In the world of K-pop, debates over achievements at award shows — including chart rankings, popularity, and industry standing — are inevitable among fandoms. A sense of “exclusive” devotion to one’s own idols often fuels heated fan wars. However, there is an ironic reality: while fans are busy clashing fiercely online, their idols may very well be sitting together, sharing a meal at a barbecue restaurant.

The кσяєαn entertainment circle is often described as being “not too big, yet not too small,” and in reality, most idols know one another — some even maintaining very close friendships. BTS and SEVENTEEN are a prime example. Even before both groups came under the HYBE umbrella, the members had occasionally expressed mutual respect and support. After becoming labelmates, their relationship grew even closer, including friendships such as those between SUGA and SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi or Woozi.

Still, when it comes to a symbol of the connection between BTS and SEVENTEEN, the first names that come to fans’ minds are undoubtedly the 1997-born best friends: Jungkook and Mingyu. The two idols have maintained their friendship for many years, dating back to their trainee days. Beyond that, their bond has also led to Jungkook forming close relationships with at least two other SEVENTEEN members born in 1997 — DK and The8.

And that is not all. Recently, fans discovered that Jungkook had gone out to eat with Mingyu and several other SEVENTEEN members, further proving the ever-growing friendship between BTS and SEVENTEEN!

On January 27, the owner of a newly opened кσяєαn BBQ restaurant named Soot-jang (숯장) caught fans’ attention by posting a photo of Jungkook’s autograph, accompanied by the message, “I enjoyed the meal and I’m heading out,” displayed in front of the grill restaurant’s sign. The restaurant also wrote in the caption: “We were honored to have BTS’s Jungkook visit us here at Soot-jang! We promise to always provide excellent service and the finest flavors. At your service!”

In addition to Jungkook’s autograph, the restaurant later shared another photo featuring a similar handwritten note and composition, with the caption mentioning three SEVENTEEN members — S.Coups, Mingyu, and Vernon. This suggests that BTS’s Golden Maknae and the three SEVENTEEN members likely dined together shortly before Soot-jang’s soft opening on January 27.

It appears that this cozy barbecue gathering took place shortly after SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu and S.Coups successfully wrapped up the final performance of their CxM [Double Up] Live Party tour in кσяєα. Earlier, on January 25, fans had spotted Jungkook in the au∂ιєnce, showing support for his friends.

Also present alongside Jungkook in the VIP section that day was another SEVENTEEN member — The8, who is also part of the well-known “97-liner” group. Jungkook and The8 were seated next to each other, chatting and laughing throughout the show. On that day, rare moments of the two close friends quickly went viral across social media.

From cheering on Mingyu to chatting with The8, fans have now uncovered yet another layer of Jungkook’s close ties with SEVENTEEN — and naturally, they could not contain their excitement:

- At this point, he’s basically the 14th member of SEVENTEEN. It's so lovely

- i saw this right after the tweet wondering if jungkook and seungcheol see each other and think abt their circa 2016 wrestling match and now im just picturing them at the table silently sizing one another up “yo i could take him this time” “dude id get this guy twice in a row”

- the 14th member of seventeen has returned everyone. caratarmy how yall feeling rn

- The way you always find Jungkook enjoying his real life moment with his besties aka 97liners outside his job, Also he always puts his signature.

- cutieee i love their friendship so much. next time please BTS X Seventeen dinner

- My love!! I hope you really enjoyed it! He loves barbecue. The number one meat lover, haha

- And when someone said SEVENTEEN means 13 members , 3 units and one jungkook, they were Hella right

- we're back with the "13 members + 3 units + 1 jungkook". they're so dear to me

- I'm glad he spent a fun night with his friends