Fans are convinced that BTS' Jimin inspired the 'Tae Young' character in the new Pixar film 'Turning Red'

Jimin is widely popular and highly influential around the world, and for most people, even those who know nothing about K-pop or BTS, the mention of BTS, K-pop, or South Korea immediately brings Jimin to mind [refer here]. In fact, even media outlets, both international and South Korean, will always use Jimin's images or Jimin-centered footage when reporting on any BTS-related news [refer here and here]. Well-known global artists get inspiration from him for their artwork [read here], and apart from constantly being recognized and receiving affection from A-list celebrities in Hollywood [read here and here], his first-ever self-written, composed, and produced song 'Friends' has already been featured in a Marvel movie as a soundtrack [read here] making it only the second time in history that a Korean song is included in a Hollywood blockbuster movie, following the featuring of Psy's 'Hangover' in Black Panther. There is no end to just how widespread his popularity and influence, and as per speculations from fans, it seems that Jimin has found himself involved in yet another major Hollywood movie release, which is yet another major achievement to his name.

To put it into context, Pixar has a new movie titled 'Turning Red.' Notably, Pixar Animation Studios, or simply Pixar, is an American computer animation studio based in Emeryville, California, and is widely known for its critically and commercially successful computer-animated feature films. The company is a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, which is owned by The Walt Disney Company. It is worth mentioning that Disney has produced 21 of the top 50 highest-grossing movies of all time, and revenues from the year 2020 placed it as the 4th largest movie studio company in the world [refer here].

Turning Red is a coming-of-age tale directed by Domee Shi about a young Chinese-Canadian girl, Mei-Lee, who morphs into a red panda whenever she gets too excited or stressed. The 13-year old girl is thus struggling on what path to take: should she remain calm and obedient or allow herself to experience the thrill that a young life/teenage life brings (which could see her turn into a red panda almost all the time). This film is widely being praised for being the company's first film ever to be led by Asians.

As such, Jimin being involved in any way in a movie from such a big company and in a ground-breaking film where it is the first time that Asians are leading both the production and cast is a big deal.

In this movie, there is a fictional boy group called 4*Town, consisting of 5 members. The group is one of the biggest artists to ever exist and also happens to be Mei's favorite band. The five members of the group each thrive in their individuality with distinctive characteristics, and the maknae (youngest member) of the group, Tae Young, is where the excitement comes in. Fans who have seen clips of the movie are convinced that this character is definitely inspired by Jimin. They nitpicked little details such as Jimin's mannerisms of caring for birds and other animals, his crooked tooth, the way he moves, how poses for photos, his kindness, and his overall look from the hair to the faces he makes. Everything seems to be perfectly aligned with Jimin as they know him. 

It has become such a hot topic on social media that POPSUGAR posted a feature article titled, “Did BTS’s Jimin Inspire Turning Red’s Tae Young? Is BTS’s Jimin in Pixar’s “Turning Red”? Fans Think So". The article further mentions that “Fans are pretty convinced the character (Tae Young) is based on Jimin.”

Here are some of the comparisons from fans.

معلومة 🌟 | سَيصدر فيلم ديزني جديد بعنوان 'Turning Red' والذي آثار ضجة عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، بعد مُلاحظة ان شخصية 'Tae Young' ماكني فرقة الفتيان الخيالية 4 Town مُلهم ومستوحى من شخصية من الكيبوب والذي بالتأكيد من 'شخصية جيمين' +
pic.twitter.com/dqprjStdjn

— JIMIN AR (@ArabicJimin1) March 8, 2022

pic.twitter.com/GTIpwcFB4X

— JIMIN AR (@ArabicJimin1) March 8, 2022

Oh and we have to mention that his character is supposed to be "the cute one" inspired by a "modern k-pop group". He has also fostered an injured dove! Does that ring any bells? pic.twitter.com/0GVEgxlLd1

— JIMIN INDIA 🇮🇳 Yoongi Day 🍊 (@JIMIN_INDIA_) March 8, 2022

Celebrities and Disney getting inspired by jimin as the main kpop boy THAT WHY HE IS THE IT BOY pic.twitter.com/Q95IEVgX4h

— 𝒩 ₁₃ 🍒jm ost soon✨ (@liesuperior) March 8, 2022

like this character was definitely inspired by The jimin 😭😂 pic.twitter.com/wWztAhcbl8

— 𝑺𝑱𝑴 🍊 (@stussyjimin) March 8, 2022

to think that jimin's likeness will forever be immortalized in a pixar movie 🥺🥺 pic.twitter.com/HD8wt6REPW

— daily jimin 🍊 (@pjmfilmz) March 8, 2022

Like am I the only one seeing the resemblance? 😭🤣 pic.twitter.com/qYtJghzZwP

— Joy 🦋 AGUST D-DAY❤ (@KiittyGangJM) March 8, 2022

Jiminie tooth as well 🤧 pic.twitter.com/fU0mwyYzT2

— little prince (@dailyjimn) March 8, 2022

They even got his tooth and pouty lips and the fact that he worries about injured birds 😭 it's clearly based on him https://t.co/rbXGE1gyTv pic.twitter.com/dNrQx1G2wW

— . (@minieskies) March 8, 2022

And he takes care of birds?! 😭https://t.co/m31HgzD0T4

— AnnMarie Roberts (@cobra_cake) March 8, 2022

y’all it’s literally jimin pic.twitter.com/PXcosNZbsB

— panda⁷✙ YOONGI DAY (@njkoospanda) March 8, 2022

POPSUGAR, the #1 most engaged-with women’s lifestyle site in the US, posted a feature article, “Did BTS’s Jimin Inspire Turning Red’s Tae Young? Is BTS’s Jimin in Pixar’s “Turning Red”? Fans Think So.

“Fans are pretty convinced the character (Tae Young) is based on Jimin.” pic.twitter.com/czvRFeiZ14

— Park Jimin USA 🇺🇸 (@ParkJiminUSA95) March 9, 2022

Pixar has based characters on boy-band members in the past, so could Tae Young from #TurningRed be inspired by #BTS's #JIMIN? https://t.co/Nf37vAtcLu

— POPSUGAR (@POPSUGAR) March 8, 2022

Pixar has based characters on boy-band members in the past, so could Tae Young from #TurningRed be inspired by #BTS's #JIMIN? https://t.co/clRw1JupHX

— POPSUGAR UK (@POPSUGARUK) March 9, 2022

On Tiktok, the video clip has accumulated over 1.7 million views and over 266k likes in just two days. Some other videos specifically pointing out the resemblance between Jimin and Tae Young have accumulated over 200k and 140k views. The comment section in all these videos is also filled with people convinced that Tae Young is definitely Jimin, and some even say they will watch the film just because of the Jimin reference.

@milkyywaves__ Am I the only one who thinks so?! #turningred #4town #turningred2022 #fyp ♬ Nobody Like U - From "Turning Red"/Chorus - 4*TOWN (From Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red)

@milkyywaves__ Reply to @bellaangel369 Y’all see the resemblance or? #turningred #4town #turningrededit #turningred2022 #fyp ♬ original sound - carl_debbie_shameless

@milkyywaves__ Reply to @ziillx Tae Young Appreciation #turningred #4town #turningred2022 #turningrededit #fyp #edit ♬ original sound - 🍪

Jimin's influence is undeniable and unmatched, and with all the times he is linked to Hollywood celebrities and films and the attention he receives from bigshots in the film industry, fans are convinced that it would be no surprise if he made an appearance in a Hollywood movie soon.

Next stop Jimin as Prince Eric in the live action. Or as a original Korean prince as he is 😁
pic.twitter.com/PYRzVO82sm

— . (@minieskies) March 8, 2022

It is always a moment of joy and pride for Jimin's fans whenever he is acknowledged and featured in such major projects because he is highly talented and the best human being, and he deserves all the good things in life.