In K-pop culture, the concept of “solo stan” is no longer unfamiliar to fans. These are fans who support only one member of a group rather than the group as a whole. To a certain extent, focusing on a single individual is not inherently negative—everyone has the right to choose the idol they like the most.

However, problems begin to arise when a portion of solo stans become extreme. Instead of simply supporting their favorite idol, they frequently attack other members of the group, friends, or even anyone αѕѕociated with their stan. In addition, there are ongoing “conflicts” between individual fanbases, between solo stans and multi stans, which make the fandom environment increasingly toxic.

A recent example is when RM simply gave an example to illustrate the кσяєαn word “jeong”: “We've also formed a lot of jeong with ARMY...Let's say Jungkook suddenly did soмєтнing kind of odd. There are times when Jungkook is annoying, but you've still formed so much jeong for him.” Although there was no negative intent, the remark still led to a wave of criticism from a portion of Jungkook’s solo stans.

Jin has also repeatedly become a “victim” of this toxic fan culture since returning with BTS. While some of his own solo stans have urged him to leave the group, claiming that other members disrespected him during the production of the album ARIRANG, solo stans of other members, on the other hand, have attacked Jin with inappropriate comparisons, belittled his abilities, and claimed that he negatively affects their idol.

Importantly, this issue is not limited to fan communities—idols themselves are also aware of the tension caused by solo stans. Jin has even revealed his own fear of this negative group of fans through an incident on the reality show Handsome Guys.

Specifically, when asked to introduce other BTS members who would fit the concept of the show, Jin chose V and Jungkook because both of them eat very well and share a close relationship, often teasing each other—perfectly matching the image of “handsome guys” that the program aims for. At that moment, athlete Oh Sang Wook joked, "I'm 96. Anyway, anyone younger than me can just come on [the show]", after learning that Jungkook was born in 1997.

However, Jin immediately “warned” him in a half-joking, half-serious manner: “The fans are scary. That's why I don't speak carelessly to Jungkook either".

Although Jin did not give any direct explanation of what he meant by “fans can be scary,” many speculated that he was referring to criticism from solo stans—those who may overreact to even seemingly harmless remarks about their favorite idol.

In an environment where every word can be scrutinized and interpreted in multiple ways, maintaining a balance between friendship, work, and fan expectations becomes a significant challenge. And when even a veteran member like Jin has to be cautious with his words, it further highlights how complex and sensitive solo stan culture in K-pop has become today.

Many fans and netizens have expressed frustration, saying that solo stans have forced idols to remain guarded and less natural in the way they speak and interact with each other, commenting:

- I hope they never shape their relationships around what someone sitting 2000 miles away have to say. The solos really ruined it all

- it’s actually lowkey нєαятвяєαкιиg that SEOKJIN is saying the fans are scary so even he’s careful of how he speaks to jungkook??? HIS jungkook?? who he raised to be his BEST GODDAMN FRIEND?

- And this clearly shows members know what those solos do. How they drag other members over a small mention of their bias,

- “The fans are scary. That's why I don't speak carelessly to Jungkook either.” he didn’t say armys, we know whom he referring to

- It is sad to see members acknowledging the fact they can't freely talk each other because of scary fans who attack them for everything...

- People мιѕѕιиg the point. It’s insane that Seokjin has to watch how he interacts with Jungkook. Like that’s his baby brother! I dislike some parts of fandoms

- "Fans are scary" i bet all the tannies know by now about useless akgaes

- it’s saddening how even jin knows that tae and jk fans are scary

- I hope he know those are not fans but fяєαкin solos.. i don't want any of them to change the way they interact with each other bcs of those haters

- I love the way Ham ham talks about Taetor tot and boba like a mom who has been watching her kids grow up their entire lives and knows their personality exactly.

- The difference between fans and ARMY...poor jin, he knows and it breaks my heart that he can't even be really free with the members because of some "fans"