There's an upcoming BTS-inspired K-drama series, but production has been paused
The BTS-inspired K-drama, Youth, has stopped filming due to some concerns raised by the BTS ARMY.
Hankook Ilbo reported earlied today that filming for Youth halted end of October and will not resume until January 2021. Co-producers Chorokbaem Media and Big Hit Entertainment said that this was due to some concerns raised by the ARMY on using the members' real names in the fictional drama. "We will resume filming after the discussion," they said.
Fans were mainly concerned about using the BTS members' real birth names. "Since BTS’s fictional selves go through tragic, dark, and abusive situations, some fans worried these imagined events might affect BTS’s real lives," said Koreaboo.
One Twitter user said, "The new BTS drama, which contains sensitive and problematic subjects, will use BTS' real names. We urge @BigHitEnt to change them to fictitious, as it may cause misunderstanding with the public that are not familiar with the nature of the content and issues with the boys' images."
Another concerned ARMY tweeted, "I don't think using the real names of the members in a drama that is available to third parties, not just fans, cannot expect positive results not only from the current members but also from the fandom. Please review the drama."
Youth is based on BTS Universe, a fictional narrative created by Big Hit Entertainment, and it follows a group of seven boys "navigating the transition to adulthood" together.
The drama is produced by Kim Jaehong and written by Kim Soojin, the same writer for Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo. The actors casted are "a mix of young experienced and rookie actors," said Soompi. The cast includes Jeon Jinseo (Jungkook), Seo Jihoon (Jin), Noh Jonghyun (Suga), Ahn Jiho (J-Hope), Seo Youngjoo (RM), Kim Yoonwoo (Jimin), and Jung Woojin (V).
“Youth will portray the reality of the seven boys in a real and refreshing way while also focusing on their underlying emotions. A deep understanding of the characters, acting skills, and chemistry between the actors with their roles were more important than anything else,” they said. "Please look forward to the synergy between the seven boys and the actors that will complete the BTS universe story.”
The BTS Universe drama is expected to air in 2021
— K-Charts & Translations⁷ (@charts_k) October 19, 2020
Actors:
Jin: Seo Jihoon
Suga: Noh Jonghyun
J-Hope: Ahn Jiho
RM: Seo Youngjoo
Jimin: Kim Yoonwoo
V: Jung Woojin
Jungkook: Jeon Jinseohttps://t.co/kFCVoHmOID pic.twitter.com/LxWu8yYxPH
Youth will be aired sometime next year.
Photos from Big Hit Entertainment's Instagram