BTS member Jimin is currently at the center of a significant online controversy. Following the removal of millions of streams from his solo track “Who” on Spotify, fans are buzzing with various theories. Recent reports indicate that over 15 million streams were affected in July alone, bringing the total deletion to more than 200 million since its launch in July 2024.
This unexpected decrease has led to backlash, fueling conspiracy theories, and igniting intense debates among both fans and critics. It has reopened discussions on the integrity of streaming metrics in the K-pop industry.
Understanding Artificial Streams
Spotify has long warned against the use of artificial streaming practices, which involve plays that don’t represent authentic user engagement. These streams are often generated by bots, scripts, or other dubious means.
To address this issue, Spotify implements monthly clean-ups to eliminate suspected fraudulent plays. These are typically scheduled for the start of each month, yet July’s removal notably impacted many K-pop artists.
Impact on K-Pop Stars
Although Jimin’s situation has attracted significant attention, he is not alone in facing such challenges. Artists like BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Jennie reportedly lost about 2 million streams on their solo projects. Other BTS members, including Jungkook, V, and Jin, also saw dramatic decreases in their streaming numbers.
Notably, Jungkook’s “Seven” and “3D” lost millions as well, while V’s “Winter Ahead” suffered a decline of almost 13 million streams. Jin’s “Don’t Say You Love Me” was hit with a substantial removal of 15 million streams. Yet, none of these figures can compare to the staggering number of streams lost by Jimin.
Concerns Over Stream Manipulation
In the wake of this mass deletion, accusations have emerged alleging that HYBE, BTS’ parent company, may be calculatedly inflating streaming numbers. Critics claim that such significant losses raise questions about the authenticity of the streams and suggest possible manipulation tactics behind the scenes.
Support from ARMY
Jimin’s fanbase, known as ARMY, has actively defended him across various social media platforms. They emphasize that “Who” has consistently achieved impressive chart positions globally, raising questions about the classification of legitimate fan engagement as artificial. Many fans believe that the song’s remarkable popularity has been unjustly marked.
What are your thoughts on the current situation surrounding Jimin’s streaming numbers?
