The long-anticipated K-Drama inspired by the alternative universe of BTS’s HYYH era, BEGINS ≠ YOUTH, recently premiered, spiking interest among ARMYs.
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.
this was SO out of character!!! cein baby they did you dirty,,, im sure yoongi would never approve this line saying you’re straight #BeginsYouth pic.twitter.com/mADv951B3O
— sorry bae (@ymhots) May 2, 2024
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.
the way they're treating it is borderline homophobic too like what do you mean "talk from over there" WHY DID THEY DO THIS i fucking hate who ever wrote this scene and hybe https://t.co/H70LUGjYBG
— ♡𝑎𝑐𝑒🏳️🌈⁷♡ (@ac3ofh3arts03) May 2, 2024
this genuinely pissed me off… if the boys actually had a hand in this it would have been achingly queercoded https://t.co/AeMHwEluWe
— boob lover (@lesbianthv) May 3, 2024
this is the biggest load of horseshit I've ever seen. why go and spoil a beautiful story by forcibly removing queer context. this is not the authentic hyyh message that the original conveyed so well without the straightwashing. what a waste of like 5 years anticipation for this.. https://t.co/3rUiyvghS2
— luma⁷∞ (@gummyhoba) May 3, 2024
it’s not even the fact that they made him straight that’s pissing me off, it’s the fact that they made him HOMOPHOBIC ??? https://t.co/Gp2vcGQWAJ
— Liv⁷ (@skooliviaffair) May 3, 2024
Casual homophobia in a BTS show is an insane choice and to have it be Yoongi's character is even more evil. https://t.co/LqPlFrjbgi
— JJ🪐NG (@J00NSBESTIE) May 3, 2024
the implicit homophobia in the disgust at the idea of liking other men?? it’s 2024 and kdramas are still using queerness as a plot device for comedic relief.. like pls https://t.co/4En4cHkUaV
— beeks (@beeksyy) May 3, 2024
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.
i really hope it's an internalized homophobia thing arc going on and not them actually making hyyh yoongi straight https://t.co/9gI0baXwiY
— meri⁷ (@blissjimin) May 3, 2024
hybe really said
pic.twitter.com/jzh346V2Q2 https://t.co/ho4cvVE5up
— vanteism⁷🫧 (@chosoren) May 3, 2024
idk why any of yall expected any queerness from this show 😭 its true that majority of the intl fanbase would overwhelmingly support it but hybe only really cares abt pleasing their korean fans and gp https://t.co/kzCxjx1Jax
— joy⁷ (@flwryjoony) May 3, 2024
