GLobal stars BTS claimed they were taking some time off to concentrate on their solo projects. However, the company that created the iconic K-pop group assured them they will not be taking any break.
The seven-member group with hits like “Butter” and “Dynamite” talked about their future in a video posted Tuesday celebrating the nine year anniversary of their debut release. They just released a three-disc anthology album, “Proof,” last week.
Suga from the band, asked members of the group to discuss why they had taken a break. As they sat down for a group dinner, Suga asked them if they could talk about COVID-19 and how it had affected their music releases and touring plans. They also discussed their personal artistic goals.
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The group spoke in Korean, and the word “hiatus” was used on English subtitles included on the video.
But a statement from Hybe, the South Korean entertainment company behind BTS, said they’ll still be working on projects as a group, as well as individually. “BTS are not taking a hiatus. Members will be focusing more on solo projects at this time,” the statement said.
Tuesday was not announced with any information about the future BTS collaborations and solo projects. BTS has a global fanbase that follows the group and members online and in recent years the group’s profile has rose overseas. Recently, BTS addressed the UN General Assembly. The group also went to the White House for discussions with President Joe Biden on ways to stop violence against Asian Americans.
The band members — J-Hope, RM, Suga, Jungkook, V, Jin and Jimin — opened up about the struggle to develop as individual artists within the K-pop genre.
“The problem with K-pop and the whole idol system is that don’t give you time to mature,” said RM. During the discussion, some members of the group appeared to be weeping.
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Band member V recalled a conversation he had with J-Hope in which they discussed how working on solo projects would improve their “synergy” as a band. Suga expressed an interest in exploring new music genres.
“We’re each going to take some time to have fun and experience a lot of things,” said Jung Kook to their fans. “We promise we will return someday even more mature than we are now.”
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