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Chinese BTS fans banned by Weibo over airplane customised for singer Jimin's birthday

The Jimin plane is made in cooperation with Jeju Air. (Photo: Twitter/JIMINBAR_CHINA)
The Jimin plane was made by Jimin's fans in cooperation with Jeju Air. (Photo: Twitter/JIMINBAR_CHINA)

BTS' Jimin’s Chinese fansite Jimin Bar has been banned by Weibo from posting for 60 days from 5 September because of their crowdfunded “Jimin plane”. The custom-designed plane is part of Jimin Bar’s plans to celebrate the singer’s birthday, which falls on 13 October.

Since April this year, Jimin Bar had been pooling funds to prepare for the birthday celebration. They had pooled more than 1 million yuan (about S$208,000) within just three minutes, and more than 2.3 million yuan (about S$478,000) within an hour.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 20: Jimin of BTS during BTS's New Album 'BE (Deluxe Edition)' Release Press Conference at Dongdaemun Design Plaza on November 20, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images)
Jimin of BTS during BTS's New Album 'BE (Deluxe Edition)' Release Press Conference at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images)

The Jimin plane was made in cooperation with Jeju Air, and was planned to operate for three months from 1 September to 30 November under the flight number HL8087. In addition, Jimin Bar had also planned advertisements, to be published on 13 October, in The New York Times and The Times.

Their actions have sparked heated discussions among Chinese netizens, especially after the Chinese authorities have recently announced measures to eradicate “irrational idol chasing”.

Weibo clarified in a post that the crowdfunded plane is against the rules, and that they have removed Jimin Bar’s post on the plane. They also emphasised that Weibo is against such irrational idol chasing behaviours, and will deal with such activities strictly.

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