“How to unfilo” began trending on Twitter last August 25 after rumors that a Filipino fan of k-pop group BTS arranged a protest truck on behalf of one of the group’s member, Jin.
Stationed outside of the group’s agency, Big Hit Entertainment, the truck displayed claims of the mistreatment of Jin in terms of line distribution and screen time compared to his members. Aside from this, it included demands for better opportunities such as acting ventures for the k-pop idol.
Sketchy how the truck sent talks about Jin’s achievement and yet the staffs asked them to remove the truck!!!
Are you ppl at @bts_bighit @BigHitEnt a Jin anti??
What’s your problem with a truck that displays Jin’s achievements??#JinDeservesMore #JinDeservesBetter #seokjinnie pic.twitter.com/xagFK66AWY
— 𝐊𝐒𝐉’𝐬 𝐏𝐑 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐑 ✒ { 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞🌹} (@JIN_NATION_ARMY) August 25, 2020
This caused mixed reactions from the BTS ARMY, as photos of the truck circulated online. Some fans supported the message of the truck, believing it to be an effective way of speaking up about the alleged injustice.
Bighit, you never appreciate him as an artists and actor. Vocalist who doesn’t get lines, visual who doesn’t get screen time, you’re wrong for doing this. Give him equal treatment. #BigHitBeFairToJin#BigHitLetJinShine#BigHitLetJinAct@BigHitEnt pic.twitter.com/dApLBJ0Bfz
— Actor Jin 🌙 (IA) (@instantfunkjin) August 25, 2020
On the other hand, several ARMYs have expressed their concerns regarding the truck, seeing it as out of line as it may lead to humiliation for Jin and the rest of BTS. Furthermore, they believe there are better ways of reaching out to the company.
What you’re allowed to do: feel upset about line distribution. Email bh. Tweet about it respectfully.
What you’re not allowed to do: get a gigantic truck to blast out how j!n is being treated unfairly in front of bh which will only cause extreme public humiliation. Stop!
— Kat ~ Jin Harem AUs (@JinSquishes) August 22, 2020
Several tweets surfaced, claiming that a Filipino fan had been responsible for the protest truck. This caused some Filipino ARMYs to trend “how to unfilo” on Twitter, stating their desire to stop being Filipino due to the shame brought about by the Filipino fan. Filo is considered an modern term for Filipino.
wait– the international army that sent the truck is filipino? im embarassed
— dj⁷ #1 HOT 100 (@syubsanae) August 25, 2020
so apparently those who sent the trucks were filos ?!?! ugh, how to unfilo 🙄
— ً 𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐣𝐚𝐲 : jk day 🥳 (@kyeoptastic) August 25, 2020
Other Filipino ARMYs argue that the statement is blatantly disrespectful as it displays fans choosing their fandoms over their sense of nationalism. Aside from this, the trend is perceived as degrading and generalizing for Filipino fans.
A filipino army did something embarrassing and now the rest of them wants to know how to unfilo hahahahaha how about how to untoxic fandom? Can’t believe you’d place your fandom over your nationality smh no wonder there are armys who are embarrassed to associate with y’all
— mark paolo (@biiimb) August 25, 2020
“how to unfilo” so uhhh y’all already feel ashamed of being a filipino just because one of your fellow filo army did something stupid against a korean entertainment company ??? pic.twitter.com/zj3TyVKW4P
— okay (@asdfghjklsalma) August 25, 2020
Whether or not the truck was sent by a Filipino fan has not been confirmed, but if it is, perhaps that person needs to rethink whether it’s worth sacrificing national pride for fandoms.
POP! Creator Community / Christian Segui