Jimin didn’t name names. He didn’t issue a manifesto. He simply went live and spoke about how “being a good adult” isn’t easy—and the internet did the rest. In early October 2025, following his appearance at Dior’s Paris show, the BTS vocalist hosted a candid livestream that many viewers interpreted as a restrained nod to the dating discourse that has shadowed him since late summer. The reaction was immediate and split: some praised the maturity, others called it evasive.

The short version

• Oct 1–2, 2025 (Paris): Jimin appears at Dior and then goes live, reflecting on adulthood and pressures—comments fans read as a subtle response to dating chatter. 

• Aug 31, 2025: BIGHIT MUSIC issues a rare statement: Jimin and the other party once dated “many years ago,” but are not currently together; the company urges an end to speculation.

• Oct 3, 2025: Headlines summarize the split reaction online to Jimin’s “subtle response.” 

How we got here: a quick timeline

• Aug 27, 2025: A TikTok clip and social posts revive rumors linking Jimin and actress Song Da-eun, igniting fan investigations and media coverage. 

• Aug 31, 2025: BIGHIT’s press statement acknowledges a past relationship that ended years ago and asks fans to avoid invasive speculation—cutting through weeks of rumor. 

• Sept 2025: Additional reporting and explainers echo the company’s stance and clarify that current dating claims are unfounded. 

• Oct 1–2, 2025: From Paris, Jimin hosts a livestream. Without addressing names, he talks about life, growth, and the strain of public scrutiny—comments many read as an indirect reply. 

• Oct 3, 2025: “Netizens mixed” becomes the headline: some praise his poise; others wanted a firmer line.

What Jimin actually said (and didn’t)

Multiple outlets highlighted one idea from his live: striving to be “a good adult” is hard, and he’s still figuring it out. There was no explicit confirmation or denial beyond BIGHIT’s earlier statement, and no new names or details—only a personal frame about responsibility, growth, and moving forward with music. 

Why the reaction is so divided

1. Expectation vs. boundaries: After an official agency statement, some fans expected absolute closure. Jimin chose reflective language rather than point-by-point rebuttal—totally fair for a private matter, yet emotionally unsatisfying for those seeking certainty.

2. Parasocial pressure: K-pop’s intimacy economy primes audiences to read subtext into every word, emoji, and playlist. A single sentence can be cast as “proof,” especially when rumor cycles are fresh. (See how “subtle response” headlines took off overnight.) 

3. Misinformation residue: Fact-checks last month showed how mistranslations and old posts were recirculated as “break-up letters,” muddying the waters long after the record was set straight.

Industry and fandom takeaways

• Statements are not cure-alls: Even a clear corporate statement (“the past relationship ended years ago”) can’t instantly unwind viral narratives once they’ve imprinted on fandom memory. 

• Artist welfare matters: Jimin’s choice to center well-being and craft—not the rumor—models a healthier communication style that protects mental health while still acknowledging fans. 

• Media literacy is key: When coverage amplifies “subtle response” frames, it can unintentionally re-fuel speculation. Readers should weigh primary sources and official statements before embracing spicy interpretations. 

Where things stand now

As of October 5, 2025, the only on-record update remains BIGHIT’s Aug 31 clarification: a past relationship that ended years ago, and a request to refrain from invasive speculation. Jimin’s early-October live leaned into honesty about adulthood and creative focus—without reopening the rumor. The conversation among netizens remains mixed, but the artist’s path forward appears centered on music and personal growth. 

Editor’s note (headline change):
Original: “Netizens Mixed on BTS’s Jimin’s ‘Subtle Response’ to Dating Rumors.”
New title: Between Honesty and Rumor: How Jimin’s Quiet Words Sparked a Loud Debate