BTS member Jimin’s chubby-cheeked comeback charms fans as he mentions Jung Kook’s vanished account
BTS' Jimin / Yonhap
BTS member Jimin has resumed social media activity for the first time in nearly a year and a half following his military discharge, delighting fans with new photos — and a subtle nod to fellow member Jung Kook’s now-deleted account.
On June 12, just a day after completing his mandatory military service, Jimin uploaded several photos to his official social media account. The images showed him in uniform with a close-cropped military haircut, exuding a stronger, more masculine presence. His visibly broader shoulders and confident poses reflected the physical transformation he underwent during service.
BTS member Jimin / Captured from Jimin's social media
BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook / Captured from Jimin's social media
BTS member Jimin posted photos of awards, certificates, personal letters and mementos from fellow soldiers / Captured from Jimin's social media
Alongside photos of certificates, personal letters and mementos from fellow soldiers, Jimin also shared an image with Jung Kook, who was discharged the same day. The photo, shared via his story, included the caption, “Kkukkku, you did well, but there’s no account to tag,” referencing Jung Kook’s now-deleted Instagram account.
Jung Kook, who had amassed over 52 million followers on his personal account since its creation in 2021, deleted the page in February 2023. While rumors initially circulated that the account may have been hacked, Jungkook clarified that he simply chose to leave the platform, saying, “It wasn’t hacked. I just stopped using it, so I deleted it.”
Currently, Jung Kook maintains only one official Instagram account dedicated to his pet dog, Bam, which boasts over 7.5 million followers.
Jimin, who enlisted in December alongside Jung Kook, had remained largely out of the public eye since then. Prior to enlistment, he had actively promoted his solo album “Face” and took part in several performances. His return to social media, paired with heartfelt images and tributes to his service, sparked an outpouring of excitement and emotional messages from fans worldwide.
This article was edited and updated at 3:27 p.m., June 16, to correct factual errors. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and is edited by The Korea Times.