South Korean MP earns wrath of BTS fans for using Jungkook’s tattoo pictures in campaign

Ryu Ho-jeong was accused of dragging the singer into politics after she used his tattooed images to promote her campaign to liberalise the country’s inking laws

Ryu, who apologised for posting the photos, said she wanted to promote her bill through ‘everyday and popular content’

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South Korean lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong. Photo: Handout

Published: 6:36pm, 10 Jun 2021

South Korea’s youngest MP apologised on Thursday after she provoked fury among BTS fans by using pictures of tattooed singer Jungkook to promote her campaign to liberalise the country’s restrictive laws on inking.

K-pop fans are fiercely protective of their idols and while Ryu Ho-jeong of the progressive minor Justice party did nothing to claim she had Jungkook’s support, she was accused of dragging him into politics.

South Korea has strict restrictions on tattooing, which while not illegal is classed as a medical procedure and may only be carried out by a qualified doctor – with violators facing possible imprisonment.

Even though tattoos have become more widespread in recent years, many entertainment figures still apply plasters to hide theirs before making television appearances.

Ryu – a confessed BTS fan – uploaded pictures of Jungkook to her social media accounts, some showing symbols and the word “ARMY”, a reference to BTS fans, tattooed on his right hand, and others in which he covered them with a long white sleeve.

“Have you seen your favourite celebrities covered in bandages on their bodies?” she wrote. “This hideous sight is the result of television stations’ regulations on tattoos.”