A new appearance by BTS member Jin’s older brother, Kim Seok Joong, has sparked heated discussion among Korean netizens after he appeared on comedian Jung Jun Ha’s YouTube travel series.

Kim Seok Joong Appears on Popular YouTube Series

On June 16, Jung Jun Ha uploaded a new episode of Juna Tour Season 5, documenting a trip to Gapyeong. While the episode featured guests from various fields, the biggest talking point quickly became the appearance of Kim Seok Joong.

During the show, Jung Jun Ha introduced him as Jin’s older brother, and viewers immediately noticed the strong resemblance between the siblings. Clips and screenshots from the episode rapidly circulated across social media, drawing significant attention from BTS fans and casual viewers alike.

Following the broadcast, Kim Seok Joong shared photos from the filming experience on his personal social media account. Jung Jun Ha also publicly expressed affection for his guest, commenting:

“I miss you already! Thanks, Seok Joong chef!”

The friendly exchange highlighted the close relationship between the two men and initially generated positive reactions from many fans.

Backlash Emerges Online

However, not everyone viewed the appearance positively.

After articles about the episode were published on Korean portal sites, some netizens criticized Kim Seok Joong for appearing on a program where his connection to Jin was heavily emphasized.

A number of commenters argued that the appearance seemed unnecessary and claimed he was benefiting from his younger brother’s global fame. Some critics went as far as accusing him of potentially damaging Jin’s public image by becoming involved in entertainment content.

The controversy quickly spread across online communities, where discussions became divided.

Supporters Push Back Against Criticism

At the same time, many fans strongly disagreed with the backlash.

Supporters pointed out that Kim Seok Joong is already a public figure in his own right through his restaurant business and has occasionally appeared in media before. They argued that simply appearing on a friend’s YouTube channel does not constitute exploiting Jin’s fame.

Others questioned why Jin’s family members should be prevented from participating in public activities simply because of their relationship to a celebrity.

Several commenters also noted that Jung Jun Ha himself introduced Kim Seok Joong as Jin’s brother, making it difficult to blame the guest for the attention generated by that connection.

Why the Story Is Getting Attention

The situation highlights a recurring issue faced by relatives of major celebrities: balancing their own public lives while inevitably being associated with their famous family members.

Because BTS remains one of the world’s most influential music groups, even minor appearances by family members often generate intense scrutiny and debate online.

At this stage, there is no indication that Jin himself has commented on the controversy, and the discussion appears to be driven primarily by online reactions rather than any official statement or conflict.

The Bottom Line

The headline claiming Kim Seok Joong is “tainting” Jin’s image reflects criticism from a segment of online commenters rather than an established fact.

What actually happened is much simpler:

• Kim Seok Joong appeared on Jung Jun Ha’s YouTube travel show.
• Viewers were fascinated by his resemblance to Jin.
• Some netizens accused him of relying on Jin’s fame.
• Others defended him, arguing the criticism is unfair and exaggerated.

For now, the debate seems to be another example of how anything connected to BTS can quickly become a major online talking point.