Weibo Pulls the Plug on Jimin’s Fan Club for 60 Days
The Chinese social‑media giant Weibo has officially slapped a two‑month ban on the fan club of Jimin, one of the members of the K‑pop sensation BTS. The decision comes amid a broader crackdown on celebrity fan culture in China.
Why the Shut‑Down?
- Weibo cited a “violation of its rules” for banning the account “Jimin Bar” from posting during the 60‑day period.
- The club’s “crowdfunding campaign” to celebrate Jimin’s upcoming 26th birthday on October 13 was the source of the violation.
How the Fund‑raiser Made a Splash
When the fan club launched the campaign back in April, it pulled in a whopping 1 million yuan ($208,000) in just three minutes. By the end of the first hour, the total had climbed to 2.3 million yuan. Impressive, right?
What the Funds Got You
Thanks to the windfall, the club partnered with Jeju Air to style the exterior of a plane from September 1 to November 30. Passengers could look out the windows and see the celebratory splashes of “Happy Jimin Day”.
The airline didn’t stop there: customized cups and tickets on board echoed the same festive message.
Even the Press Got in on the Action
- Ads featuring Jimin appeared in The New York Times and The Times on his birthday.
- On Twitter, the club boasted it would be the “world’s first fan support to appear in both newspapers at the same time with the largest scale and promotion.”
What’s Next?
Got any plans to keep up the celebratory vibe now that Jimin’s fan club’s voice is muted on Weibo? Share your thoughts!
