BTS’ Jungkook’s birthday billboard pulled down in Pakistan for ‘promoting homosexuality’

South Korean K-pop band’s youngest vocalist Jeon Jungkook turned 24 recently and, of course, the BTS ARMY had to go all out celebrating the birthday of the ‘Golden Maknae’. BTS, short for Bangtan Sonyeondan, is a seven member band formed in 2010. Their fan following is massive, making them the most popular boy band in the world currently. So, it is only natural for the ARMY to celebrate their birthdays with gusto. A few fans in Pakistan had bought a billboard for two days to celebrate Jungkook’s birthday on September 1. However, it was taken down citing that it promoted homosexuality.

“Happy 24th Birthday”, “Jungkook BTS Gujranwala ARMY ” was written on the yellow-coloured billboard, featuring a photograph of Jungkook clad in the outfit he wore at the launch of their biggest hit ‘Butter’. 

The billboard was hung up in Gujranwala, Pakistan. Interestingly, it was purchased with the permission of the Chamber of Commerce. However, it was still taken down within a day by a provincial assembly candidate and member of the Islamist political party Jamaat-e-Islami. Stating that it was brought to his attention on Facebook, he told VICE World News. “We received a lot of complaints from people. There was so much commotion. There are young people in this city. This group (BTS) has a negative influence on them and encourages them to behave in wrong activities. They promote homosexuality.”

Fans were outraged and could not make sense of the reason behind taking the billboard down. They took to Twitter to express their anger. 

It has become painfully common for those unfamiliar with industry’s male beauty standards to criticize K-pop stars for wearing fashionable clothes and makeup. Sadly, despite their unparalleled global  success as the biggest musical act from South Korea in recent years, BTS is often subjected to judgement and criticism, forcing them to deal with many taboos and prejudices. Along with their smashing records and other achievements like speaking at the United Nations, they have been appointed cultural ambassadors of South Korea.