who tends to invade the privacy of Korean idols or other public figures in the entertainment industry, which sometimes involves stalking.
In 2022, Muñoz attended the seven-piece K-Pop boyband’s “Permission to Dance” concert at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, not just once, but twice.
At the moment, BTS is on hiatus as the members fulfill their mandatory military service. They are expected to continue their group activities in 2025.
Member Jin recently completed his service, being the first member to do so, while RM, Jimin, V, Jungkook, J-Hope, and Suga are all still on active duty.