Jungkook of BTS has stirred discussion within South Korea’s online community following a candid livestream in which he spoke openly about personal frustrations while drinking and using occasional expletives.
The 88-minute broadcast, which aired in the early hours of Thursday on fan platform Weverse, has since been removed. During the session, the singer addressed a range of topics, including preparations for BTS’s upcoming album, his past smoking habit and his motivations as a K-pop artiste.
At several points, he appeared to express dissatisfaction over what he described as limitations placed on his words and behaviour. Referring to his former smoking habit, he said he had quit after considerable effort but felt unable to discuss it openly. “I’m 30 now. I don’t smoke anymore. But why can’t I talk about it?” he remarked, adding that speaking about certain matters might prompt a reaction from his agency or fellow members.
He emphasised that he values honesty, saying that if he has made mistakes, he prefers to acknowledge them. However, he described some subjects as too sensitive to address directly. He also reflected on his career, stating that his commitment to singing, dancing and songwriting stems from the support of fans rather than personal freedom alone.
“If it weren’t for the company, I would have said everything,” he said, suggesting that being at the centre of the K-pop industry carries added responsibility. He noted that as an idol, his words may be scrutinised more heavily than those of independent musicians.
Clips from the livestream circulated widely on social media, drawing divided reactions. Some Korean fans criticised his drinking and use of profanity, noting the high standards often imposed on public figures. Others defended him, voicing concern about possible tensions with management and calling for understanding.
The episode comes ahead of BTS’s fifth full-length album, Arirang, scheduled for release on March 20 — marking the group’s first album in three years and nine months. The Grammy-nominated act, known globally for hits such as Dynamite and Butter, is also set to launch its largest-ever world tour with a concert in Goyang, Gyeonggi, on April 9.
