Jay Park Responds To Criticism Following His Meetup With BTS’s Jungkook

BTS‘s Jungkook and Jay Park recently shared photos from their hangout that naturally garnered a lot of attention.

On April 19, Jay Park posted two pictures of himself with Jungkook on his social media accounts, including Twitter and Instagram. In the second photo, the pair is even posing in a recording studio, causing speculation regarding a collaboration.

Jay Park captioned his posts differently depending on the social media platforms but both with praise for BTS’s maknae. He complimented Jungkook for everything from his mindset and humbleness to talent and boxing.

Even though he’s at the top, he has a growth mindset and and he’s humble. What a stud… Plus he’s good at boxing…
After i met Jk i can definitely can see why they get so much love. Humble, [ambitious] and talented 💯🔥🇰🇷🇰🇷

— Jay Park’s Instagram caption

Bro is super humble ambitious and talented. Can definitely see why they get so much love 🔥🔥🇰🇷 JK is a dope genuine person pic.twitter.com/UqsWkIMaNM

— JAY BUM PARK (@JAYBUMAOM) April 19, 2022

Jungkook also reposted Jay Park’s post on his own Instagram account, adding a fire emoji.

Fans of the two were living for the interaction!

Jay park. Jungkook. TOGETHER. I’m so happy 🥹 pic.twitter.com/rE0yzzZOaD

— Debbi 데비💜⁷ (@7ColorsBangtan) April 19, 2022

jungkook with Jay Park 🏌‍♂️what ever makes you happy baby <3 pic.twitter.com/NK4ToffqwH

— suba suga (@SUGARKlVE) April 19, 2022

Some were hopeful that the two met up with the goal of collaboration.

He’s in Jay Park studio, collab I guess. Do your thing Jay, make them mad 😂 pic.twitter.com/B13xuBnGOh

— More (happy) tears (@aomgh1ghrarea) April 19, 2022

Korean netizens were especially delighted about the meetup and wished for a collab.

K-Netizens are reacting to Jungkook & Jay Park pictures, which are a hot topic on K-Communities as multiple posts are trending Hot on theqoo with almost 700 comments. They're very happy to see the combination and are impatiently asking for the collab with pounding hearts. pic.twitter.com/2Mm981e6AF

— Jungkook SNS✨ (@Jungkook_SNS) April 19, 2022

Yet, a large number of international netizens were not as happy. Instead, they criticized Jay Park.

jay park is funny not long ago he claimed he hated when people think he is a member of bts in public and now he's posting pics with jk with such super sweet honey dripping captions guess now he knows why people actually love them

— jk9⁷ (@jksfIeur) April 19, 2022

Many claimed that Jay Park was acting “hypocritical.”

I will NOT shut up about the hate Jay Park threw towards bts, I will NOT forget nor forgive, bts can be humble and good enough for me.

— JIMIN OST🔜mafer ⁷ (@gukdoublebunny) April 19, 2022

They called him out for previously calling K-Pop “manufactured” and “inauthentic” to now using idols for “clout.” Jay Park originally debuted as the leader of K-Pop group 2PM before leaving JYP Entertainment to have a solo career and ultimately founding his own successful music businesses.

The only reason you're taking photos with Jungkook is to sell your soju and climb on their backs as you try to build your own kpop legacy you're a hypocrite and you will never be them

— 2022 (@o_biennis) April 19, 2022

This is Jay Park's song "Who The F*ck Is U" feat Take One and B Free. The first verse is Jay Park's and from genius it says "On this track Jay takes shots at the kpop music industry for being too fake and superficial… Unlike kpop idols he has freedom of opinion and expression" pic.twitter.com/DTsCjsldcu

— 2022 (@o_biennis) April 19, 2022

ARMYs even edited the photos, removing Jay Park from Jungkook’s side…

OK BUT THIS LOOKS MUCH BETTER #jkhostagesituation pic.twitter.com/jRDDSE3Bu6

— Yeni⁷ MISSING TAE EVERYDAY (@yoongisberet_) April 19, 2022

…and replacing him with other K-Pop idols, like ENHYPEN‘s Jay.

JUNGKOOK IS FINE EVERYBODY, HE'S WITH THE RIGHT JAY NOW 🙌 #jkhostagesituation pic.twitter.com/ptKqhhKqfi

— erich⁷🍒 get well soon jinnie !! (@richvantae) April 19, 2022

Others theorized that Jungkook had visited his ’97 liner friend GOT7‘s Yugyeom as he is signed under Jay Park-founded label AOMG and met Park that way.

No Jungkook didn’t go see Jay park because He wanted to he only went to go see him bc he went to go see YUGYEOM pic.twitter.com/9tLqTxjPd7

— bts⁷ (@obvibts) April 19, 2022

jungkook was actually just tryna see yugyeom at aomg like why r u interrupting https://t.co/oaRGrxwiU2

— MAR DAY (@fiffanie) April 19, 2022

As a result, Jungkook and Jay Park trended on Twitter in 59+ countries.

Their names trended along with “#jkhostagesituation,” implying Jungkook was held hostage and that was the only way he would have taken photos with Jay Park.

Why Kpop idols be hanging out with the most problematic people? Like damn, y’all can’t just stay at home for one day😭😭 Jungkook boy get yo ass out of that studio😭😭#jkhostagesituation pic.twitter.com/iPe2De8mAC

— ᴮᴱElle⁷ ⟭⟬ (@JoonKookStyless) April 19, 2022

No one has the biggest and kindest heart like you, Jungkook 💜💜🤍#jkhostagesituation pic.twitter.com/0nmTzrAaC4

— ʜᴏɴᴇʏ ᴀᴄᴋʟᴇs⁷구 ⟭⟬🦋 (@honeyackles10) April 19, 2022

Since then, Jay Park has responded to the backlash. Rather than respond to hate with hate, he posted a straightforward tweet with positivity and “love,” including different colored heart emojis.

hope everyone keeps safe and healthy. peace and love to all humans ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍#jkhostagesituation

— JAY BUM PARK (@JAYBUMAOM) April 19, 2022

This wouldn’t be the first time Jay Park received criticism after hanging out with K-Pop idols. Previously, he and ATEEZ‘s Mingi trended for a similar reason. Read his response regarding that situation below:

Jay Park Responds To Hate After His Recent Collabs With K-Pop Idols