BTS and Seventeen fans clash over J-hope and Hoshi’s ‘Horanghae’ pun
Sebastian Wright
Updated on March 27, 2026
Those who are Seventeen fans know that there is an inside joke between the group and fans about Hoshi’s ‘horanghae’. With the member’s representative animal being the tiger, he often uses the pun ‘horanghae’ which is a combination of ‘tiger’ and ‘I love you’ in Korean. And when J-hope aka Hobi captioned his latest Instagram post as ‘horanghae’, fans were excited for the mini interaction between their favorites. But some fans have created a toxic atmosphere by gatekeeping the word for their idol.
Since J-hope and Hoshi are both under the same company, some fans wondered if they are friends, which is why the star must have used the word ‘horanghae’. We also had Hoshi liking J-hope’s Instagram post and uploading a selfie in response. However, some fans were not happy with the interaction. Some ARMY (BTS’ fandom) claimed that J-hope had invented the word while some (Seventeen’s fandom) tried to bar those who are not fans from using the word.
RELATED ARTICLES
What is 'horanghae'?
Seventeen’s Hoshi first came up with the wordplay in June 2019 when he posted a photo of his hand in the shape of a tiger paw and captioned it ‘horanghae’. On the other hand, BTS often use wordplay with ‘I love you’ as seen with V coming up with the pun ‘Borahae’ which means ‘I purple you’ or ‘I love you till the end of days’ since purple is the last rainbow color. J-hope captioned his post which has a tiger decoration as 'horanghae'. Many fans also think that he might have used the wordplay since 2022 is the year of the tiger. And whether or not he came up with the ‘horanghae’ pun on his own or got in on Hoshi’s inside joke, a majority of fans have disassociated themselves from the toxic fans who are creating a fan war as to who started the pun.
We had some ARMY making tweets like, “Horanghae was invented by hobi today. he’s so cute for that!” and “17 stans thinking hobi is copying their hoshi guy by using horanghae as if Hobi even knows who that is like-” We also had some Carats responding negatively, “U will never be hoshi!” and “That @ user [J-hope] with caption horanghae in insta must be a carat.”
horanghae was invented by hobi today. he’s so cute for that!
— Dorée. (@deuxvirgos) December 27, 2021
17 stans thinking hobi is copying their hoshi guy by using horanghae as if Hobi even knows who that is like-😭
— trusfrated⁷ (@shawtaee) December 27, 2021
That @ user with caption horanghae in insta must be a carat 💎
Welcome to the diamond life !
— sophia 💋 uji RUBY (@17_XVII_teen) December 27, 2021
'Collab when?'
However most multi fans were happy as some even wondered if it was a hint at Hoshi being featured on J-hope’s new solo music. One fan shared, “Hoshi and J-hope collab when????” Another joked, “I can see hobi going "AAAH HOSHI-YA HORANGHAAAEEEE" every time they bump into eo in hybe lifts and hoshi giggling and screaming back the same while the other members of both teams profusely bow and apologize jdhjsks.” Another made a reaction meme, “Hobi & hoshi meeting today at hybe's building after that horanghae instagram post by uarmyhope (real).” Another wondered, “What if in Hope world 2, there is a feat.”
Hoshi and J-hope collab when????
— RJ⁷✙🌱 (@rj_whalien52) December 27, 2021
I can see hobi going "AAAH HOSHI-YA HORANGHAAAEEEE" every time they bump into eo in hybe lifts and hoshi giggling and screaming back the same while the other members of both teams profusely bow and apologize jdhjsks
— zoe⁷ (@taemunchkin) December 27, 2021
hobi & hoshi meeting today at hybe's building after that horanghae instagram post by uarmyhope (real)
— joy⁷ (@yoongismini) December 27, 2021
What if in Hope world 2, there is a feat. 😏😏
— Mr. Gemini ♊ (@Lenuj_nagabaT) December 27, 2021
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.