Back on April 29, hanbok designer Kim Rieul released an official statement to address the cancelled auction of a hanbok suit, worn by BTS's Jimin.

The designer began, "As a result of HYBE's request for the cancellation of the auction, as well as various other factors including the protests of some malicious fans, I have decided to pull the piece out of the auction."

He added on:

"As a citizen of the Republic of Korea, I am someone who felt great pride witnessing BTS making our country known throughout the world.

Additionally, as a designer for the past 6 years, I have created over 300 pieces of hanbok, for anyone who wished to represent Korea, whether they were famous or not; I made each piece paying for all of the costs out of my own pocket, not receiving any payments in return.

I wanted to participate in the recent auction as recently, the Chinese have been arguing that hanbok belonged to them, and around the same time, one of Korea's most representative fine art auctions, My Art Auction, provided me with a good opportunity; and so I hoped that this event would be meaningful in more ways than just the simple act of auctioning hanbok.

Unfortunately, the auction has been cancelled this time; however, I promise to continue greeting you all with good hanbok designs in the future."

Previously, some fans criticized designer Kim Rieul as well as those behind My Art Auction for marketing the auction of the hanbok suit, worn by BTS's Jimin, as "unwashed" with the "stains still there".