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Jungkook expresses frustration over censorship in pulled Weverse live

Published: 26 Feb. 2026, 14:36 Updated: 26 Feb. 2026, 17:19

KIM JU-YEON
[email protected]

Jungkook of boy band BTS speaks in a video livestreamed on Weverse on Feb. 26. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Jungkook of BTS talked about feeling frustrated and constrained in a livestream with fans, which raised eyebrows in Korea's online community for his drinking and use of expletives.

The singer started the video on fan platform Weverse in the early hours of Thursday, where he was shown drinking with other people. The video has since been removed from the app.

He touched on various topics during the 88-minute video, including preparations for BTS's upcoming album, his past smoking habit and motivation to work as a K-pop artist.

At times, he appeared to express frustration at being censored by the public or by his agency over his actions and words. He used occasional expletives while expressing his emotions,

“I want to talk about smoking. I don’t smoke now. But why can’t I talk about it? I’m 30 now," he said.

“I quit after making a huge effort. I’d like to talk about that as well, but the moment I do, the company will make a big fuss," he said.

"Tomorrow the members will probably [chastise me], and the company will say something too," he said. “I’m someone who wants to be honest, and if I’ve done something wrong, I want to admit it. I can’t talk about it directly, though, because it’s a sensitive issue."

After talking at length about his motivation for his K-pop activities, Jungkook said he did his job — singing, dancing and writing songs — "not because I’m free to do them, but because of the waiting [fans]."

“I’ve always wanted to be honest with ARMY. Honestly, if it weren’t for the company, I would have said everything.”

“I’m someone who makes music, I’m an idol, and I’m at the center of K-pop. If I were a solo artist, just someone making music on my own, I probably wouldn’t worry about it and would just say what I want to say." he said.

Tourists pose for a photo in front of a promotion for BTS's new album, ″Arirang,″ at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Jan. 22. [YONHAP]

He uploaded a notice on Weverse asking fans to look forward to BTS's upcoming album, "Arirang," after concluding the video.

Clips of the video circulated widely on social media on Thursday. His use of profanity and display of drinking did not sit well with some fans in Korea, where celebrities are scrutinized and held to strict standards. Others came to his defense, expressing concern about possible conflicts with the company.

Jungkook's outburst comes less than a month before BTS is scheduled to launch its fifth full-length album on March 20 — the band's first release after three years and nine months of hiatus.

The Grammy-nominated band, known for hits like "Dynamite" (2020) and "Butter" (2022), will kick off its biggest world tour with a concert in Goyang, Gyeonggi, on April 9.

BY KIM JU-YEON [[email protected]]