BTS Jimin’s Father Criticized for Alleged Exploitation: Fan Meeting & Autographed Merchandise Controversy

Unfortunately, Jimin’s father, Mr. Park, had to cancel the fan meeting he had scheduled in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Japan on August 11. The event was initially planned as part of the grand opening celebration for his café’s new Japanese branch.

The organizers announced that they would honor Mr. Park’s requests and are making efforts to reach out to as many individuals as possible. However, they anticipate a significant turnout as this will be Mr. Park’s inaugural visit to the Japanese store.

Unfortunately, the event had to be canceled as the organizers announced, “Due to personal reasons, Mr. Park is unable to visit Japan, so we regretfully have to cancel the event.”

Mr. Park’s café, located on Jinnam-ro in Nam-gu, Busan, has become a popular destination for ARMYs (fans of BTS) due to the group’s worldwide fame and Jimin’s individual charm.

The café offers a variety of merchandise for sale, such as t-shirts, necklaces, hats, and hand creams. These items are predominantly created in BTS’s iconic color, purple. Additionally, there is a selection of products that are centered around Jimin’s birth year, 1995, with prices ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 KRW (equivalent to approximately 22 to 37 USD).

Despite Jimin’s overwhelming fame, Mr. Park has also garnered considerable recognition and is on the brink of becoming a celebrity himself. Reviews from café customers reveal that numerous ARMYs have eagerly waited in long lines to obtain his autograph on a regular basis.

The dispute revolves around the signed merchandise and fan meeting in Japan that were ultimately cancelled. Critics contend that Mr. Park is exploiting the fame of BTS and Jimin for his own profit. Furthermore, there are worries that these actions could potentially damage Jimin’s reputation.

A few fans who were waiting for autographs at Mr. Park’s café have been featured in posts on online communities.

The fan meeting, which was canceled, similarly received criticism. The specific reason for the event’s cancellation is still unclear.

On the other hand, there are also those who support Mr. Park’s actions, stating that they bring joy to ARMYs who are missing Jimin. Additionally, some argue that since Mr. Park is Jimin’s father, it is acceptable for him to participate in related commercial activities.

The ongoing debate in related online communities has been further fueled by the revelation that Mr. Park has been donating ramen to low-income families for three years. This fact has recently come to light, adding another dimension to the discussion.

Meanwhile, Jimin is currently fulfilling his military duties after enlisting in December of last year, alongside fellow member Jungkook. It is anticipated that Jimin will complete his service and be discharged in June 2025.

The information was obtained from the website Nate (https://news.nate.com/view/20240816n10872?mid=n1008).