BTS announces ‘hiatus’ to pursue solo projects; embarks on ‘Chapter 2’

The global sensation BTS—whose catchy, upbeat songs have won them legions of fans— have announced they will be taking a break to pursue solo projects and “learn to be one again”.

Grammy-nominated group will be going on hiatus— an indefinite break—and the seven members will be focusing on solo projects in the near future.

After nearly a decade as one of the most successful and celebrated groups on the planet, BTS dropped the bombshell during their annual pre-recorded “FESTA” dinner that streamed online. Their whole conversation was uploaded to their official YouTube channel. 

In the one-hour-long video, the septet was talking to each other in Korean, during which they reminisced their successful journey together.

Credited with generating billions of dollars for the South Korean economy, the acclaimed band got  honest about the pressures of the K-POP “idol system” and the difficulties they’ve faced in recent years trying to make new music while satisfying fans. 

With BTS taking a break, many of the members appeared ready to focus on individual projects. Although the group did not disclose a timeline for solo releases, the confirmation of a new project from J-Hope dovetails his upcoming performance as the first South Korean artist to headline the main stage of Lollapalooza. 

Bandmates Jimin, Suga and Jungkook plan to release solo projects in the future as well. 

In the meantime, a representative for the band disputed the word ‘hiatus’ in a later statement—affirming that the members 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.

The BTS’ hiatus announcement comes just days after the group released their latest project, the “anthology album” Proof. 

Along with releasing Proof, the seven members have been characteristically busy after returning from a short break at the top of the year: They’ve performed at the Grammys, played a handful of shows around the world. 

The band recently made headlines for visiting the White House to deliver a message to President Joe Biden on the fight against anti-Asian racism.

The renowned group were named as the world's best-selling artists of 2021 in a chart recently compiled by music industry body the IFPI.

Calling the band successful would be an understatement: In 2019, BTS had three No. 1 hits in a year on Billboard’s Top 200. They sold out London’s 90,000-person Wembley Stadium in 90 minutes. Moreover, three years ago, ticket sales for their tour crashed the Ticketmaster website, with an average price of $452. 

BTS made its debut in 2013 and was the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards (AMAs). The group has twice been nominated for a Grammy.

This year marks the group’s — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — ninth anniversary as a band. 

FESTA conversation

“We’re going into a hiatus now,” said Suga, some 20 minutes into the clip, which was posted to the group’s official YouTube channel. 

During the conversation, RM said that while they had achieved a great deal as BTS, the individual members needed to grow and mature as individuals.

"I always thought that BTS was different from other groups, but the problem with K-pop and the whole idol system is that they don't give you time to mature," he said, adding that "You have to keep producing music and keep doing something".

The rapper added that he now wanted to take the time to consider the future of BTS as a group and as individuals.

Other members agreed, adding that going on a break was a difficult decision.

"We can't help but think of our fans no matter what, we want to be the kind of artists that are remembered by our fans," said Jimin.

He further added: "I think that's why we're going through a rough patch right now, we're trying to find our identity and that's an exhausting and long process".

V told fans the group was not splitting for good, adding that they would get back together "later, when we gather again as a group, that synergy will be like no other".

J-Hope said the group “should spend some time apart to learn how to be one again”. He added: “I hope you don’t see this is a negative thing,” the artist implored fans. “And see that it’s a healthy plan.”

The news caused anxiety among fans, but Suga later reassured that BTS was not “disbanding – we’re just living apart for a while”.

By the end of the dinner the members of the group grew tearful as they voiced gratitude for their fans, collectively known as the “ARMY”.