The Meaning of Jungkook - by Monica Kim

As a BTS fan, I approached The Meaning of Jungkook with skepticism, and unfortunately, it confirmed my worst fears. This unauthorized biography by Monica Kim feels less like a tribute and more like a calculated attempt to capitalize on Jungkook’s global fame. The book’s central flaw is its audacity to speak for an artist without his consent, presenting Kim’s subjective opinions as definitive truths. Her assertions about Jungkook’s life and career are often speculative, lacking credible sources, and read like the musings of a sasaeng fan—obsessive, presumptuous, and uncomfortably invasive. Kim’s narrative overreaches, inflating what could have been a concise article into a bloated book that feels stretched and repetitive. The grandiose title promises deep insights but delivers little beyond recycled anecdotes and the author’s personal projections. This isn’t a scholarly analysis or an official account endorsed by BTS or Jungkook; it’s a self-initiated project that reeks of opportunism. For ARMY, who value authenticity and respect for the members’ privacy, this comes across as parasitic, exploiting a star’s name for profit. The most unsettling aspect is the ethical question of earning money off someone else’s story without their approval. Kim’s tone assumes an authority she doesn’t possess, as if she has the right to define Jungkook’s “meaning.” Fans deserve better than this glorified fanfiction masquerading as biography. If you’re looking for a genuine look into BTS, stick to Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS—an official work that respects the artists. This book left me disappointed and wary of its motives.