Big Bang Fans’ Send-Off Gift For T.O.P. Deemed Inappropriate
Big Bang rapper T.O.P. officially started his mandatory military service and will be gone from the public eye for the next two years. Shortly after the Kpop idol's enlistment, members of the South Korean group's fandom, VIP, slammed the behavior of other fans given their send-off gift for the singer.
Recently, several VIPs expressed their disappointment and frustration given the way that other fans behaved during T.O.P.'s enlistment day. The Big Bang band member reported to the Nonsan military base on Feb. 9, Thursday, to begin his four-week soldier training before his deployment to other military installments.
The musician was met with a crowd of fans holding up posters and small sign boards that contained supportive messages for the Kpop idol. However, some VIPs decorated the outer perimeter of the said military camp with large banners, as well as two big helium balloons with vertical streamers flowing below it.
Many Big Bang fans were outraged with their fellow VIPs' actions and claimed that they tarnished the fandom's reputation, Koreaboo reported. Describing the excessive send-off peripherals as highly inappropriate given the military base location, many VIPs criticized the said fans' behavior and even highlighted how they disrespected T.O.P.'s wish for a low-key enlistment.
Typically, avid fans would gather outside the said military base to show their support for favorite South Korean male celebrities who are scheduled to start their military service. There are also times when male stars would conduct a short interview prior to entering the camp.
In T.O.P.'s case, the Big Bang member already expressed his wish to enter the military without any fanfare or special ceremony. In an earlier announcement released by the Kpop idol's agency, as obtained by Korea Herald, YG Entertainment revealed that the rapper wanted to forego any official events and to just enlist quietly.
Meanwhile, another Kpop idol also started his mandatory military service on the same date as T.O.P.'s enlistment day. JYJ band member Junsu joined the rapper at the Nonsan military camp, along with other drafted South Korean male citizens.
