In February 2026, a seismic shift is shaking the map of South кσяєα’s entertainment industry. The era of “perfect” idols—once believed to survive on nothing but morning dew—is gradually coming to a close, making way for the age of “real human beings” — individuals willing to expose the flaws they once tried to hide and the rαωєst emotions they once filtered out.
The single keyword running through the major entertainment upheavals of recent days is undoubtedly “radical honesty and survival.” Instead of perfectly packaged display cases, stars are now willing to step into the mud or lay bare their own darker sides.
The most symbolic incident was Jungkook’s late-night livestream. A top pop star in his 30s openly admitted to smoking on camera, expressed frustration over strict control, and casually joked with friends using profanity and crude gestures.
His broadcast was met with intense backlash then. Some netizens rushed to criticize him: “Would he have acted like this back when he was desperate to manage his fandom?”, “If you want to say whatever you want, you shouldn’t be an idol,” “A profession that thrives on fantasy requires a matching attitude,” “Would he have done this during his rookie days?”, and “When did he change this much?”
However, that was not the prevailing sentiment among the majority of fans and other netizens. On the contrary, the fragile honesty of “Jeon Jungkook the human being” — a rebel pushing back against a society that forces him to be a flawless doll — created deep empathy. Alongside this came a shift in the public’s perception of the K-entertainment industry as one that often lacks humanity toward its artists.
In this context, a past statement by SUGA resurfaced as a particularly representative remark. The BTS rapper once said: “The thing about idols is that we don’t have to commit a crime or do soмєтнing that’s controversial for people to blow little things out of proportion and judge us. I could never understand the mentality of those people.”
SUGA’s words strike directly at the core issue: the public and the entertainment system often treat normal personal behaviors (such as drinking alcohol, smoking, or expressing dissatisfaction) as if they were grave “crimes.” Ordinary matters of adulthood become distorted through the lens of “idols must be perfect.” Only those in positions like SUGA and Jungkook can truly understand the pressure of having every breath and every word placed under a microscope.
When Jungkook said, “I’m human too,” during the livestream, he was inadvertently answering SUGA’s question why people "blow little things out of proportion and judge”. That exaggeration is the price of being turned into a “branded commodity” representing corporate value and the expectations of millions, rather than being recognized as an independent individual.
The resurgence of SUGA’s statement going viral shows that au∂ιєnces are beginning to recognize BTS’s awakening. SUGA uses logic to critique the system, while Jungkook uses lived experience and explosive emotion to challenge it. Both are striving to widen the “breathing space” not only for themselves but for future generations of artists, αѕѕerting that living truthfully is not a crime.
On one hand, SUGA questions the world around him; on the other, Jungkook hesitantly asks, "How many people in this world can be truly honest?" These two questions converge at one point: honesty in the idol industry is a courageous yet risky act.
But genuine fans no longer consume meticulously manufactured “fantasies” crafted by management companies. They place their trust in — and feel drawn to — flαωєd human beings: people who can be hurt, who can feel anger, who may rebel in rough and imperfect ways, and who strive to break free from reality at all costs. They support BTS members speaking from the heart and tearing open the glossy wrapping of the entertainment industry.
By 2026, it is time for the public to adjust its mindset: truly supporting someone means accepting even their most ordinary, human sides! SUGA’s statement is currently receiving a great deal of support from netizens:
- Literally the truth of the industry. Min Yoongi's iconic for this and say it louder Jungkook
- It’s just that idols are often viewed as perfect humans, the judges are not 10/10 yet they expect idols to be just that. BTS, you didn’t do anything wrong, you’re just being human. BTS deserves better
- People?? Babe I think you’re meant to say "кσяєαns" cuz WE are fine. REAL ARMYS ARE ALWAYS HERE AND SUPPORT YOU
- Idols are singers and artist, we love them for their personality (what is shown by them) and talent... they give us some motivations and we love them... but we have to remember they are humans like us, they are not saints...we have to have boundaries
- Very True , sad to see you really can’t enjoy what we sometimes take for granted
- Fact. Tell ‘em Yoongi. Like Jungkook said, “Artists are not guilty.”
