In a bizarre turn of events, three girls from Maharashtra’s Dharashiv district, all of whom are minors, staged their own kidnapping to pursue their dream of traveling to South Korea and meeting members of the globally popular K-pop group BTS, police reported on Monday according to Hindustan Times.
The girls, aged 11 and 13, had planned to travel to Pune, intending to find work and earn enough money for their journey to South Korea. Their ultimate goal was to meet BTS, South Korea’s most famous musical group, consisting of members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, Kim Taehyung (V), and Jungkook.
The incident unfolded on December 27, when Dharashiv police received a distress call claiming that three girls had been forcibly taken away in a school van from Omerga taluka. Acting swiftly, the police tracked the call, which was made by a woman traveling on a state transport bus heading to Pune.
Authorities intercepted the bus in Solapur district’s Mohol area with assistance from local police and a shopkeeper at the Mohol bus stand. The girls were safely removed from the bus and brought to a local police station.
Upon investigation, the girls revealed their plan: to work in Pune and save enough money for a trip to South Korea to meet BTS. The group’s immense global influence, particularly among young fans, often inspires devotion and admiration.
BTS members have achieved international stardom, with their music breaking records and captivating millions worldwide. This year, Jin and J-Hope were discharged from military service, while the remaining members, RM, Suga, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—are set to complete their mandatory service next year.
This incident underscores the extraordinary lengths to which some fans are willing to go to connect with their idols. The police returned the minors to their parents and issued a statement urging guardians to monitor their children’s activities and internet usage more closely.
The story also highlights the powerful cultural impact of BTS, whose fans, known as ARMY, span across all age groups and nationalities. While the girls’ actions were concerning, they serve as a testament to the enduring global influence of K-pop and its stars.
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