Old Cat Lady

It doesn't change the length of time served, you just get more days off because the work is so hard

This doesn't surprise me. One thing that was obvious about their enlistment plan was that they were trying to minimize down time in order to keep the momentum going. One of the big fears of the entertainment industry is that they'll be forgotten if they spend too much time out of the spotlight. At Festa, they stated that Jin's album would be last, which meant that he'd release while the rest are on in the military. I just hope that ARMY shows Jin the same support that they showed the Maknae line, which has traditionally not been the case. JK is really a voice chameleon. He sounds great with anyone. I think I still like the original better but I'm thrilled for JK that he gets to work with his childhood idols. I'm personally going to resist learning about Usher as a person so that I don't find anything to dislike. I read that the Companion soldier program is there to try to encourage people to enlist that may be otherwise afraid to do so. I'm unsure whether they get to stay together after boot camp. They get transferred to their permanent base after basic training but some are saying that it's random at that point and others are saying that they get moved together. The disadvantage of companion soldiers is that only some bases accept them. The advantage of it is that they get to choose which base they want to go to. The Front Line has an acceptance rate of 2.5:1, indicating that it is one of the least desired places to serve, so it's pretty clear that JK/Jimin only chose that base because Jin is there, which really warms my heart - not that I had any doubt at all for their love of their Jin hyung. Now that I've read more about the military - it makes total sense that Jin was sent to the Front Line (and I have doubts about him being sent there randomly) - it's one of the hardest and most important bases. It's in the Korean military's interest to try to encourage people to apply there. JK/Jimin are also held back because they have visible tattoos. Not all units will accept them and they're not eligible for higher positions, no matter how well they do. One thing I'm concerned about Tae serving in the special forces is that it's the unit that most closely serves the president, making me wonder if he'd be the most susceptible to being used while in service. But the latter is pure speculation on my part. I guess I don't know why you think Tae is softer than the rest. Do you mean physically? Maybe, but he's still insanely fit compared to the average person. If you mean mentally - I disagree. Tae is one of the most independent of the members and they've all had to train under years of brutal conditions. The only thing I'm concerned about with the members is how well they'd do without each other - to me, the ones that I thought would struggle the most are Jin, Jimin, and JK - Jin flourished and Jk/Jimin have each other + their hyung. On a lighter note, logically, you'd think that this should effectively sink some ships, but shipping is more of an emotional thing. The JinKookers and JiKookers are ecstatic. The JiKookers are smugly celebrating the end of TaeKook and TaeKookers are apparently scrambling trying to spread information that JK/Jimin had to serve together because of their tattoos or something. Haven't seen anything by TaeJin'ers and the other ships aren't that big

He does, but the requirement I read was 20/30 so maybe Tae barely needs them whereas RM is practically blind as a bat, if I understand the prescription he posted on his insta

JK's success has really brought out the worst in the Akgaes. I follow a couple Tae/TaeJin accounts because I like getting tidbits of info anywhere and a lot of the videos are really cute, but yesterday I came across a thread of Tae akgaes saying the most vile things about JK (and the group) - made the Blinks look tame. They're under the impression that everyone is against Tae. And now there's the Spotify wrapped and whenever one of the maknae line isn't in someone's top 5, she gets accused of hating that particular member. I guess solos can't do math - 7 members + 1 group = 8 for 5 slots I agree, but I feel that way about several big stars. Based on their success, New Jeans really did deserve it this year. I think they've had one of the most successful debut 1st 1.5 years in history. I think they're going to surpass BlackPink (7.5 yr group) as far as musical chart success goes some time in 2024. Tae's a free spirit and one of the more independent members so I guess it's not that surprising. I'm glad he's getting to turn his military time into an adventure, assuming it's still the standard 18 months. This also explains why Jin was sent to front line - clearly he applied for it. ETA: oops. I guess not. Apparently Jin was sent there randomly but JK and Jimin applied to be there. So because Jin enlisted solo, his camp was random but since JiKook enlisted at the same time, they're considered "companion"(?) and can therefore choose where they apply? I thought maybe that's why RM waited until the end but then I read that Tae and RM aren't going to the same base. I also read that 20/30 vision is required for Special Forces, which I'm guessing RM is no where close to so wouldn't be able to apply for Special Forces even if he wanted to. I'm thoroughly confused now. JK and Jimin seem the most emotionally attached to the group so, in hindsight, this makes total sense that they applied to be in the same base as Jin. These three have been drinking buddies for years and are clearly very close. JK can afford to have his adventures anywhere he wants - If I were him, I'd prioritize being close to my loved ones as well. To be clear, they will be in different squads so Jin won't be training them but I think that they'd be close enough that they can see each other in their down time.

So RM & V are going to the same base and Jimin and JK are going to the same base? Makes me wonder if the Tannies could have been together if they went in at the same time - and I wonder why Jin was the only one put on Front line.

I don't know what the motive is for the Indonesian fans, but I don't think you need to have a common religion to empathize with people's suffering. I'm atheist and I'm horrified by the few things I've read. That's why I suggest the Korea Animal Welfare Association; he celebrated his 26th birthday by making a large donation to them. He seems to favor animal charities in general. He donated his prize money from You Quiz on the Block to "Beagle Rescue Network". And his beloved Jjiangu was a rescue. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2022/01/btss-jin-donates-money-to-an-organization-rescuing-dogs-that-were-victims-of-animal-testing https://www.koreaboo.com/news/bts-jin-birthday-donation-animal-shelter/ But another good option would be UNICEF Korea. Jin was inducted into the UNICEF Honors Club. They recognized him for his donations and he only accepted because he thought that bringing attention to his donations would cause others to donate. https://www.soompi.com/article/1328766wpp/btss-jin-becomes-member-of-unicefs-honors-club-for-his-generous-donations ETA: this clip is all over my timeline. I want to find someone to try this with me. There's a few clips on my timeline that I've never seen before - I assume something got released that I don't know about. Now that we're nearing the end of Run BTS, maybe we can take turns buying the different offerings from Hybe and sharing them, though that'll require using a different format for the Watch Parties

This is cool. I've never heard JK's hidden vocals on ON before. Jin's Chinese fans created a children's library and his Indonesian fans donated to Palestinians. A couple of his past birthday projects were planting trees for a forest - one was named "Epiphany" forest in Indonesia and the other is Jin forest in Seoul. One of his fan sites is trying to raise money for some billboard project and is currently short - I want to suggest donating to the Korea Animal Welfare Association in his name since it's a cause he loves, but I imagine comments from the peanut gallery are not particularly welcome. While I understand that the idol has to see the birthday project in order to feel the fan's love, I'm hard pressed to donate money for something silly that has no real impact - Jin won't even be able to see it this year. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2023/01/indonesian-tv-news-reported-on-the-creation-of-a-new-forest-in-honor-of-btss-jin https://www.allkpop.com/article/2023/02/fan-dedicated-jin-forest-in-seoul-receives-an-award-by-the-general-assembly-of-seoul-environment-association

Lol. RM advocating for ARMY. I wonder what JK's mother thought as she saw a crowd thirsting after her baby boy

I saw on Twitter someone talking about Namjoon being seated right behind her. I would have a hard time deciding which way to look

Any clue what the audience was chanting?

For the 1st time, I'm thinking about getting one of those ridiculously huge curved screens. Think of how incredible it would be to watch this on one of those

I'm missing something. What in the world were the pictures on those paddles about?

I wonder how much of the music video concepts were his vs. the team. A lot of fan theories about the wings and choreography. Baz Luhrman commented that he was proud that JK took inspiration from his Romeo & Juliet I love Hate You!

I love his speaking voice. That smile is SO adorable

I didn't like Closer at first but after hearing it in the car, it really grew on me and I enjoy it a lot now

I got it. I was thinking when the button said "subtitles off" it meant that they were turning it off rather than they were currently off. Wow! His voice really does sound just like the track. When I first heard it, I thought that someone was being featured

Dammit! I forgot about the "no subtitles" on the computer thing! Forgot to download the app first

Absolutely. And there are tons of 21/22 yr old sleazebags. And as long as they behave that way, they'll be sleazebags until they mature enough to quit behaving like that. I wouldn't think much of a single incident, but the point is that JT had a pattern of douchery and he's never shown any remorse for any of it. Hopefully he's matured into a real man by this point in his life, though I've seen no evidence of it either way. ETA: btw, with the release of this remix, I'm guessing 3D will get a bigger push on the Hot 100 so I'm planning to add all the 3D remixes back into my play list. Not sure how it'll impact the global 200 ETA 2: I've been turning the volume up on my streaming playlist when I drive and I've learned to clump the songs that I only have on there for streaming purposes together. That way, I can just listen to the songs I like. It's been a bit of a driving hazard to constantly skip Seven and all the various remixes. The only issue is with "Too Much" since I really only hate the very last part. I guess the solution is to put it at the end of the clump of songs that I enjoy

lol. I love how our Joon is that mix of regal and dorky

I disliked JT since ~2003 when he felt a need to openly talking about having sex with Britney. Yes, she lied about being a virgin, but a real man doesn't need the world to know his conquests (and it's not like anyone believed her). Then he blind sided his band mates - went solo without telling them. And the fact that he let Janet take the complete fall for Nipple gate cemented it. I haven't read Britney's book, nor do I plan to, so don't know the details. People are making a big thing about her having an abortion because JT didn't want to be a father, but I don't even care about that. She still could have had the baby if she wanted it and he should have communicated his feelings. I believe the part about dumping her via text - seems completely on cowardly brand for him. I hate when talented, successful people are sleazebags. I like this version the most of the ones I heard. I'm thrilled for JK - I'm sure this was another dream come true for him. It's too bad JC Chasez wasn't better looking - he was the most talented member of NSync but not as charismatic as JT.

Too bad JT is such a creep, but still...

lol, he's a hug machine even in the military. And Jin is the Madnae even in the military I think it's their dorky old man ways of trying to relate to each others' countries. Fanwar stuff related to it:

Godiva chocolate is SO overrated. I will never understand why people pay so much for it. They used to have an ice cream that was amazing but it must have been too pricey for the average American because I only ever saw it 1 year. Jin stans are upset because all their birthday projects are getting cancelled by Hybe. Apparently there's some new rule that you can't have "BTS" or Hybe in the name of the project. Weird because there's no profit for the company, Jin, or BTS in the projects so you wouldn't think it has anything to do with military rules. Fans are bummed since they already put so much time and money into the projects and are scrambling to find something else to do for Jin. I've always been ambivalent toward the birthday things - it seems that the money could go to so much better things but I wonder if the guys would be disappointed if the fans didn't do these big displays of affection. I read that in Korea, gestures of love are really important between couples so I imagine that it would translate into other types of relationships and Jin was so disappointed when he didn't get as many birthday wishes as his friends. https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-that-unfortunate-bts-fans-debate-hybe-halts-fanbase-partnership-project-jinair-commemorate-kim-seokjin-s-birthday