Before I discuss this, I will make a comment about BJYX or BJYXSZD to be more accurate. While there are lots of things that convinced me BJYX is real, mainly the little things, coincidences that can't be explained away, things they did that are certainly romantic than BFF/mentor-like, and candies that can't be washed like the ideal life painting and now NanHai and Kepler that is undeniable for the other guy. I'm sorry but I have to comment on this. I mean Nanhai is undeniable since WYB gave it to XZ in an instant so now I'm pretty sure XZ knew Web gave him the song during CQL filming. Seeing that interview gives me a new way of looking at it if XZ already knew. Little by little, I'm pretty sure fate pushed them together. I'm a clown about these two because I'm willing to be the deluded clown if only to show I am supporting their love. The more CQL BTS released, the more I want to know more of their love story I can decipher and paint how it went.
So you will see comparisons as I do need to draw some for people to get the idea of this discussion. I’ll also bring up Zhuliuhai for good measure because I need examples so you and I can see my thoughts and what it could mean, especially for their careers. So, long post, and I do mean long.
When I said idol, I referred to the entire idol industry in Japan, China, and Korea that has their own weird set of rules. The music is a different matter entirely due to history and so forth because I'm only referring to how they were advertised as the ideal idol gf/bf for their fans.
Anyway, let's go discuss this couple. Now while I haven't deep-dive into the Taekook fandom, there is a reliable timeline with all the BTS events and such. Analysis aside, it does give you whatever you can make a judgment because even those handling that blog made it clear they are trying to be as objective as possible. And the compilation will make you judge for yourself with the available info. Use probability to think about the possible theories and the likelihood.
I am open to the idea they might be Not Straight. I will not say straight until proven otherwise. I do not have any knowledge of what sexuality they might identify with as I don’t know them. All I can say is to wish the best of luck wherever they might go in their journey and their happiness. I am open to BJYX and Zhuliuhai as Not Straight too though I am firmly BJYXSZD for the many things I consider candies can’t be washed and coincidences that can’t be explained away, and other little things that one needs closer inspection without over-analyzing. I’m a clown for them but I am willing to be one for their love if I were to speak out about it.
At the end of the day, I'm just a woman speculating the love lives of guys I don't think I would ever meet and being a clown. At least, people are willing to admit they are being clowns rather than the people making them. I have no real horse in this race so I'm a willing clown for them.
First thing first, Dispatch. Ah, Dispatch, Korea's TMZ, who ended up being powerful because of the visceral fan reactions from the gf fans variety. They have threatened to out a gay couple from a rising group that has a two year age difference. We don't know and unless the gay couple does come out from their own power and confirm Dispatch did threaten to out them, it's unlikely to be revealed. And there are loads of closeted idols in Korea, not just queer idols but het idols who are forced to hide their relationships. And not just for privacy either since Chen is so willing to reveal he's going to marry the woman of his dreams.
Even though the media has been trying to normalize idols dating and marrying, the recent Chen incident revealed there is still a long time to go before they get rid of the mentality altogether. It's fine to have celeb crushes but it's another to actually think the idol will be dating you when you know you don't know him personally. There is a difference between investing time and money for supporting them and another just to think you are dating them even when you know they don't know you and have their personal lives.
But I'm digressing. If you want to see my rant about the idol industry's gf/bf erotomania perpetuation, then go see my previous posts. When I discussed at length, I'm not going to discuss even more when I have my insight on things.
Again, we don't know which couple Dispatch threatened to out that has the requirements of being two years apart in a rising band. Now, Dispatch may or may not be lying since this is a tabloid that has a tendency to blow things out of proportion, fabricate things outright, spread rumors that may or may not be true, and might have truths if sensationalized. They also have the K-ent industry in their pockets, particularly the idol companies, where they do have blackmail materials just to ruin the idol's lives and careers. I'm pretty sure they got blackmail material on BTS due to how long they have been in contact with them and holds it over them even now.
Again, the upside is Dispatch can't release the information now since it's banned from out a couple without their consent in Korea. I'm pretty sure they still have the photos in the backburner and still have it as blackmail.
There are many rumored queer idols, some of them probably in relationships and might've been the ones Dispatch wanted to expose. Regardless, we still have them as candidates and probably these two. I am open to whatever sexuality Kpop idols are. Hell, Sehun is definitely Not Straight and his groupmates' responses points in that direction, showing their support. While Taekook does fit the requirements for Dispatch's threats, I'm pretty sure other closeted idols that are dating other idols were freaked out. Sehun and other closeted idols that are dating non-celebs should be fine although worried for the would-have-been outed couple.
I am open to the possibility BTS has at least queer two members or more. This is why I can be understood about Exo's case with Suho and Sehun. On a side note, no, they aren't together by any means and are bros. Several Exo members have referenced Sehun's lack of attraction to women. Again, most people shrugged it off because they don't notice or bother to look into more of the context or pure homophobia. Especially the gf fans who demonstrated homophobia towards any of their idols even trying to start a new chapter in their lives with their SO.
As I said before, from these pairing chapters, I'm a clown. But when it comes to queer, let these dudes be them and allow space and time if they wish to come out.
Let's compare how they could've hidden their relationship. Again, they don't have to give out candies nor do they have the duty to. For example, Chen released the info about marrying the woman of his dreams and having a family together because he wanted to share that happiness with his fans. Sehun didn’t release any info but rather by odd choices because he obviously likes to keep it private for his non-celeb SO. Unlike the pairs I will be discussing, Sehun is dating a non-celeb and isn’t scrutinized as much; the info the fans got is from deciding he’s gay and having a boyfriend right now, suspicions bring the chef.
The companies would have to know since they would be the ones to hide it the most. I'm pretty sure BJYX's managers and companies know about their stars' romance which is why they hid and did secretive things. While I don't like to bring this up because stalkers, stalkers caught Web going into a van I think it was with five or six umbrellas covering him and the person in the car. Sometime before or later, I don't know, fans know XZ was in Shanghai at the time of SDOC3 filming because he posted himself at a cafe in the same city SDOC3 is being filmed and that is Shanghai. So why the umbrellas in the dead of night in a clear sky with the express purpose of hiding? I don’t like bringing up obvious stalker moments but the point is still the same: they are hiding to the point it seemed they are covering all the bases.
So yeah, the big businesses have to know. Why else do people expect the companies to give out statements when something like a couple was revealed? So hiding a couple in a rising group gotta be hard on them since as they were soaring as the company was too, BigHit had to deal with hiding with twofold the problems with having a queer couple and two members dating each other. So secret service level hiding is what idols have to do just to keep their personal lives out of their fans, antis, and paparazzi's eyes. This is basically how E'Dawn/Hyuna, BJYX, and Chen hid their relationships. They aren't as lucky as Luhan and his girlfriend who made their relationship public. I'm pretty sure while the staff and Bang PD are supportive, it's stressful because they have more to hide from the public eye until the boys might come out one day.
Why separate two guys in the same band when just knowing that people see them as bros would be an easy deterrent to being seen as a queer couple? To the rest of the world, BTS is a family and bros so separate them publicly makes questions pop up; I have seen people seriously thinking Vkook wasn’t as close anymore precisely because there aren’t any official content when if you really look at the evidence, the two are forced to separate and the editors underplay their interactions. If you look at candid vids, you can still see their closeness.
Hell, people like to make fun of RPS fans in the west so much while the East just lets it ease on by. I mean it's clear those guys are still close and cooped up together in quarantine. So the In The Soop Taekook night talk might not be weird for those who just follow the official stuff but to those who really followed closely, it's staged and raised questions since it's just after quarantine and even in the Taekook vlives there are times we see their closeness due to slipups. Again, they're pretending to be distant in the public eye officially when off the camera they're still as close as ever and we do see them comfortable on each other's bodies like cuddling after quarantine on camera with ease. Why in the hell would the staff make it clear they can't touch for too long and didn't even promote Taekook when it's the most popular RPS in Kpop? Again, what is the point of them being drifting on-camera when off-camera they are still close? Why do this at all when BTS kept saying they're a found family? When they don't drift apart from petty fights like dumplings?
Heck, from what I have seen, many just want them as a subunit. A singing duo. A damn picture that isn’t a fanedit or a fancam or something official that is known to the public rather than placed in Weverse would be nice too. It got to the point that fans especially Taekookers have trust issues because the staff kept cutting and editing back any Taekook content. Again why? I’m pretty sure Taekook have loads of recorded songs through the years as BigHit is not gonna announce them as a subunit. All we got out of a Taekook subunit are singing to each other in group songs and covers that they sang to each other that includes karaoke. Isn’t that too much to ask for BigHit to have one official song or a pic that isn’t fancam? What is so bad about them as a subunit? It certainly doesn’t feel like they were building up to it. They’re pals and bros according to the rest of the world so why aren't they going to make them a subunit outside of singing to each other in the group songs? The other members who have yet to make a subunit of their own can be easily explained away since BH has no problems with them, just with Taekook and what little official content they give to the general public and when they do, they sent a narrative of drifting apart then reconnecting.
At least BJYX has an excuse because they are busy with their own projects after the Double 11 event, the last event they will ever share the stage. The audience does want to see them work together again because that's how much they can't think one without the other. The reason BXGs goes crazy is that despite having no public photos at official events since Double 11, they are screaming over the fansites' CQL BTS because that's how much people just want to see them together in some capacity. And any tangentially references made by either one that hints they still get together once their schedule cleared for a period of time such as the recent Beijing snow/skateboard video and the infamous hotpot confirmation in SDOC3 though everyone knows they get together for hotpot due to taste changes either made comment about like Web's gradual tolerance of spices while XZ can't tolerate spicy after eating bland food.
That's the total opposite of Bighit cutting back on Taekook content despite them being in the same group like editing out Tae giving an orange slice to JK, only cutting to him eating the slice. Why?! It's a damn orange wedge and friends give food to each other! Is it because to focus on JK but we don't need a closeup? It's basically the same thing as XZ and Web pretended to not know they don't like eggplants and carrots respectively when LHK spilled that Web will eat XZ's eggplants for him? Why the hell are they trying to pretend about something so damn trivial when friends would know food preferences? Like it's normal. Everyone else in BTS knows RM and Jin hates mint chocolate so why is that any different from knowing a friend doesn't like eggplants and you will eat the leftovers since it's food? It's the same thing as the CQL editors who probably have an extra workload to edit out the potentially incriminating and scandalous material while Bighit does their best to not focus on Taekook whenever they can. That's why CQL BTS are so over-edited to downplay BJYX's flirtations while Bighit edited to make sure the moments are not shown and panning away as soon as Taekook as much sits next to each other in a bus.
If I’m guessing the plan, BigHit wanted to protect them and their relationship so they did questionable stuff like separation and editing and 2017 till now muting them (decreasing the visibility of their relationship in official content) as officially drifting apart. However, candid photos and vids show them just as close. Maybe the couple took it in stride as one of them did make it clear their relationship is not for the cameras though they gleefully enjoyed Taekookers’ support. However, due to personal issues, they developed a plan so they can be publicly affectionate again so the vlive and In The Soop was semi-scripted or at least have directions. Probably they even plan to come out so they needed to explain this so-called distance and immediate closeness first. Only let in your family and closest friends but the band can show you off as a couple in subtle ways through music. As for letting people know outside the circle, make subtle remarks you don’t mind the shipping and clearing y/n fantasies. Whatever hints they want to drop is up to them through subtle meanings like songs with meaningful lyrics that you reply to each other and personal jewelry.
As for BJYX, the plan is secretive love life, let in your closest friends and family, give out candies because you wanted to show off the love, and keep the relationship as a close friendship to the public. However, make your relationship an open secret in the industry as those in it will be suspicious but can’t confirm, deniable plausibility here. Only come out when garnering enough respect.
Again, this is only if Taekook is real as much as BJYXSZD. I have not yet made the decision. I am looking at the probabilities of what can explain such and such. BJYX has a lot of higher chance for romance on their percentages of the many interactions pre, during, and post-CQL filming. Because can you explain something like the ideal life painting from XZ has that definitely no heterosexual meaning and the Nan Hai/Kepler songs for each other that they actively changed the lyrics to? And those are some candies that can't be washed. So yeah, for me, about BJYX, I'm toasting their love while wearing a clown nose and wig.
Being in the same group would mean having their bandmates knowing thus can cover up shit or give hints. Closest family and friends can give hints that this particular idol is taken or queer by subtle means. Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin used this subtlety because only if they really look at their words and how Sehun didn't even reject what they said. Just look at Wang Yibo's TTXS bros who kept hinting the idol has a partner and slipped up multiple times as well as saving him from saying too much. So my guess BTS and BH does know since the freaking Rookie King with the tongue kiss of course game with Suga, Hobi, and V reassuring to Jk that V never used tongue, Suga visibly turning to Jk, not V or RM. It was so damn clear at that moment my brain can't move past it because no best friend would worry about tongue kisses with another friend while other friends would react the same way, knowing it's just a joke and part of a game. All they needed was Hobi and V's words, not Suga's confirmation on top of it. So yeah, I think Suga and Hobi first had suspicions then Jin and RM, could switch around the latter two. Jimin could fit between them. While Bang PD and the BH staff managing BTS would have their suspicions probably a year later after the rest of BTS figured it out.
Unfortunately, when two members are dating, the other members are in the crossfire for being used as part of jealousy ploys. Especially when the cameras aren't trained on them such as the MAMA 2016. Poor J-Hope looked so done. I'm pretty sure it's a consequence of fanservice being used when two members do have genuine feelings for each other and conflicted currently. BTS members have to be used to what's going on and have some insight. RM even looked at the two of them; that's important since if it's just fanservice, he doesn't even have to look at them both since he would know it's just bros being bros doing fanservice. Nope, the possibility when cameras aren't trained on them is to look at them and see their reactions. Because usually seeing reactions when you know that a member has feelings for another and do use other members as part of jealousy ploys wouldn't exactly go up there as y'know at least a seventy percent or lower. Bros being bros doing fanservice in a Kpop group would be higher but when other members have reactions and looking at the two members have another probability.
These guys would have to know at least. Especially when other groups that do have LGBT members give subtle hints that fly over the heads of the general public and fans. Again, only if you truly look at the evidence and particularly the people who would be in the know, it's become increasingly obvious. Given their reactions to some questionable moments such as the kisses on the cheeks that Namjoon flat out asked if they could air it and the others stated they done it at home implied frequently and Jimin's kissy noises after the infamous private convo vlive, these reactions would say that they know. Why make a kissy face if it's just gonna be a conversation best saved not for the cameras and had not JK react afterward he will stop after saying he wanted for a longer vlive and say to Tae that the conversation can be saved after the vlive but no, he immediately wanted to stop? Why react negatively to two guys sharing a room to be known to fans or asking if they should even air something like a kiss when in the same video the other guys did kiss each other but didn't react like that? Speaking of kisses, after Hobi and V kissed each other during Rookie King, why turn to JK after the kiss to reassure that they didn't use tongue? Why the hell would any best friend/brother worry they would kiss with fucking tongue to another brother/best friend when they know it's good fun anyway? And then lost any sense of competition when you are known to be? I am trying to find a heterosexual explanation for this! The possibility for it being romance is high when Jk took the effort to make eye contact with the staff whose off-camera and making motions as if he wants to retake the shoot and continued to be nervous until Suga and Hobi made it clear V never used to his when beside him his bros were laughing and didn’t even care whether or not they used tongue? Because everyone but Jk was reacting suitably as bros should be! I will not let this go because it cannot be read any other way and the probability for romance is super high.
Fanservice is gonna be hard to decipher, especially when there are queer idols involved. As we saw with Sehun and Suho, they do partake in the fanservice and that's because they're bros. But in the case of Taekook, they seemed to use fanservice partly to either flirt or act upon using it as some sort of ploys like jealousy or public affection outwardly to the public without backlash. So yeah, it's hard to tell which is which whereas BJYX doesn't do normal fanservice as in they don't do fanservice. Other companies used BJYX to get customers from that fanbase without those two consenting. What those two do consent is having showing bias towards them. That is not to say Taekook doesn’t show bias to their shippers because they do. It's not that the individual of BJYX doesn't do fanservice since Web loves fake kisses fanservice a lot as he kept doing it, just not with XZ.
So this brings up the question of why certain 'fanservice' moments are so damn subtle instead of blatant? Because fanservice is usually so blatant like hugging and fake kisses so I question when people found JK kissed Tae on the nape on the stage with Seventeen? Where people can’t see it? It's so damn subtle I question what is the point of the kiss when not a lot of people are going to see it the first way around? Because I'm pretty sure not everyone is going to catch it when the point of fanservice is for the fans to see? Y'know just like hugs and fake kisses? Why the subtle moments that are definitely not fanservice and a clear show of affection? That is clearly not bro-like that everyone else likes to say these two are? I'm trying the probabilities of each and every circumstance so I could rule them out!
Intertwining hands is also questionable too since, in Asia, it has major romantic connotations that I don't think best friends do it. So why do it at all in a country that has romantic connotations to intimate gestures like interlocking hands?
In the same group, it would mean that typical fanservice or not doing fanservice or intimacy that is absolutely bros don't do nor do they would be shrugged off as with the fact that most people would take it as bros. Matching outfits or items that are often a sign of a couple could be easily shrugged off as bandmates wearing similar stuff to show their friendship. Look at Japan where friends and couples wear matching clothes and items.
But what defines an idol relationship would be the items they don't endorse that they wear and only two-person close to each other wear it. Buying a car could be evidence since they are transported by their companies anyway and they don't need their own transport. Look at BJYX that bought Eyefunny and Gucci necklaces alongside the trendy street style that even their own fans have their hard time telling which guy is which nowadays. Things either they bought out of their own pocket and/or wear something that the other endorses but that idol, in particular, don't. Again, Xiao Zhan is with Gucci and Wang Yibo is with Chanel yet many comments that while the latter does wear Chanel's women's fashion and jewelry - there are certain items like the Chanel Crush rings that are undeniably BJYX evidence due to wearing it in most CQL promotions, most of his personal jewelry seemed to be Gucci.
Asian celeb industry has a problem with just copying the runway looks and don't always have a 'deeper meaning'. Look, as much as these celebs can pull off those looks, those are bad styling decisions and I'm the type to just throw on those are just similar enough clothes to not be eyestrain. So this part is a hesitancy for the most part and only if they have a hand like say performances and the celeb refused to be a dressing doll, for the most part, then things are gray. This is while the entire Versace on the Floor performance from Web is obviously for XZ - not singing along to any mention of a girl, miming an embrace of a taller lover with head tilt-up, the performance felt so intimate that Web is in his own world -, the clothes are a matter of gray. He may or may not have a hand in the final choice of clothes so I'll just leave it up there for now. This is why I’m dubious about Vkook’s clothes at concerts and award shows. Do they have a hand with their stylists and give the okay at the finished piece they would wear? Since their stylists would just throw them on runway looks.
So for possibly matching clothes on official events, etc is gonna be gray. When the other members have a similar style, it runs into the problem of what most people identify as a couple's behavior when it could be a friendship circle. However, sometimes jewelry or personal items can be a sign like Web's ox necklace that he wore everywhere and it's pretty easy to see just how significant it is when he refused to take it off only with XZ's insistence he did. So the Mikro rings and other matching jewelry V and JK have is a sign. Just not as crazy as Web did to show his wild loyalty and love for XZ since neither wore it everywhere they go.
BJYX are two separate idols therefore it makes it easier to identify as a couple. Eastern fanbases can actually tell whether or not their celeb may be queer or in a relationship due to the commonalities or oddities they find. Many in the Eastern fandoms who followed loads of celebs can tell you how they tell the difference before and after and the evidence that showed they are. Idols have to hide their relationships and this is not just the queers who would definitely want to show off their awesome SO and their relationship. Again, this all boils down to the rabid gf fans and homophobia that they could lose future opportunities.
In the same band, these commonalities or oddities can be easily explained away because the other members can make it evident by the number who share common things like having matching watches, especially if they know that two members are dating each other. In Exo's case, neither queer members are dating each other but other people, making it easier for the members to drop hints without backlash and people looking closer.
Because looking closer at particulars is how fans can tell. And the general public and fandom usually don't notice the oddities or commonalities except the people who follow the said trail. That's how BJYX escaped scrutiny from the general public and even their fandoms. Only if you really look closely, then you would miss it entirely. I would know since I checked BJYX out of curiosity and look at me now, a fully converted believer and supporter of their love. I'm pretty sure that not only BJYX are allies in the LGBT community but also part of it. Who knows there are probably pictures of XZ at some pride event because I wanted to attend one but didn't have the time to. I'm pretty sure Web wants to attend a pride event unless he attended one privately in Korea before debut or something. I'm pretty sure Uniq and TTXS bros know his sexuality, even Cheng Xiao. Due to their job though, they can't come out until they are respected and have enough stability that backlash won't destroy when they do come out. Unless they truly made part of their image like most queer celebs, like it's a part of them, but it doesn't define them entirely because their sexuality is only a part of them. To boil down the LGBT community to their sex and identity would mean to generalize people as simple rather than complex. Because the feelings I get from Web are the same as queers who feel no need to vocalize they are queer, comfortable being gay but not out because they felt no need to talk it out. If others can't see they are queer, then whatever, that's their problem. Then again, Web really doesn't like it when you see him as straight and he will make a point of being as gay as possible that can't be shown as being comfortable with one's heterosexuality. Seriously, he lolled his tongue sexually at a male competitor when that guy tried to use him as a straight guy prop. People explained it away as a duel boss thing when that explanation doesn't have to rule out the other possible explanation. He also lets two team members grope him during a performance and let another sit on his lap. Again, he seemed to enjoy pulling the fake kiss thing with men many times and seemed to enjoy it.
Besides, hets have their own problems that are questionable.
How about songs and song choices? It's much easier as these guys are singer-songwriters and have their choices of songs for their partners. I don't think we haven't seen any love songs come from BJYX outside of two songs that made reference to light, something BXG noted to be very similar and have commented similarly to each other but I'm putting on the lighter shade of gray evidence for now. Yet we saw song dedications that took up to level with lyrical changes that made SZD moreso because BXG knows NanHai is for GG since DD is so firm about it but now with Kepler, the definitive confirmation the song is for DD from GG, yeah... BJYXSZD everyone. There is no washing this candy though the NanHai candy can't be washed anyway. I'm pretty sure XFX and MTJJ are fuming about the songs candies...
Now BJYX does have song lyrics put on their Weibo with kadians. So something similar in the 123 theory with Taekook is totally plausible, given how the Eastern fandoms used numbers to communicate special days or messages. I am willing to believe this, especially when they kept doing it. Ahh, how I would love to use numbers for my romances because it's a secret message! It's a romance! At the same time, again BTS uses 123 so it’s not unusual but what is slipping a love song cover on someone’s birthday, someone the person singing the song knows really well.
BJYX covered lots of songs in the BTS and in the fan meets. So for BXG, these songs have strong ties to their relationships, especially when songs are placed on important trips like the Japan trips and possible anniversaries. They are singers so this is why I can believe it.
That is why I am pretty ambivalent about Taekook's choice of songs, singing, or writing cover or their own. Because songs are typically how these guys can show their true selves and feelings behind whatever they are writing down. It's a good stress reliever, especially for a music person. Even if the resulting song might not be good, the point is they got their feelings out. BTS is known for writing personal songs and has explained it, some of it vague and broad but others explained a lot unless it's really personal.
I am willing to see that yet interpretations of songs like Stigma and DNA are exactly interpretations. The difference between Nan Hai and Kepler is that the two idols explicitly changed the lyrics and later evidence shows that the songs are for each other. Unless they made it explicit while being subtle enough to fly over like Sehun and his bros did, I am going to remain on that opinion for now.
In Taekook's case, aside from saying these songs are written from their heart and perspective and things they do reveal, the other members either didn't go much into what it means. There is a possibility they might know or might not know. It might show VKook might be queer if their members do go into more. Some are weird song choices like choosing a breakup song for V from JK on one occasion when to everyone else, it's a friendship and why choose a romantic breakup song unless the guy has feelings for the other? Why let go of something when as bros you don't have to let go of anything? It’s not like the band was considering disbandment at that period.
This is why motifs and lyrics are what I look for if I do want to look for romance. For example, XZ and Web chose songs that have among other things, loneliness, rainbow, cloud, stars, and dream. For Taekook, the songs they wrote that are potentially for each other, recced, and covered have motifs in which among were fools, sins/crimes, time, young love, and leaving someone behind. I am willing to believe this since having a common theme means it's much easier to track and what it could mean for that couple. Also, I felt like an English major again, just seeing the commonalities and the analyses.
Again, I have to raise this. Friends do sing breakup songs together, especially in jest and y'know it's just a song. There is a difference between that and actually dedicating said breakup and/or longing love songs for each other. This is why Kepler/Nan Hai was such a breaking point for many to actually becoming SZD outside of CQL BTS for BJYX, especially when there was evidence of changing lyrics. While there aren't any changing lyrics in Taekook's case, there can be a case made by the songs that could be replying to each other through specific lyrics at a specific time.
Now seeking out and identifying with LGBT songs and celebs are another thing. They may identify with them and their struggles. It doesn't mean they are queer at least entirely. Just because a straight person enjoys a queer song written for another queer doesn't make them queer. It can be just the enjoyment of music. And that's not even getting actually supporting the movement. Again, XZ and Web are definitely part of the LGBT community and not just allies. I think BTS is definite allies since I do think they do mean what they said. Again, I am willing to see them as not straight, just covering all the bases of possibilities.
Then there are looks, looking at each other with adoration. BJYX is so guilty of this that MTJJ, Yibo's solo fans, complained they can't get a good picture of him when he's looking at XZ. It's gotten to a point they furiously yell why is he looking at him!? in the vicinity, captured in fancams. There are many looks directed at the other when asked innocuous questions about love, career, and the future in general. Sometimes, the remedy might be even worse than the question as GG is known to do this to questions that BXG notes are just innocent questions like knowing or not knowing what the other likes or dislikes to eat. Friends would know what friends don't like to eat and like to eat. My friends know I like mild spicy for now since I do want to build my spice tolerance while I know others don't like sweets, preferring savory and salty. It's normal for friends to know this since Liu Haikuan spilled about the food thing anyway while GG tried to hide. Why hide something so basic to a friendship? I'm pretty sure throughout BTS pre-debut run, they know what the other likes and don't like to eat.
Now VKook does have questionable looks at each other during romantic lines in their music. Heck in the All of Me - a song I have an eh reaction to and definitely not my go-to romance song - cover, they looked at each other during a song that is said to be romantic by many people and not by me. Y'know, if you're in a boyband and you're going to cover a romantic song, can you sing it to the crowd? At least XZ has a double meaning for singing Kepler even when he changed the lyrics to definitely sweeter lyrics to a lover. XZ made it a point that Kepler is for his fans and he does want to sing it for them, it's also a song for his DD, his lover. VKook? No excuse besides fanservice but given the exasperated reactions from the other members, it seems low. Though anyone would be surprised to see two men sing to each other staring into the eyes on stage singing a romance song when fanservice being common in the industrial idol stage. If it was planned and often just get laughs out of the bros making it clear fun because fanservice typically is such as in the early days with that fake head kiss; The way they reacted were exasperation and soft amusement, complete with joking handshakes. It clearly wasn’t planned.
Then there are living quarters. Now I am going to bring up not only BJYX but also Zhuliuhai. In the second location aside from Hengdian, BJYX and Zhuliuhai moved into a rumored second hotel. A second hotel that has definite honeymoon vibes and the food can only be found outside of six miles radius while in that said radius are sex shops. So yeah, definitely romantic for a couple who wants privacy.
VKook definitely shared a room together. They stated outright they were roommates in hotel rooms. Though what's weird about this is that apparently, BTS can't share that these two are roommates when y'know in their vacations they showed who roomed with who. This is basically the same thing as GG trying to remedy a problem instead of playing along with it, completely misunderstanding the situation.
Now, unlike BJYXSZD whom we know are at least intimate from their Dragon Boat date and the next morning Web's walk of shame and his brightness at Happy Camp filming that his other castmates noticed on-set and just how sexual dirty minded they can be, there are things to explain away.
BTS are humble and are used to bunking together. Anyone can look up their old dorms pics to see those close quarters. Again, due to two members dating in the same band, then the things the other members do like being comfortable in their heterosexuality and supporting the queer community. Fanservice is encouraged to idols so to anybody else, it would be fanservice that indicates they are bros either way. Two other members wore watches so another two members wearing the five-set of rings could be easily shrugged off.
When BJYX does fanservice, it comes off as awkward and nervous and only companies promote BJYX without the men's express permission. However, when BJYX and the BTS editors try to underplay their intimacy, it's over-edited and cautious. Seriously, watching the unedited footage makes it clear just how intimate they are. This is played differently with Taekook. Taekook has to hold back on touches for some reason when it's clear they do want to be affectionate to the point they are willing to use the fanservice excuse. The staff and the other members have to work overtime to underplay them. Again why stave off touching when fanservice is a thing? Bighit never actually promotes Taekook the same way they did others and they are fully aware Taekook is immensely popular. Heck, V brought up Taekook in a vlive he did with JK.
Context is important. That's why I firmly believe in BJYXSZD. To a casual person - and I would know -, XZ and Web come off as close friends. Nothing wrong with that. Before I became a converted BXG, I thought they were just good friends but only when I look at the evidence, it was when I started to believe. Unlike other RPS, this seems to be a lot of people who genuinely believe the romantic inclinations of the evidence and supports the queer couple, willing to be the clown if only to protect and show support. Alongside context, you have to really look at the evidence, a really close look, and make your own judgment. This is why couples and sexualities can be detected by fans who would catch subtle and explicit evidence. For example, the fans of Aaron Yan were completely unsurprised he's queer due to evidence only they know and it's only the dedicated fans who would compile and theorize. Whether or not other fans and non-fans actually believe it is another matter. This is why I'm diving myself into Taekook right after BJYX just so to see if my judgment is correct. Thankfully, my steps into RPS come from the thoughtful analyses of BJYX which would be helpful for my Taekook lookover. Rather than being just an outsider, I am actively participating and making my own judgments whether or not they are a couple or not.
This is why I am ambivalent about VKook overall since I don't know the context. Moments definitely need answering like that v-live that has a paywall for some reason when in other v-lives we see drunk behavior and eating so why? Why the hell would Bighit and BTS tried to distract after that infamous private convo vlive when they could've just said that it's just a conversation that is best left not for the cameras? I can see why things are questionable and I don't know if things will turn out like BJYXSZD. I still want to understand the Korean language and culture, which is why it took a while to convince me of BJYX because of languages and cultural barriers so I make an effort to understand to make my judgment. Not only that but also the idol and entertainment industry so I can make my opinion without lording over another country. I hate cultural imperialism so I made a damn effort to know things from another culture that also expanded my comprehension.
As for the marriage, keeping marriages, even symbolic ones, should be easy in Korea, especially for a queer couple. Let's just say they have a private symbolic ceremony since even Chen hid his wedding from the public eye so it should be easy for any idol to hide their marriages, only inviting their closest friends and family. Seriously, as for the cake, I could see them ordering a customized cake with their preferred flavors. Really, it should be easy when they're rich, and having a celebratory cake should be easy to order. Though considering how used they were to eating cheap stuff and humble eateries, I don't think they're used to having money now, even when they bought apartments for themselves. Because sudden fame and money would make one feel discombobulated.
I do think BJYX considered eloping or having a destination wedding because like Wangxian, they aren't the types to wait too long and probably have no obligation to anyone else's happiness but theirs. XZ may want someone to wait for him but I think even waiting for too long is not going to do it. Probably engaged at this point by the ring - promise ring? engagement ring? - on XZ's necklace that we won't see but many agree it's a ring. In China, it's well-known that the queer community preferred to elope in another country than to wait for gay marriage to come to fruition, probably not wanting to wait any longer than needed whereas the Korean LGBT community are willing to wait till the gay marriage law becomes official thus the symbolic marriages. Much in the same fashion of having no obligation to anyone else's happiness but their own, I can see Vkook doing the same with their ceremony.
It's much easier for the Korean queers to hide, especially if they wish to be private. Overseas weddings or elopements, especially for celebs, would be discovered relatively easily and won't be able to hide. For the most part. Weddings seemed to be easy for celebs to hide in Korea.
Like I said before, Asian celebs must gain respect first before coming out to the public. That way they won’t lose future opportunities. We got the time frame of when BJYX could come out at ages 35 and 29. As famous as they are and people still have their eye on them even after CQL ended, it would take a while for them to come out without losing everything.
As for Vkook, judging by Break Your Silence, moments of vulnerability BTS allowed themselves as well as their songs, I can see the two coming out before disbanding because disbandment seems like it’s inevitable for the group who probably wanted to stay together as long as they wanted to but knew they have to let go voluntarily or not. Sorry for bringing up the sad topic but the point is that I see the boys coming to themselves, showing who they are to the public, and growing into their best selves and that might include disbanding. A part of showing their best and true selves would be coming out and BTS seems to be the type who would throw South Korea to disarray when their songs are already game-changers for Korean music and criticized South Korea for many things through music. So yeah, if any members are coming out with the backing of BigHit, expect it to happen not too soon but in the near future. For them, it’s not only for their emotional well-being but also to spark change as they are famous celebs in positions of power. That I hope they still kept that power because who knows the public homeland and worldwide reaction would be.
Edit: The group wants to stay together as long as they can so I don't know forward what will happen. Maybe they'll come out years into the future. They are private and together most of the time so that would be harder. They want to change and SK is increasingly conservative when SK got the polls about the young men who are conservative. BTS has a lot of influence and they could push for change in ways. So I guess BTS could move things in ways they hope are positive. Seriously, if any member chose to come out, then I'll watch the world go up in shock while I eat popcorn. It doesn't have to be Taekook. It could be Yoongi or RM.
Because celebs who come out young have to be subtle like Izone’s Sakura who hasn’t officially come out but hinted at it else she would've been on the open queer idols list by now or made it part of their image like Holland doesn’t have the same popularity. So coming out young in their mid-twenties give or take a couple years when most other celebs won’t come out till their mid-thirties at best is gonna throw things to hell in a handbasket. Really, when most het celebs won’t marry till their thirties, that’s the best time frame I could see Asian celebs coming out without backlash if they have respect backing them. Though that’s not saying much since backlash is going to happen.
So I guess I have to toast to them for even thinking about this so I will throw back the hardest sake I own just for them when the time comes. Because if they really plan that and the public reaction is visceral, I need a drink while celebrating whatever chaos was made. I mean I already planned to eat Chongqing hotpot on the day BJYX comes out and/or has their wedding so I might celebrate Vkook with chimaek. I need beer for whatever they’re going to do and fried chicken, while not a fave of mine (sorry, Keith!), I can eat it well enough even though fried foods are so far down the list I like to eat though I definitely enjoy popcorn chicken.
Besides the looks on the faces of gf fans as well as western fans and media alike are gonna be glorious, especially if Jungkook reveals his first love and the man he loves is none other than his ‘brother’ Taehyung whom he fell for nearly at first sight. Shatter those gf y/n dreams, you two! I know V doesn’t like that aspect and did what he could to discourage it but the finishing blow that the two of you are planning a symbolic marriage in the future will destroy those gf dreams forever! This is the same way I see Web with his coming out because he’s in the public eye as a tv host for a popular weekly variety show while XZ might maintain his popularity through his genuine efforts as an actor and singer. Still, Web is a variety show host so he’s gonna shatter those gf dreams! Just like ‘hyung’ though in this case it’s used platonically, Zhan-‘ge’ aka the same gege that Chinese uses for their SO not the one to describe older bro is going to break the minds of gf fans and people who thought of them as close friends ala Uniq and DDU. There is a joke Web is collecting a gege harem. You don’t know how I love queer celebs not just het to smash those fantasies!
Man, why just by chance the RPS I fell into the rabbit hole happened to have love at first sight yet escalating attraction that the people around them and the companies they worked to see it for what it is. And yet done the similar strategies (separation/muting of public interactions for their safety and career yet found a way to explain such a thing to the public who don’t exactly follow or scrutinized everything) but seemingly planned the rest of their lives? Now I am just wanting the hardest liquor in the house for accidentally falling into this rabbit hole and cry that I’m a goner in these fandoms since I feel like I’m going crazy with just discussing the logistics - just thinking of the percentages on the chances makes me cry because I thought I left math behind in college - and my intuition is screaming with emotions going off like fireworks. Thankfully, I entered the thoughtful side of the fandoms because it had been smooth sailing for several months now.
I will consider more evidence and write more in future posts. I seriously feel like I need to do that just to parse my feelings and thoughts. Maybe I'll write about Zhuliuhai next, who knows since I still need more info about those guys to decide because I'm certainly BJYXSZD. For now, just place Zhuliuhai on the same boat as VKook for now. While BJYX is the most popular CP on Weibo, Zhuliuhai is lowkey so it would be harder to seek out data without getting misinformation and mistranslations. Because that's the thing when international fans don't have the data the original fanbase does. Because Zhuliuhai isn't scrutinized like BJYX and Taekook, things might slip through the edges while the other two have swiftly collected everything just to explain why they are a couple in the place.
I'm pretty sure now that the reason MTJJ and XFX hate BJYX because they have that info and BXG insiders that were there at the filming kept the most incriminating BTS footage. It's kind of an open secret yet also a secret because well they need to 'protect' their future for now since only if their idol chose to come out in the future because coming out now will not make any future opportunities open to them. I actually haven’t seen either solos making a fuss about excuses for hours now since new incriminating CQL BTS was released from fansites. Maybe BJYXSZD finally defeated homophobia for their solos and the stans at least once and for all.
I know I have discussed BJYX at length but I do have to comment on Zhuliuhai. I haven't seen enough to seriously consider the possibility. But if they are a real couple, then the CQL production team and MXTX had not only helped one couple to get together but two couples, queer to boot. The stars aligned for XZ and Web, so maybe they are also laid for Zhuliuhai. Maybe.
I seriously wondered if XZ sent thank you gift baskets to MXTX and CQL producers with his homemade baked goods. Because I would if they were part of the reason I met the love of my life. Seriously, starring in the Bachelor franchise and actually finding love can happen if relatively low-ish. But the point is they are part of the reason why I even met the love of my life and I would want to thank them. Look, even if they met before as in the case of BJYX who met up in DDU, the very show that only a year prior Web became the youngest host of, meaning Web and XZ have to also be grateful to whoever suggested XNine comes to DDU. Again, fate is looking out for these two and I wish them all the happiness in the world.
Yes, it's funny that CQL and MXTX would be responsible for two queer couples who found the love of their lives in each other and I'm pretty sure MXTX and the MDZS fandom would have fun faces to look at when BJYX comes out in the future. Especially the fandom who will realize that romance on the set situation did happen and that the fans aren't delusional.
Okay, so I may have said about two couples. Again, I don't know enough about Zhuliuhai to judge for myself. I can judge for myself about BJYX and Taekook for the massively compiled info from the Tumblr blogs who followed the two stars and their relationship. When I don't have all the info that isn't misinterpreted and obviously misinformation - fake rumors that stands as rumors only, cultural notes, etc. I am open to the possibility of Taekook being an actual couple just as I am open to the possibility Sehun and Suho are gay and bi. I just want to wait for now until I jump into the pool via diving board over something that really tipped me over. Because there were many things that tipped me over little by little but it was the new BTS that truly pushed me over the edge like really pushed me. So you can say I am on the diving board, for now, not the ladder, but the actual board, slowly moving when I see real evidence that cannot be explained in either a heterosexual manner or explained cultural meaning that has meaning. Because cultural meaning is important and it will help in exploring how the LGBT community is in the country.
Again, I know people dismiss queer couples that have so much evidence of being a couple because of homophobia and the belief of fanservice among bros but mostly homophobia. They would rather believe bros than lovers. However, they didn't consider that being friends, best friends is a great foundation for any romantic relationship. But at the same time, being best friends doesn't necessitate being in a romantic relationship. I don't expect my cousin to get together with her best friend besides that they're straight. The Take explained this well with the Monica/Chandler relationship dynamic comparing it to Rachel/Joey, as two sets of best friends but one found the transition to a romance who worked for that romance.
I think people forget the couples do treat each other like best friends.
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