thoughts on minjoon? I think Namjoon has a really soft spot for Jimin, in a way I think they're both very mature and therefore I imagine them having really deep conversations
This might sound strange considering the nature of my blog, but Min/Joon would probably be my bias ship in BTS. KM mainly holds my attention and fascination, because their subtext is wildly compelling. I don’t see that kind of subtext with Min/Joon, but good gracious me, I looove Min/Joon’s dynamic.
They have the great quality of being opposites in distinct ways. They are the ultimate tol/smol pair in Bangtan. JM is all extroverted, bright, and has this big sociable personality. NJ is all introspective, heavy, and naturally quiet/solitary. JM is this epic dancer. NJ is one of the least strong dancers in the industry (I say this with love ^^). JM, a singer. NJ, a rapper. I could go on~~
Despite those differences, they have distinct modes of operation that completely overlap. The main one is their enthusiasm for reading, education, and being excellent students. JM has been pretty quiet about this until recently, but apparently he was head of his class, academically, for 9 years in a row? Something like that. They are BTS’s studious nerds. They are very driven and dedicated to getting down to work.
Another is that they are both natural leaders. They exude a wise, steady voice, and gentle, but firm hand when dealing with crises or situations which are emotionally fraught or difficult. Bangtan’s mediators. The age/hierarchy dynamics in BTS are a bit odd, but I see NJ as being able to lead the hyung-line and JM as being able to lead the maknae-line with the ever-diligent Hobi as the bridge between them both. NJ and some of the others have said JM sometimes conducts himself more like a hyung or leader than the rest of them. So they both share that, not having the status of leadership by age, but earning those positions of leadership by their nature and character traits.
I mentioned around the time of BTS’s press junkets in the US that Jimin was “… helping Namjoon through the press junkets. He’s making sure to take some pressure off the leader and give him someone to play off of while the others might be less comfortable speaking up. Hobi, as well. Our helpful extroverts giving the assist!”
With the way they sit/stand together as a group during serious interviews, Jimin and Namjoon are often front-and-center, or near-center. When NJ is taking the speaking-lead he typically looks to one side or the other. One side has JM (and maybe Hobi). The other has Suga (maybe TH or JK). If you were in a difficult interview with the pressure of talking the most, which side would you look to for some affirmation? Jimin is like sunshine smiling at you. Suga is like a cement wall (I also say this with love. ^^). This is why we get a lot of talk about Min/Joon ‘flirting’ during interview season. They are flirting, kind of. It’s the type of flirting that helps social situations go smoothly and makes it look less awkward to the audience. Jimin provides the same service for JK when he has to speak from the center. Attentive, high-energy, affirmations. Smiling. Nodding. Laughing. It helps the speaker feel like they’re not alone, speaking into a cold void. With the US interviews, so much pressure was on NJ. JM was almost always sat right with him, reinforcing him emotionally (smiling, laughing, making light of any verbal stumble) and physically (hand/thigh touches, shoulder nudges). How helpful this is to someone in NJ’s position cannot be overstated.
I could really go on and on about Min/Joon, but there’s one specific aspect I’ll mention in this ramble. I’d be interested to hear any of your thoughts on this.
I believe Namjoon and Jimin went through a very similar personal development since debut. They both fronted hyper-masculinity in this very forced way. They both plastered over their insecurities of not being taken seriously or being thought of as unworthy by creating these tough personas in the way they looked and behaved. Their clothing, their strong tans, their mean-mugging, Jimin with his muscle-building, Namjoon with his hair, sunglasses, etc. During that time these masks would slip and we saw these softer, sweeter, sensitive facets of them and then the masks would snap back into place if they caught themselves not being ‘hard’ enough.
Over time, with age/maturing, soul-searching, and the intense experience of their jobs, it was inevitable their truer selves would eventually shine through. They’ve completely embraced their softness and femininity (for the record, I don’t gender this word), and even revel in it. From things they’ve said about having long conversations, I think they’re self-aware of this, and have possibly discussed it specifically at length. I also believe this translates into their physical affection with each other. They went through that transition from being closed-off or awkward to being like, ‘If I want to hug the hell out of you–I’m going to!’. Henceforth, we shall always have the koala and his tree.
I’d wager this was an easier process for Jimin. Playing the ‘hard’ guy was probably a more dramatic reach for him that he pushed to an extreme to fit into the concept of early Bangtan. Whereas for Namjoon I think it was an expectation he set for himself since he was focused on hip hop and that’s what he needed to do to fit into the scene. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Jimin’s mask falling away that especially awakened NJ to his own softness. That ‘yellow-card’ moment when he completely loses it and melts is what comes to mind. Cuuuuuuute! Cuuuuuuute!
On the note of discussions, that seems to come up a lot with them. The group will bring up some topic and one of Min/Joon will say of the other, ‘We had a long talk about this’. Both of them strike me as the type of people who like to talk things out. If there’s a problem, something new on the horizon, or direction for their music, they’d be the most inclined to extensively hash that out with words more than the rest of the group. Hearing they have this ongoing dialogue about anything and everything within Bangtan is really heartening. I think they help each other look after the emotional and practical needs of the group as a whole.
This post–she’s too long!Closing with one of my favorite Min/Joon moments. Not sure of the correct credit for it. I think Tension Up took this photo? Chim stretching out like a cat on Joon’s lap at the Hongdae fan-signing. Sweet and comfy.
I welcome any input about Min/Joon’s shared journey from hyper-masculinity towards embracing femininity and complexity! What do you darlings think?
(Very tentatively putting this in the Minjoon tag. Please yell at me if this bothers any of you and I’ll remove it immediately!
