How SEVENTEEN's Jun Got Fans Banned From Gifting Cakes

If there’s one thing K-pop fans are known for, it’s their outpouring of love and support for their idols. From fan letters to heartfelt gifts, and yep, you guessed it, birthday cakes! We’ve all seen the love go around. But for the fans of SEVENTEEN, one sweet tradition hit a “sour” note, and it all began back in 2016 with the birthday celebrations of a certain member – the one and only Jun.

In case you need a refresher, here’s what went down. On June 10, 2016, Jun turned 20. Naturally, his birthday was celebrated in grand fashion, with a sea of presents, heartfelt messages, rice wreaths donated in his name, and the pièce de résistance – cakes!

And by cakes, we mean a whopping total of around 65 beauties, each one more ornate and drool-worthy than the last. Jun, being the sweet soul he is, showed off his cake-filled day with a photogenic snap. Surrounded by his cakey companions, he looked every bit like the birthday king.

[17's 준] 생일 축하해 주셔서 감사해요~!
앞으로도 쭉 같이 행복하게 지냈으면 좋겠어요!!
우리 캐럿들 너무 고맙고 사랑해요♡♡ pic.twitter.com/RqIL0YsGrn

— 세븐틴(SEVENTEEN) (@pledis_17) June 10, 2016

Not even a week had passed, and it was time for another SEVENTEEN member to blow out the candles — the charming Hoshi. On June 15, Hoshi followed in Jun’s footsteps and received his own army of birthday cakes. He, too, took to Twitter to share a pic amid his collection of confectionery delights and rice wreaths, much like Jun.

[17's 호시] 우리 캐럿떨~생일 축하해 주셔서 너무 고마워요~~ 항상 고맙고 사랑합니다! pic.twitter.com/HG0mbBrndG

— 세븐틴(SEVENTEEN) (@pledis_17) June 15, 2016

Then came the plot twist that no one saw coming. Since Hoshi’s cake-filled photo, the SEVENTEEN birthday posts started missing something – the sight of the idols drowning in a sea of cakes. Fans picked up on the change, and the word started spreading. Something had happened, and it seemed like the tradition had come to an unexpected halt.

Mingyu’s birthday pictures with his cakes from earlier that year. | *@pledis_17/Twitter*

Cue PLEDIS Entertainment, SEVENTEEN’s managing company, stepping in. Fans soon learned that the company was no longer accepting cakes as birthday gifts for the members. No official statement was made, but the writing was on the wall (or, rather, the cakes were off the table). Just like that, the sweet tradition of fans gifting their favorite stars with an avalanche of cakes on their special day ended on a “bittersweet” note.

jun singlehandedly made agencies banned gifting cakes to idols when he received over 60 of them for his birthday once. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUN! 🤍 pic.twitter.com/zIlteOoY7i

— hien 🍯 (@viethoshi) June 9, 2022

No matter what, though, one thing remains clear – the love of the fans for their idols. Cake or no cake, SEVENTEEN’s fandom (Carats, we see you!) continues to celebrate their idols’ birthdays with the same fervor and affection, showing that love in K-Pop isn’t just about sugar, flour, and frosting.

Happy Birthday to the boy who's the reason why is forbidden to gift cakes to idols#준냥이_생일이면_캐럿들은_냐아아 #Happi_JUNppi_Day @pledis_17 pic.twitter.com/EUiyoZSqPs

— wjh. (@mainhuihui) June 9, 2023

So here’s to SEVENTEEN, Jun, Hoshi, and to all the Carats out there. Cake or not, the party goes on. Because at the end of the day, it’s the love and support that truly take the cake. (Sorry, we had to!)