⁠“It's not that hard to include all seven members”: Fans upset at GQ Magazine for not including BTS’ V in the thumbnail of their March cover shoot

Following the discovery that V was absent from the thumbnail used to advertise the group's March cover shoot with GQ Magazine, fans of BTS, called the ARMY, have expressed their disappointment. Although all seven members are featured in the story, the promotional thumbnail went viral as it left out one of the group's most well-known figures. A user wrote:

"It's not that hard to include all seven members. Please correct it and include Kim Taehyung V as it should."

It did not take much time for the promotional thumbnail to go viral once ARMY noticed it. As one pointed out, the disappearance of Kim Taehyung V, others noted that any apparent exclusion is especially sensitive because BTS has continuously promoted their identity as a seven-member group since their debut.

For the ARMY, it was not a question of aesthetics but of inclusion, and V's disappearance from the thumbnail raised an issue of their identity. Comments such as "BTS is 7" soon flooded the internet.

A recurring frustration for ARMY

This is not the first instance where fans have shown such strong reactions to a promotional mistake involving V. In 2021, the luxury brand Louis Vuitton was criticized for an oversight in a promotional video: only six members of BTS were featured, even though V was tagged in the post. Fans then labeled the incident as “unprofessional” and asked the brand to repost the corrected video.

There have also been instances in the past where V’s name was allegedly not included in the cast list, credits, or promotional teasers related to group projects. It happened in award shows as well. In each case, ARMY rallied behind the cause.

With this happening in the past, GQ's thumbnail incident reignited concerns of BTS members' visibility.

V from BTS

V from BTS, whose real name is Kim Taehyung, is one of the most influential members of BTS. Over the years, he has developed a huge fan base for his voice, stage presence, and solo performances. In addition to being a well-known musician and actor, V is also a fashion icon who is well-admired for his style.

In a past interview with GQ, V has spoken about upholding integrity and adhering to his personal values, stressing that it came from having "a clear conscience and sense of honor."

Fans' reaction to V being chopped from the thumbnail of their March cover shoot

After observing that V seemed to be chopped out of the thumbnail advertising BTS' March cover shoot with GQ, fans have continued to express their annoyance. Members of the ARMY contend that the thumbnail should depict the complete group, even if the full story features all seven members. A user wrote:

"It's not that hard to include all seven members. Please correct it and include Kim Taehyung V as it should."

Another emphasized how passionately they felt about equal representation, as Taehyung was missing at the beginning of the clip:

"GQ starting the clip a few seconds without Taehyung is illegal."

A third user added:

"Is it intentional that only six people are on the screen? It's written as Seven Stars. I'm sorry if I'm selfish. The first screen is what everyone sees. Please make sure to show Taehyung."

While another urged to fix the proportion of the thumbnail and reupload it so that all seven members could be seen, as it was a cover for their comeback:

"We hereby urge you please kindly post the video in a proportion that could cover all the members.Kim Taehyung seems to be missing in the first and last clips and also the thumbnail. This is not a good look for an issue that covers the ot7 comeback."

Another user stated that the other GQ accounts had posted all seven of them, while in the main account, V was missing:

"The other GQ were able to use a video where you can see all seven of them, but not you, YOU failed miserably. Where is Taehyung at the start and end video??"

While another described the omission as unprofessional and expressed disappointment with the magazine:

"I hope Taehyung will not work with your magazine again,soooo unprofessional."

Not all responses were negative, as one praised the feature and celebrated the bands’ return as a full group:

"Nearly 4 years of military service and they come back even sharper. What's wild is most boy bands fade after a hiatus like this — BTS didn't just survive it, they used it. Each member dropped solo work that proved they weren't dependent on the group formula. Now reuniting feels less like nostalgia and more like a supergroup forming for the first time. GQ understood the assignment."

Trending

As of now, GQ Magazine has not issued a response or corrected the issue.

Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.

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