BTS’s V Faces Public Scrutiny and Netizen Backlash Following Assertion on Personal Messages Utilized in Courtroom

The continuing authorized warfare between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin has pulled a high-profile determine into its epicenter, leading to a sophisticated public relations state of affairs for BTS member V (Kim Taehyung).

On February 20, 2026, V discovered himself on the middle of a heated on-line debate after he posted an Instagram story addressing the usage of his non-public KakaoTalk messages as proof within the Min Hee Jin vs. HYBE lawsuit.

Whereas V meant to make clear his neutrality and categorical his discomfort relating to a privateness breach, the response from the Korean on-line group has been notably divisive, with many netizens directing scathing criticism towards the idol.

The Assertion That Sparked the Controversy

The state of affairs started when courtroom paperwork from the shareholder settlement lawsuit revealed that V had beforehand messaged Min Hee Jin relating to the plagiarism allegations involving the group ILLIT. In line with reviews, V’s message said:

“(About how plagiarism accusations at all times come up and are by no means absent) Yeah… I do know, proper. I additionally checked out it and thought, ‘Ah, that is comparable…’”

In response to the media storm following this revelation, V posted a message on Instagram to set the report straight:

“This was a part of a personal, on a regular basis dialog I shared out of empathy as a result of she was an acquaintance of mine. I had completely no intention of taking both facet. Nevertheless, I really feel very shocked that this dialog was submitted as proof with out my consent.”

Though his assertion sought to emphasise that he was merely being supportive of an acquaintance (Min Hee Jin, who directed his Layover album), the general public’s response was swift and significant.

Netizen Backlash: “Take It Up With HYBE”

Shortly after his publish, discussions on Korean group platforms like theqoo turned bitter. A good portion of the backlash centered on the concept V’s frustration relating to the “lack of consent” for his messages getting used as proof needs to be directed at his personal company, HYBE, reasonably than being aired on social media.

Some netizens argued that since HYBE was the social gathering that reportedly submitted the proof to courtroom through the litigation course of, V’s public criticism felt misplaced.

Commenters expressed their frustration with numerous sentiments, starting from disappointment to outright anger. One netizen remarked,

“Go and take it up with Bang Si Hyuk,” suggesting {that a} public Instagram story was not the suitable venue for a grievance towards inner firm dealing with.

One other scathing remark learn:

“Then you’ll be able to go speak about it with HYBE LOL. HYBE’s the one which launched the non-public KakaoTalk messages. Since HYBE’s the one who submitted all of the proof to courtroom, go name Bang PD as a substitute of posting on Instagram.”

Considerations Over Model Picture and Unintended Publicity

The backlash additionally touched upon the broader implications of V’s publish. Some critics argued that by addressing the state of affairs publicly, V inadvertently introduced extra consideration to a controversial case that many individuals have been beforehand unaware of.

“By posting it on Instagram, individuals who didn’t even learn about this now know in regards to the case,” one person identified, suggesting that the transfer was a strategic mistake that harmed his personal picture and that of his group.

Moreover, some customers took V’s affirmation that the messages have been “on a regular basis dialog” as an admission that he genuinely agreed with the plagiarism claims towards a junior group underneath the identical father or mother firm. One remark said:

“So it’s a truth that you simply agreed with them being comparable LOL. I feel it was a mistake making a publish about this.”

Essentially the most excessive reactions even concerned followers threatening to depart the fandom, with one publish stating,

“Makes me need to throw away all my BTS merch at house,” particularly citing the group’s silence on previous controversies like sajaegi (chart manipulation) allegations in comparison with V’s quickness to defend his private privateness.

A Advanced Place for the World Star

Whereas many followers (ARMY) have jumped to V’s protection, arguing that he’s a sufferer of a privateness breach no matter who submitted the proof, the “scathing backlash” highlighted by Koreaboo illustrates the skinny line idols should stroll.

V’s try to say his private boundaries-stating he was “deeply disturbed” by means of his non-public words- has been reinterpreted by critics as a scarcity of loyalty or a lapse in skilled judgment.

Because the authorized battle between Min Hee Jin and HYBE continues to unfold, this incident serves as a stark reminder of how the non-public interactions of idols will be weaponized in company disputes, usually leaving the artists to face the brunt of public opinion, no matter their unique intent.

For V, what was meant to be a easy act of “sharing empathy” has reworked into a significant level of competition throughout the Ok-pop business’s present panorama.