"You all are terrible people"— Fans angered by trolls and fan wars mocking BTS' Taehyung's dog, Yeontan’s death

BTS' Taehyung shared heartbreaking news about the death of his Pomeranian, Yeontan, on December 2, 2024. He posted an emotional message on Instagram, revealing his hesitation to break the news but emphasizing the deep connection fans had with Yeontan. He wrote that Yeontan went on a “long journey to the stars” and hoped fans would remember him fondly.

Fans flooded social media with tributes while offering heartfelt condolences to the idol and his family. However, amidst the outpouring of love, a wave of insensitivity and trolling emerged, sparking widespread anger among fans.

A segment of netizens took the opportunity to mock Yeontan’s death, accusing Taehyung of using the loss for attention and claiming he was an absent caretaker due to his busy schedule. Some even compared Yeontan's death to the previous losses of other idols' pets, cruelly labeling it as "karma."

Social media posts criticized those using the loss to create memes, fuel fan wars, or spread hateful comments. Fans argued that pets are family and deserve respect, urging others to show kindness instead of cruelty. An X user, @tkkslayy wrote,

"It's heartbreaking to see so many people making fun of something so painful. Yeontan was family to Taehyung, and mocking his death shows how little empathy some people have. When you lose someone you love dearly,you will understand the pain and grief. You all are terrible people."

Fans took to social media and shared their own experiences of losing pets. They expressed solidarity for the singer’s love and care for his pet despite the busy schedule.

"Beyond disgusted by people on the Internet.. empathy is nonexistent anymore,' an X user wrote.

"mocking the death of a beloved pet like #Yeontan or any other isn't just disrespectful..it's inhumane. Pets are family to many, and their loss deserves empathy, not cruelty.. be kind," another fan commented.

"Kpop stans trying to have morals and act civil for once f**king fails once again. Yeontan isn’t part of your stupid *ss fan wars, leave him alone," an X user mentioned.

"actually judge people based on the way they treat animals so if you make jokes about an innocent dog that has passed away then I've already understood what kind of person you are. Sick m*s that don't deserve anything good in life,' a fan wrote.

The trolling and fan wars that followed Yeontan’s passing outraged many, with fans condemning the lack of empathy.

"It's an innocent dog and an innocent owner losing someone special in his life, one he cared for deeply for years, what the actual f*ck is wrong with y'all? Do you not know how being respectful works?," an user commented.

"remember why i got away from kpop as a whole bc ain't NO WAY people are making jokes about a dog passing away," a fan mentioned.

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More about BTS' Taehyung's pet dog, Yeontan, and his upcoming projects

Yeontan, fondly known as Tannie, has been a constant companion in Taehyung’s life since his introduction to fans in December 2017. The BTS member's dedication to giving Tannie the best life possible even after major heart problems was evident, as the pup frequently accompanied him in live streams, photoshoots, and more.

The Rainy Days singer made his dog an integral part of his solo works. The dog featured prominently on the cover and concept photos for Taehyung’s debut solo album, Layover, released in 2023. Yeontan’s presence extended to posters and music videos, with fans referring to him as having made his “debut” as a K-pop idol.

The idol’s upcoming release, a rendition of Bing Crosby’s classic White Christmas, recorded before his military enlistment, also includes Yeontan on the official poster. The heartwarming artwork, featuring Taehyung and Yeontan wearing festive Christmas hats, now carries a poignant meaning for fans.

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Currently serving in the military as a member of the Special Duty Team (SDT) since December 2023, Taehyung is set to be discharged in June 2025. Fans have rallied around him during this difficult time, offering support and condemning the insensitive remarks made by a minority of netizens.