Although ARIRANG has recently achieved remarkable success on international charts, behind-the-scenes stories about the album’s production and the group have seemingly become an even hotter topic of discussion. Among them is the question of the members’ bond—particularly the relationship between Jin and the rest of the group.

The allegations began when fans noticed that Jin did not appear in any of the songwriting or production credits for the tracks on ARIRANG, while every other member was listed as a lyricist or composer on at least one song. Although some evidence later suggested that the songwriting camp overlapped with his tour schedule—making his absence understandable—negative speculation still began to surface.

Soon after, during a live broadcast on the day ARIRANG was released, when BTS members mentioned that Jin had not been deeply involved in the album’s creative process, some viewers interpreted their comments as blaming or even hurting him. Specifically, RM remarked that if Jin’s tour had ended earlier, he might have been able to participate more, while Jimin and V expressed regret and explained that overlapping schedules and health issues made it difficult for him to be involved.

As if that weren’t enough, a recent article citing a BTS documentary added fuel to the fire. The report mentioned Jin’s absence from many stages of the music-making process and described the moment when the members reunited with him for the first time at a songwriting camp in the U.S. after he finished his schedule. Some highlighted excerpts included: “SUGA explains that most of the album is already done” and “Jin laughs and says, ‘I don’t know why I’m here.’”

All of these details sparked heated debates about how BTS treats Jin, as well as the group’s long-standing image of being a “family.” Some even claimed that Jin has always been a good older brother, but they do not see the others as good younger members, or went as far as to argue that the group’s relationship is fake and fractured.

However, when the documentary BTS: The Return was released, things began to become clearer. Most notably, Jin firmly stated: “In LA, when I reunited with the members, I didn’t feel like colleagues, but more like seeing family I hadn’t seen in a while.”

In another scene from the documentary, Jin confided in Jungkook: “Ever get that feeling? You’re home but it doesn’t feel like home? It’s like I’m home, but I still miss home… you get me?” He even asked if, once they returned to кσяєα, he could come over to Jungkook’s place. Jin also suggested that Jungkook share his house pαѕѕword or register his fingerprint so he could visit anytime, offering him the same privilege in return.

Jin’s words served as a decisive blow that cut through all the recent rumors about tension within the group. His use of the word “reunited,” the contrast between “colleagues” and “family,” and his description of “мιѕѕιиg home even while being at home” all demonstrate how much he values the members’ presence—directly affirming that his feelings toward them have not changed.

Meanwhile, one fan commented: “What was misconstrued and twisted was simply far from the truth.” OP also cited a scene from the documentary as evidence, commenting: “When Jin was having a hard time, Taehyung pestered him until he fessed up to what was bothering him. Taehyung then proceeded to comfort and cheer up Jin, offering him words of encouragement and physical love. You will never understand their bond, and you will never paint Taehyung as a villain when he loves his hyung so much.”

At the same time, other fans also spoke up to defend the bond between BTS members, arguing that the media and a portion of extreme fans are the ones making the group’s relationship appear fractured or “fake,” commenting:

- That's why i hate solo stans so much. It is normal to have a bias but when you started to hate the people who have been together with your bias for a very long time, who went through all the sh*ts in this world together, that's a mental ∂ιѕєαѕє. Toxic behavior.

- Yall cant make any BTS member be villain, they all have the same high of emotional intellegence to not care and know each other

- Others can never understand BTS bond cos they’ve never been loved in their lives. That is why they live and breathe negativity. They don’t care abt their so-called favs, only to use them for clout and paint them as a perpetual victim. Yall will stay miserable and burn for this

- You guys always twist up their words as per ur own convenience and narratives when you get slapped hard with facts

- They can cooked up the story But can’t change the fact that Jin & BTS members love each other and they known each other for 13 years.

- You and your minions are describing yourselves perfectly. You’ve been spreading lies and putting members in a bad light.Yep, there’s no cure for people like you who live on jealousy and misery.

- People really took things out of context… the documentary clearly shows Jin's thought and BTS's behavior and attitude

- It’s honestly tiring how some twist every little moment into drama when BTS have always shown they’re a family.

- Jin literally said he feels like he’s with family, not colleagues. What more proof do people need?