“They're jealous of him” — Fans defend BTS Jimin’s dad following backlash over ZMillennial merch release

On August 4, 2024, Pannkpop reported that BTS member Jimin's father, Park Hyun-soo, launched new merch goods under his brand, ZMillennial by MAGNATE Café. According to the report, some Korean netizens were displeased with this and criticized the BTS idol and his family for selling merch and making a profit.

For the unversed, the BTS sensation established MAGNATE Café in 2019 in Busan. Since then the café has been run and operated by his father. Park Hyun-soo introduced an exclusive product line, ZMillennial by MAGNATE, in December 2023 and opened a new store in Gunja Prefecture shop in Takasaki City, Japan. The merch is created by Jimin's father on his son, his tattoos, and his birth year.

Amongst the merchandise, ZMillennial launched the 14K gold plated necklace for 46,200 Yen or around $320. It weighs 2.3 grams and the chain is 42.5 centimeters and has "1995" designed on a moon crescent. Netizens expressed their aversion towards the necklace and called it "expensive." They also criticized Park Hyun-soo for reportedly selling a T-shirt with his autograph on it.

Additionally, the Gunja Prefecture shop in Takasaki City, Japan, reportedly sold out all the merchandise. Online users shared their disapproval of the product and its cost in comments on the Korean forum Instiz. They also criticized fans who purchased the merchandise even though it wasn't authorized BTS merchandise.

Meanwhile, the BTS ARMY came to defend the BTS idol and his father on X and stated that others were "jealous" of their success.

"Coz jimin dad is most successful one, he even open another store in Japan. Plus he was planning to ship worldwide (not sure if its already started) that's why they're jealous of him coz like jimin he is successful on his business too.

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"They mad cause jimin’s dad’s cafe is a must visit spot of Busan and is famous as hell. Like father like son," one netizen wrote.

"Jimin isn't enough so now they are hating on his dad....what kind of obsession is this?? Keeping tabs about his dad whom you hate so much Even I am not aware about what their parents are doing while stanning," another fan voiced.

"The hate jimin gets for succeeding and achieving new records is the same hate jimin’s dad is getting for having a successful known cafe business that has turned into a tourist attraction of busan… predictable," another fan added.

Others also mentioned the idol and his father's kindness and stated that there is nothing wrong in creating a merch line on one's own son.

"Jimin’s dad loving his son and being thankful to everyone who loves Jimin back Donates and gives attention to Jimin’s fans because he’s thankful, writes thank you and makes T-shirts “o hope you’re good person"," one netizen defended.

"To all the fans here, Zmillenial has worldwide shipping, too, so you can always order stuff from anywhere in the world. Why give your money to hybe and it's execs when I can put it directly in Jimin's father pockets?" one other netizen wrote.

"The hate jimin and his dad is getting from his own fandom is crazy. What’s wrong is selling his son’s merchandise??? All HOLLYWOOD stars does that. Where do y’all disappear then????" another netizen stated.

BTS Jimin's father launched 36 ZMillennial items in his MAGNATE Café

Meanwhile, on both Busan and Japan stores' official Instagram accounts, Park Hyun-soo recently posted several pictures of their merchandise. As a result, ARMYs left thousands of comments on the posts, asking them to sell the merch via an online website so that global fans could have access to it.

BTS ARMY flocked to the property to meet the idol's father, the café, and buy the café merch. It is essential to remember that MAGNATE Café owns the merchandise copyright and that it is a product under its unique brand. Additionally, none of the merchandise items conflict with any BTS or HYBE items.

Here is the entire list of the café products:

14K Necklace — 46,200 Yen
Simsul Necklace — 22,000 Yen
MOCHI T-shirt — 5,280 Yen
NEVERMIND T-shirt – 5,610 Yen
HANDY FAN — 4,400 Yen
PAPA Sign T-shirt — 5,280
Shop Card — 550 Yen
Ballpoint Pen — 330 Yen
DRIP BAG COFFEE (6pc) — 1,728 Yen
Beer & High Ball Mag (2pc) — 6,050 Yen
SOJU GLASS (4pc) — 4,730 Yen
POUCH — 3,190 Yen
Hand Cream (3pc) — 3,190 Yen
Ball Cap — 5,500 Yen
Never Mind Bag — 3,850 Yen
CAT Bag — 3,850 Yen
CAT Zip-Up Hoodie — 11,880 Yen
1995 Zip Up Hoodie — 11,880 Yen
NEVERMIND Zip-Up Hoodie — 11,880 Yen
YOUTH Hoodie — 9,680 Yen
NEVERMIND Hoodie — 9,680 Yen
BIG NEVERMIND Hoodie — 9,680 Yen
SLIM NEVERMIND Hoodie — 9,680 Yen
CAT Sweatshirt — 8,580 Yen
YOUTH Sweatshirt — 8,580 Yen
1995 Sweatshirt — 8,580 Yen
BIG NEVERMIND Sweatshirt — 8,580 Yen
SLIM NEVERMIND Sweatshirt — 8,580 Yen
CAT Stripe T-shirt — 7,150 Yen
NEVERMIND Stripe T-shirt — 7,150 Yen
MUG TUMBLER — 5,478 Yen
Mug Cup — 3,190 YEN
Knit Cap — 4,300 Yen
Socks (3pc) — 3,850 Yen
Mask Pack (10pc) – 4,400 Yen
KEY RING — 1,320 Yen

Other BTS members' family members have businesses as well, such as Jin is the director of his brother's restaurant. BTS j-hope's sister owns a clothing label, MEJIWOO, launched in 2016. Namjoon's sister opened her restaurant, Café Far Ben, on July 5, 2024. Jungkook's brother owns a clothing label as well.

In 2023, Jimin's father, Park Hyun-soo, collaborated with Archieve4H Hotel to provide accommodations for ARMY who visit Busan. Several TikTok clips went viral where the BTS idol's father was captured handing out free yogurt drinks to fans who waited in a long queue to enter MAGNATE on the BTS member's birthday in October 2023.

Additionally, the idol's father often helped fans locate their lost passports via Instagram. He even contacted cab agencies to locate the belongings. Fans always lauded Jimin's father for his generosity and philanthropic deeds and would often crowd the café to meet him and get his signatures.

In other news, the BTS member enlisted in the military on December 12, 2023. He will return in June 2025.

Edited by Tiasha