Jimin gives a key chain and a kiss on the cheek to a young cancer patient during a concert in Arlington, Texas, Saturday. (Instagram @heroesforchildren)
A brief encounter between Jimin of BTS and a young fan undergoing pediatric cancer treatment at the group’s latest concert has drawn widespread attention online.
BTS was performing at the Arlington, Texas, stop of the group’s “Arirang” world tour Saturday. In the audience were children supported by Heroes for Children, a Texas nonprofit that provides assistance to the families of children battling cancer.
In videos circulating online, Jimin stepped offstage and approached a young fan identified as Olivya. He handed her a key chain, gently patted her head, then hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.
Visibly stunned, Olivya repeatedly exclaimed, “I got a kiss,” before turning to footage she had recorded of the encounter.
“Still not over this moment. Thank you BTS for giving our girl Olivya the sweetest hug at last night’s concert in Arlington! A core memory she’ll never forget,” the organization wrote in a social media post Monday.
Videos that captured the moment quickly proliferated online, with fans around the world praising Jimin’s interaction with Olivya, while many also left messages wishing her a full recovery.
BTS’ North American leg of its “Arirang” tour is set to continue with stops including Toronto, Chicago and Los Angeles.
shwang9@heraldcorp.com