BTS K-Drama “BEGINS ≠ YOUTH” Disappoints ARMYs With “Homophobic” Scene

Many felt it was completely off-brand.

The long-anticipated K-Drama inspired by the alternative universe of BTS’s HYYH era, BEGINS ≠ YOUTH, recently premiered, spiking interest among ARMYs.

| HYBE
HYBE

Fans were so enthralled by the cast and script that they wished the drama had been made available on more accessible streaming platforms. But one particular scene dampened some of that praise.

The scene features the two main characters, Kim Hwan (Seo Ji Hoon) and Min Cein (Noh Jong Hyun), who are based on the fictional versions of BTS members Jin and Suga, respectively. The scene depicts Cein skeptically asking Hwan, “Hyung, do you like me?” which is followed by Cein’s hesitant gestures to even be approached by Hwan. He then tells Hwan to talk to him from afar.

The scene, clearly intended to be a comical one, has made many fans upset as they feel it contains homophobic undertones. Many ARMYs felt it betrayed the original BU (BTS Universe) concept, which has been frequently studied for its possible queer subtext. The BTS members themselves are also very openly accepting of the queer community, expressions, and art forms. So, fans felt that this kind of storytelling was not genuine to their brand.

While some tried theorizing that it might be a depiction of internalized homophobia or a reference to a skit BTS did for “Blood, Sweat, and Tears,” some also stated that the removal of all possible queer subtext from the drama was to be expected from HYBE.

BTS

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