Friendship Day 2023: From BTS's Taehyung's Wooga squad to RM and Jackson; Korean idols who are BFFs
Updated On: 2023-07-23 05:20 PM IST
Compiled by : Harshita Kale
The WOOGA Squad
The WOOGA Squad is a friendship group originally formed by actor Park Seo-joon, who met BTS‘ V and Park Hyung-sik on the sets of “Hwarang” (2016). He later introduced them to Choi Woo-shik and Peakboy, officially forming the quintuplet. “WOOGA” is an abbreviation for “Woori-ga gajok-inka?” which translates to “Are we family?”, since the group spends a lot of time together
The WOOGA squad is known to hang out a lot and go on several excursions together. They often post goofy pictures from their time together like this one in a swimming pool. The group became so beloved that they even starred in a reality show titled 'In The Soop: Friendcation.' In the show, the squad explored new areas, cooked and cleaned together and had a memorable time, endearing themselves even more to fans
BTS's RM and GOT7's Jackson Wang
Namjoon and Jackson are best friend-goals in the Korean entertainment industry. They met through a mutual friend as trainees before their debuts – Jackson at JYP Entertainment and RM at Big Hit Entertainment. When RM invited Jackson onto the 2015 quiz show Problematic Men as a guest, Jackson shared how their friendship began. RM spoke such good English when they met that the Hong Kong-born Jackson assumed RM was also from outside of Korea, and thus would click instantly with him. Despite the initial misunderstanding, the Korean native and Jackson complemented each other perfectly when they got to know each other more
In an interview, Jackson also shared how Namjoon balances his hyper puppy-like self perfectly - the BTS leader is reserved and chooses his words carefully, which make him the perfect confidante and advisor. Even though the two don't meet each other very frequently, they often give shout-outs to each other at award shows - now that's what we call a secure friendship!
BTS's Jimin and Ha Sung-Woon
Jimin and soloist Sungwoon quite literally broke the internet when they released their duet 'With You,' which was the soundtrack for the Kdrama, 'Our Blues.' But the duo's bond extends much beyond the professional - Jimin shared how excluding the BTS members, Sung Woon was the first ever friend he made after moving to Seoul. They had continued to share their music with each other over the years. Talking about how their collaboration came to be, he said, “Someday, when we both make it big, it would be something special if we made a song together and sent it out into the world”
BTS's Jin and Jungkook
BTS's oldest member Kim Seokjin and youngest, Jeon Jungkook share nothing less than a Tom-and-Jerry-esque friendship. The two bicker, banter and pull each other's leg to no end - but we suspect this has something to do with the fact that they love each the most as well!
BTS's Jimin and Taehyung
Jimin and Taehyung are the famed '95 liners in the Kpop world. Born in the same year 1995 means that the two are 'chingu,' or 'friends' in the literal sense, which allowed them to speak informally and comfortably with each other since their very first meeting. It also allowed them to become the best of friends over the years. From fighting over dumplings and not talking to each other for days, Jimin and Taehyung eventually wrote emotional songs and letters for each other and as a tribute to their friendship including the song -'FRIENDS.' If you ever find your Jimin/Taehyung - never let them go!
SEVENTEEN's Seungkwan and Astro's Moonbin
Boybands SEVENTEEN and Astro have been friends for a long time - constantly cheering for and supporting each other when either group releases new music or at award shows. But Seungkwan and Moonbin have shared an especially deep bond. Seungkwan once recalled how Moonbin had forgotten about the plans the two had made because of his exhausting schedule - and this shared relatability of the hardships of the Kpop industry had brought the two idols closer together. After Moonbin tragically died by suicide earlier this year, Seungkwan penned an emotional note saying that they will be friends in this life and forever
SEVENTEEN'S Seungkwan, Hoshi and Dokyeom
Endearingly coined BooSeokSoon, this trio is nothing short of a comedic act when they get together. BookSeokSoon released several songs together comprising talented main dancer Hoshi and main vocalists DK and Seungkwan. All three have only a year's age difference between them. While Hoshi teases Seungkwan till the end of his tolerance, Dokyeom is the amicable mediator. Fans love to see this trio on-screen!
The '97 liners
The Korean entertainment industry has witnessed the formation of beautiful cross-group friendships - and the '97 liners are one fo them. The 97-liners squad consists of nine members. BTS’ Jungkook, GOT7’s Yugyeom and BamBam, SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu, The8 and DK, ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo, NCT’s Jaehyun and recently added Stray Kids' Bang Chan. The squad is known for its wholesome friendship since all the members are born in the same year despite debuting in different years. The group often reunite for dinners together
TXT's Yeonjung and ATEEZ's Wooyoung
In the fourth generation of K-pop, the duo Wooyoung and Yeonjun are making waves. Initially part of a trio including Stray Kids' Changbin, their more recent interactions center around just the two of them. Yeonjun and Woonyoung often address each other playfully on livestreams and share inside jokes at award shows
TXT's Beomgyu and Stray Kids' I.N.
Beomgyu being the social butterfly that he is, it's no surprise that he has several friends across idol groups, one of them being Stray Kids' I.N. Beomgyu and I.N are same-aged friends, being born about a month apart in 2001. In 2020, Beomgyu shared that he had spent New Year’s Day hanging out with I.N and I.N’s groupmate Hyunjin, who is one year older. The two have even shared backstage photos from various award shows, reassuring fans that their friendships is alive and thriving!
Jeon Somi and AB6IX’s Lee Daehwi
This duo is one of the rare public friendships between idols of different genders. Somi and Daehwi met as trainees and have remained close ever since!
ENHYPEN's Jay and Sunwoo
ENHYPEN's blunt Jay and soft-hearted Sunwoo share an unusual but sweet friendship despite being so unlike each other. Sunwoo admitted that the two didn't interact much during their training period, but started getting closer when they recorded and worked on music together. He eventually came to see Jay as a person he could rely on, "When we were recording, and I had my first conversation with Jay Hyung, he told me he could teach me the choreography if I want to learn it and I remember being really touched by his comment. So I still remember that," he said
TWICE's Nayeon and Red Velvet's Yeri
TWICE's Nayeon is buddies with everyone, and that includes the Red Velvet crew. But when it comes to Yeri, they're especially close. Even with a 4-year age gap, their bond is solid. Whether they're goofing around with butt grabs or sharing heartfelt hugs, Nayeon and Yeri's friendship moments are something else! (so are female friendships)
SHINEE's Key and Taeyeon
Taeyeon and Key have been best friends since pre-debut when they trained together to become the top idols that they are now. They surprised fans with a sweet picture of Taeyeon visiting her friend during his military service
Stray Kids' Lee Know and Hyunjin
This laugh-a-minute duo, Lee Know and Hyunjin, are fan favorites thanks to the legendary tissue tale. Lee Know hilariously warns he'll cram Hyunjin's mouth with tissues when they're butting heads. But that's not their only unique way of sorting out their squabbles - STAYs will recall the unforgettable air fryer episode. Their comical friendship is just pure gold!
TWICE's Jihyo and Kim Se Jeong
On April 9, Kim Se Jeong, the singer-actress and ex-Gugudan member, popped up on Instagram to show off her freshly chopped and dyed hair. And guess who was hanging out with her? TWICE's Jihyo! Their snaps together scream 'bestie goals' and she captioned them as "Jyo and Jeju." Seems like Se Jeong and Jihyo had a blast on their Jeju Island getaway
IU and Yoo In-na
K-pop icon IU and actress Yoo In-na's friendship is well-documented. The beloved duo hit it off during the variety show Heroes, aired from 2010 to 2011, and have been joined at the hip since. From globetrotting, sporting matching rings, to living under the same roof - their bond is unshakeable
TWICE's Chaeyong and Jeon Somi
Somi and Chaeyoung have a seven-year-long friendship that began while training at JYP Entertainment. Despite Somi's move to The Black Label for her solo career, their bond remains unbroken. They continue to support each other, testifying to the strength of their friendship over the past years