One hairstyle. A million opinions. BTS’s Jimin and his iconic long blonde hair have been at the centre of a swirling debate — and ARMY is done staying quiet. After it was revealed that even HYBE urged Jimin to cut his locks, fans have come out swinging in defence of the idol’s right to just… be himself.
Table of Contents
What’s the Whole Story?
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Artist | BTS’s Jimin (Park Jimin) |
| Hairstyle in Question | Long blonde hair (extensions, beyond shoulder-length) |
| When It Debuted | Gwanghwamun concert; extended further at Tokyo Dome (April 17, 2026) |
| HYBE’s Stance | Suggested Jimin cut his hair |
| Jimin’s Supporter | His mother |
| Fan Reaction | Overwhelmingly in support of Jimin |
| Critics | Certain K-netizens; reportedly even HYBE staff |
| Tour Context | BTS World Tour ARIRANG (85 shows, 34 cities worldwide) |
How It All Started — “Rapunzelmin” Goes Viral
During the BTS ARIRANG World Tour mic check session at Tokyo Dome on April 17, 2026, Jimin appeared with noticeably longer blonde hair compared to his previous look at the Seoul concerts on April 12. While his hair had been around shoulder-length in Seoul, in Tokyo it extended beyond shoulder length, reaching his upper back, with shorter front layers framing his face.
Fans widely admired his appearance, with many likening his hairstyle to Disney’s Rapunzel. The term “Rapunzelmin” — combining the princess’s name with Jimin’s — quickly began trending online. It was pure magic for ARMYs. For others, not so much.
The Bombshell: Even HYBE Told Him to Cut It
Here’s where things got heated. On April 29 (KST), during a special live broadcast featuring Jimin, J-Hope, Suga, and V as a guest, the members were discussing Jimin’s long hair. Jimin then revealed that almost everyone around him was against it — including those at the company. He shared: “Even the company was kind of like, ‘ah, you should probably cut your hair.’ But I just wanted to try something different for once. My mom was my only supporter.” Koreaboo
Suga added that long hair is a highly divisive style, admitting he had tried it before and understood the mixed reactions. Jimin also shared a funny moment: while visiting a sauna in Japan with the members, he bent his head to rub his hair dry and the members’ reaction was simply, “That’s gross” — sending everyone into laughter. KbizoOmKbizoOm
K-Netizens Pile On — But Fans Aren’t Having It
When BTS visited Mexico’s National Palace in May 2026 and greeted fans from the balcony, Jimin’s long hair styling drew attention alongside the event — and some K-netizens expressed frustration, with comments like: “The blonde suits him, but the styling and length are just weird,” “It doesn’t suit him,” and “Are those extensions? It doesn’t look good.”
But for every critical comment, ARMY had ten clap-backs ready.
When Jimin’s live broadcast revelation spread online, fans hit back at HYBE directly. One X user posted: “Hybe is mad that they can’t control Jimin and that’s why he’s been getting mistreated this whole comeback.” Another wrote: “I hope Jimin continues to not listen to the company or anyone’s opinions and JUST DO WHAT HE WANTS!!! His ideas and just everything he does is iconic.” A third fan said: “I’m so glad he didn’t listen to anybody and did whatever made him happy cause he looks so good.”
Some fans even suggested HYBE’s pushback was deliberate — accusing the company of trying to hold Jimin back knowing the hair would go viral. Spoiler: it absolutely did.
Jimin’s Hair, Jimin’s Rules — Why This Matters
This isn’t just about hair. For many ARMYs, Jimin’s long blonde era represents an evolved, unbothered version of himself — one who is done compromising his self-expression to satisfy others. He fought for this look against the company, against naysayers, and kept it. The only cheerleader he needed? His mom.
Despite the initial pushback, Jimin’s long-hair look has been widely embraced by fans, becoming one of his most talked-about visuals in recent years. Harper’s Bazaar Korea even noted how the look set a new trend, calling his ash blonde layered style a “bold new image” that revealed his mood more clearly. KbizoOm
Meanwhile, BTS shows no signs of slowing down. The group is currently on their BTS World Tour ARIRANG, spanning 85 performances across 34 cities including Mexico City, Las Vegas, Chicago, Tokyo, and the Middle East — with all shows sold out. KbizoOm
For more Bollywood sequel news and box office updates, explore our latest Bollywood coverage on TechnoSports and our upcoming Hindi films of 2026 guide to plan your watchlist.
FAQs
Q: Why did HYBE suggest Jimin cut his long blonde hair?
During the April 29, 2026 live broadcast, Jimin revealed that “almost everyone was against it” — including the company (HYBE), which suggested he cut his hair. Jimin chose to keep it anyway, saying he “just wanted to try something different for once,” with his mother being his only initial supporter. Koreaboo
Q: How have fans reacted to the criticism of Jimin’s hair?
Fans have overwhelmingly defended Jimin’s right to choose his own style. When the revelation went viral, ARMYs praised Jimin for sticking to his gut, with many criticising HYBE’s stance and urging Jimin to ignore both the company and any negative opinions, celebrating his individuality and self-expression.
