It is no coincidence that people often say the entertainment industry is a complicated world. Behind the glamorous lights lie silent rivalries, conflicting interests, and, at times, unpredictable manipulation. Many past examples have shown that public figures can easily become targets of calculated takedown campaigns designed to drag down their image and influence.

Given BTS’s leading status in K-pop, ARMYs are fully aware that the group is naturally the number-one target of hostile forces, which have long been wary of BTS’s overwhelming influence and unrivaled position within the industry. That is also why countless false rumors and large-scale waves of hostility often erupt on social media aiming to diminish the group’s reputation and lessen public affection, especially whenever BTS prepares to release a new album.

At this moment, the timing seems particularly favorable for haters and hostile groups to intensify their efforts, as there is only one month left until spring 2026—the time when BTS is expected to return after three years of military service. Large-scale smear attempts are anticipated by haters to cool down the rising global attention currently surrounding the K-pop superstars.

As many ARMYs predicted, fans have noticed a number of suspicious signs suggesting the existence of a coordinated, large-scale hostile campaign—possibly even a paid one—aimed at damaging BTS’s image, especially Jungkook in recent weeks.

Specifically, fans have been tracking multiple social media accounts that posted negative content about BTS members, ranging from baseless rumors to AI-fabricated information related to health issues, νισℓєи¢є, or private matters. They noticed that these anonymous accounts shared similar patterns: created only 2–3 months ago with 10–1,000 followers, spreading the same types of rumors, and, most suspiciously, deactivating almost simultaneously after “completing their tasks.”

According to observations circulating within the fandom, this behavior resembles “clocking in and clocking out” of a coordinated operation. This has caused fans to suspect that these accounts might be controlled by a single source or possibly paid to disseminate defamatory content about Jungkook and BTS.

Moreover, negative posts from these newly created accounts routinely reach thousands, tens of thousands, and even millions of views, despite the accounts being nearly empty and lacking prior engagement. This is what prompts ARMY to raise the question: if this is not targeted harαѕѕment, then what is it? It's clearly a paid campaign, carefully prepared long in advance, with the aim of sabotaging BTS’s return—while Jungkook is conveniently framed as the “easy culprit.”

Meanwhile, some fans also warn that these suspicious accounts likely deactivate temporarily to avoid ARMY scrutiny and to prevent being mαѕѕ-reported and permanently suspended. They then reactivate whenever more “fuel” needs to be added to the hostility directed at the K-pop superstars.

In response to this situation, the fandom has quickly issued a call to action consisting of two key points:

- Absolute support for BTS: stream music, boost searches, trend positive hashtags, and send messages of love to Jungkook and the members on social media.

- No interaction with negativity, because what haters want most is attention. Just report, block, and ignore.

Around this developing situation, ARMYs are also actively sharing opinions and holding discussions across global online platforms:

- So… let’s say they deactivated. The question now is: what or who’s next? These people are pathetic losers..

- The closer BTS gets to a comeback, the more desperate these tactics become. They just can’t stand the idea of BTS taking the spotlight away from their favorites.

- those so-called кσяєαn accounts that joined the Jungkook dating rumors w winter and hate train deactivated at the same time after doing their part… girl this is insane. This was paid.

- Honestly, none of this is surprising. Every single time BTS prepares to come back, these large-scale smear attempts pop up. So please be alert and keep calm!

- Obviously paid person/people. Trolls, haters, whatever you label them. May they all get what they deserve, ASAP.

- Someone in the industry just cant swallow the fact that despite their efforts to destroy BTS.... they just cant... so you can see these premeditated attacks are getting more and more obvious and desperate.

- Many Reddit users have stepped forward, admitting their involvement in this coordinated effort to spread false rumors about BTS', revealing that they chose to participate as volunteers, receiving no pay per hour, unlike those who were hired months earlier as part of the scheme.

- I hope this is a wake up call for those who are waiting for Jungkook to speak up, cos ik they are, he shouldn't have tibrespond to every baseless rvmour and therefore encourage these h@te trains against him, cos the second they get a response theyll get worse

- They only deactivated it to avoid being suspended. anyway, this is a warning to army! we need to unite streams, votes and reports in a single fanbase to not losing focus and also to reach all fandom when these hate train happen preventing it from getting out of control again.

- They were emote spamming controversy topics like crazy for three days straight and seeing whatever sticks

- Certain people are тєяяιfιє∂ that BTS will overshadow their faves again. These campaigns are literally predictable at this point