BTS leaves ARMY in tears

BTS, the South Korean band that spearheaded a global K-pop craze, is taking a break as a group to work on solo projects, the singers announced on Tuesday.

Band member RM, speaking at the annual FESTA dinner that celebrates the group’s founding, said he had been feeling a need to explore his own work without the constant recording and performing required of BTS.

[#2022BTSFESTA]🕘614아미들! 맛있는 음식 준비하고 기다리는 중?조금만 기다리면 찐 방탄회식의 말마나소년단 대기 중!아미들 여기야 여기! 여기로 들어오라9 🫣💜(https://t.co/lxC4g968IC)#2022BTSFESTA#BTS9thAnniversary#2022찐방탄회식#진짜로가보자9#한잔들이켜어어어어엌 pic.twitter.com/SD7sqKDP5Z

— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) June 14, 2022

“The problem with K-pop and the whole idol system is that they don’t give you time to mature. You have to keep producing music and keep doing something,” said RM, seated at a table with his six fellow band members and speaking in Korean.

A video of the dinner was posted on BTS’ official Twitter handle.

[#2022BTSFESTA]🕘614기다리고 기다렸던2022 찐방탄회식공개!(https://t.co/lxC4g968IC)#2022BTSFESTA#BTS9thAnniversary#2022찐방탄회식#아미사랑해 #아포방포

— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) June 14, 2022

An English translation of the remarks showed one of the members calling the break a ‘hiatus’, a description of a representative for the band disputed in a statement.

“To be clear, they are not on hiatus but will take time to explore some solo projects at this time and remain active in various different formats,” the statement said.

BTS made its debut in June 2013 and became a worldwide sensation with its upbeat hits and social campaigns aimed at empowering young people. The group released its new album, ‘proof’on Friday.

TOGETHER, We are bulletproof.ARMY와 BTS, 함께하기에 저희는 방탄소년단입니다.#WeAreBulletproof #BTS_Proof #MyBTStory #BTS9thAnniversary https://t.co/EMIFz07kQM

— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) June 15, 2022

Last year, BTS became the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards. The group met US President Joe Biden at the White House in May to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians.