BTS fans have expressed their disappointment that the auction for the hanbok worn by BTS's Jimin was cancelled and pulled out from the auction.
On April 23, Myart Auction, an auction company based in Seoul that specializes in Korean arts, announced that the unwashed hanbok Jimin wore that was made by designer Kim Rieul for BTS's "IDOL" performance will not be part of the auction anymore.
The hanbok in question is a costume worn by Jimin during their "IDOL" performance at Gyeongbokgung Palace for Jimmy Fallon's "The Tonight Show" back in September 2020, and was added to the auction by designer Kim Rieul with the aim to bring awareness and harmonize modernity and the tradition of hanbok.
It was supposed to be auctioned off with the starting bid of 5 million won ($4,480) from 10 am KST on April 22 for one week until April 29 at 5:00 p.m. KST.
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Upon the news, not only BTS fans - ARMY, all over the world but also various domestic and international media outlets showed great interest in the auction. According to Myart Auction, it is a very good opportunity to spread Korean culture, with BTS fans having great expectation for the auction.
However, due to the ignorance on the culture of the auction, akgaes - fans who only support one member, have been harassing and defaming designer Kim Rieul in his social media accounts. Despite the fact that the Auction and Kim Rieul himself have explained the meaning behind preserving his original work, harassment continued which eventually led for the auction of the hanbok to be cancelled.
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Akgaes have been repeatedly harassing broadcasting stations, Youtubers, affiliates and even ordinary fans, and this auction was not spared from them.
Myart Auction commented on how Jimin fans have no way of restraining their anger and concerns, and expressing them in a more appropriate way. But it is clear to the Auction that their behavior and opinions do not represent the entire BTS fandom.
In addition, the rest of BTS's fans have been sincerely cheering and encouraging Kim Rieul, who took the lead in modernizing hanboks.
Myart Auction said that the auction of Jimin's hanbok can be an important opportunity to inform others of Korea's traditional costume that is a representative symbol of their culture, in addition to promoting Korea's culture to the world.
Kim Rieul told Myart Auction in the afternoon of April 22 that he was very burdened by the auction as many fans viewed the auction as a commercial business only and did not see the real intention behind it.
READ MORE: BTS Jimin's Unwashed Costume from 2020 to be Auctioned Off
In other news, Jimin's hanbok was compared with the clothes that were put up on auction by world-class stars such as Sylvester Stallone's sweater from "Rocky" and Kurt Cobain's cardigan from his "Unplugged" performance, in that the hanbok was not washed and attracted a lot of attention both domestic and international.
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Written by Robyn Joan
