Grammy-nominated K-pop group BTS surprised fans on June 14 when they announced that they are taking a break from group activities and focus on solo endeavors but emphasized that they are not disbanding.
BTS debuted in 2013 and have been working non-stop as a group. Now they will focus on their solo activities.
As they talked about their journey, experiences and their solo plans in the video, BTS cried.
“We are going on hiatus now,” Suga said in a video uploaded on their YouTube channel.
RM explained that “gathering like this today and shooting content ‘I'm so glad we're BTS’, ‘What would I do if we weren't BTS?’ It made me think that I'm happy just being together I started music and became BTS because I had a message for the world.”
“I didn't know what I would do after ‘ON’ but then Covid-19 came up so we did ‘Dynamite,’ ‘Butter,’ ‘Permission to Dance,’ ‘Life Goes On.’ And I realized the group has definitely changed. We have to accept that we've changed. For me, it was like the group BTS was within my grasp until ‘ON’ and ‘Dynamite’ but after ‘Butter’ and ‘Permission to Dance,’ I didn't know what kind of group we were anymore,” he lamented.
RM added, “Whenever I write lyrics and songs it's really important what kind of story and message I want to give out but it was like that was gone now. I don't know what kind of story I should tell now. I've 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. You have to keep producing music and keep doing something. After I get up in the morning and get makeup done there's no time left for growth.”
“And it's not just about music and work I've changed as a human over the past ten years. So I needed to think and have some alone time and then those thoughts can mature into something uniquely mine. I could balance this with work before but after ten years of living as BTS and working all our schedules, I can't physically mature anymore. There was something I wanted to do in this world and right now when we're at our best,” he said.
Jimin said, “I think now, finally, we’ve come to think about what kind of artists we each want to be remembered as to our fans. 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.”
He added, “Our fans know us and we know us. We have so many things we want to tell them but we can't be honest all the time. We want to be comfortable with them but it's so hard and that's worn us out. We're trying to slowly figure things out now."
J-Hope said, “I’ve really started my solo preparations now. BTS’ stance on solo promotions, solo music is going to change a lot now.”
RM explained that “starting with J-Hope, we’ll officially be showing our individual colors.”
“We've been together for the past nine years and now going on our 10th year. I want to thank the members and I want to thank our fans that have always been with us,” said J-Hope.
He added, “But now I don't know, I've talked a lot about this with the members but I think we should spend some time apart to learn how to be one again. I think that timing is really important right now.’
J-Hope told fans that “so I hope you don't see this as a negative thing and see that it's a healthy plan.”
Suga interjected, “It's not that we're disbanding. We're just living apart for a while.”
J-Hope agreed and said, “I think BTS could become a stronger group that way. This is a very important time for us and for BTS' second chapter. I think this is the best time and step and it's something we all need.”
“So I just hope since ARMY has been with us for 9-10 years that you could understand. That's all. I just hope that all our members stay healthy while they spend time on their own. I hope we all live with healthy minds,” he added.
Jungkook said, “I realized again today that everyone has a timeline that's right for them. ARMY will have their own motivations and time as well. This timing should've come to us earlier but I guess we held it off. It should've come way earlier. But we got to do it now. I don't know when but there should've been a time that we talked about this. And I think today's the day."
“How should I put this? You were with us for almost... let's say ten years. You were with us for ten years. It's not that we want you to understand but it'd be nice if you could understand us We're each going to take some time to have fun and experience lots of things,” he said.
Jungkook added, “We promise we will return someday even more mature than we are now. So I just hope that you could give us your blessing. That's what I hope for. I'll do my best. We'll be a better version of us. So I hope you wouldn't worry. Even better, please look forward to that day.”
RM said, “I want BTS to go on for a long time. I want it to last long and for BTS to last long I think I have to retain who I am. Because I'm not BTS, I'm just a part of BTS. So we couldn't fulfill all of your expectations. I have so many things I want to say but I can't be open about all of them. I always feel sorry about that."
“However, we're always sincere We could make mistakes because we're not perfect. We make lots of mistakes and I know that I'm not perfect either. Maybe I was lucky enough to speak at the UN and meet President Biden but what I know for sure is that we're BTS and we made it here thanks to you,” he said.
He added, “We never know how long we'll be together but I hope we do last long. And even if we can't perform as well as we did in the past, I always want to be RM of BTS. So I hope you recognize our sincerity. Right now, we might be stopping for a break and being lazy but that's all for the future ahead of us."
At the end of the video, they had a toast with Jungkook saying, “Everybody, your lives and your lives, there is so much more to come. For each of our lives and for us, let’s make a toast.”