The Controversy Surrounding CloverWorks’ Animated Short for 7FATES: CHAKHO
The recent unveiling of an 11-minute animated short by the renowned Japanese studio CloverWorks has sparked intense discussions among fans. Intended to promote the BTS-inspired webtoon 7FATES: CHAKHO, the short notably excludes Jimin’s character, Haru, leading to significant disappointment and debates regarding the representation of all BTS members within this project.
Understanding 7FATES: CHAKHO
7FATES: CHAKHO is an urban fantasy webtoon produced in collaboration with HYBE, the enterprise responsible for BTS’s success. Set in the dystopian city of Sin-si, the narrative revolves around seven young men turned tiger hunters, known as Chakho, who band together to combat dangerous supernatural beasts referred to as beom. The characters are inspired by BTS members, adding a unique twist for the fandom:
- Haru (Jimin): A former guardian spirit now living as a human, tasked with protecting the boundary between the human and beom realms.
- Zeha (Jungkook): The central character who awakens without memory, finding out he is destined to fight beom.
- Jooan (V): A compassionate soul entangled in a complicated relationship with a beom.
- Do-geon (RM): A weapons expert with resilience and affinity for crime, showcasing robust physical and mental strength.
- Hosu (j-hope): A character with a mysterious past involving captivity by beom, which grants him extraordinary skills.
- Cein (Suga): A survivor of a beom attack haunted by trauma, driven by a desire for revenge.
- Hwan (Jin): An easygoing archer whose fate twists upon an encounter with a beom.
This webtoon made its debut on January 14, 2022, concluding on May 19, 2023, and has amassed nearly 35 million views during its run.
The Animated Short: Reception and Criticism
Produced by CloverWorks, a studio notable for titles like Spy x Family and Wonder Egg Priority, this animated piece aimed to vividly portray the exciting world of the webtoon. Directed by Shin Wakabayashi, it is visually striking and narratively compelling, featuring voice talents such as Shoya Ishige (Zeha) and Yuichi Nakamura (Jooan).
However, the release was met with considerable backlash as viewers quickly recognized Haru’s absence, provoking widespread disappointment and concern on social media. Many fans felt this exclusion undermined the story’s integrity and diminished Jimin’s role in the project.
“I hope you guys don’t support this, they completely erased Haru (Jimin’s character)… he is being sabotaged in every universe.”
Comments flooded in, questioning the motives behind the omission:
“Wait now that watched it, why is there a girl instead of Jimin’s character?”a fan wrote.
“Could’ve have stick with the original plot and characters. My OG Zeha and Haru,”another fan said.
Plausible Reasons Behind Haru’s Absence
Some fans speculated that Haru’s character either was entirely omitted from the adaptation or had been transformed into a different character represented in the short. A few argued that the short may not directly reflect 7FATES: CHAKHO storyline, but rather serves as an interpretation. This speculation hinted at the possibility of creative liberties leading to character disparities that confused viewers:
“This may be an ‘inspired by’ situation, not a direct adaptation of the webtoon.”
Exploring the Themes and Cultural Significance of 7FATES: CHAKHO
Delving into the story, 7FATES: CHAKHO is rooted in the rich folklore surrounding the tiger hunters known as chakhogapsa, who served during the Joseon Dynasty. The narrative intertwines traditional elements with modernity, exploring themes such as destiny, resilience, and camaraderie amidst supernatural challenges.
The central plot follows Zeha’s awakening in a hospital bereft of memory, leading him to uncover his connection to the beom and encounter the other members of the Chakho unit. Together, they embark on a perilous journey combatting the beom while addressing their personal demons. This intricate narrative underscores the strength found in unity, ultimately culminating in a gripping finale that highlights sacrifice and teamwork.
Interestingly, 7FATES: CHAKHO has also inspired the K-drama Begins Youth, which features characters named after the webtoon’s protagonists, further blending the realms of music and visual storytelling.
For those interested, 7FATES: CHAKHO is fully available for reading on the WEBTOON platform, where fans can immerse themselves in the complete story.