K-pop idol group BTS members Jungkook and RM have denied rumors they are disbanding after they revealed in a tearful video on YouTube on June 14 that they are going to take a break from group activities and focus on their solo careers.
In the video, which has racked up 15 million views on YouTube since June 14, BTS members discussed their plans and asked fans for understanding.
Suga said, “It's not that we're disbanding. We're just living apart for a while” and “We are going on hiatus now.”
Big Hit Music, the group’s agency, told Manila Bulletin in a statement on June 15 that “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.”
Their revelations have saddened fans but said they are going to support BTS no matter what.
After BTS’ announcement, the stock price of HYBE, the parent company to which BTS belongs, plunged by 24.8 percent from 193,000 won on June 14 to 145,000 won on June 15. It closed at 148,000 won on June 16.
Jungkook, the youngest BTS member, took to Naver V Live to dispel the rumors.
“And after getting some sleep, there was so much news about BTS breaking up and stopping all activities and I wanted to clear that up on this V Live,” he said on June 15.
“We still have a lot to do as a group. We just got together and talked comfortable about our future plans. It meant that we were going to have individual work coming up and definitely not we weren’t going to perform as BTS anymore,” he said.
Jungkook added, “I'm sure that all of you who watched the gathering yesterday all know this but just in case people who didn't see it had a misunderstanding. Let me tell you this one more time. We are not going to disband. We still have a lot of work to do as a group. And we're going to keep doing more in the future so you don't have to worry about that at all.”
“I just thought that I should make this clear just in case you had a misunderstanding. BTS is forever,” he declared.
In the YouTube video of the BTS gathering, 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.”
“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,” he added.
During the Naver V Live broadcast, Jungkook added, “Personally the members ,we all have our own...I'm sure this is the same for you too but when you're tired or worn out, you tend to feel like you're stuck in the same spot. And even though that moment came a long time ago, we were in the middle of so many things so we kept going on but like we said, we feel like now is the time.”
"So it's like a break so we can gather back our energy. We need power to keep going. And as individuals, we're going to do what we each need to do and we also need to develop things,” he said.
He added, “We can show you a lot more with the energy that we can build up while we take a break. We can show you a lot more diversity. It's like a new plan for us. But it doesn't mean that we're not doing anything as a group. Please understand that's not what we mean. BTS forever. ARMY forever. You know that, right? We're going to be forever.”
RM also posted on the Weverse fan app to clear up the rumors.
“As a team and as a solo artist, we will do our best. Since the band’s debut, I received the most calls and messages . There were many fragmentary, provocative keywords like ‘disbandment’ and ‘hiatus,’” he said, the Korea JoongAng Daily reported.
He added, “It’s not like we didn’t completely anticipate or were oblivious that this would happen, but nevertheless, I do feel bitter. This video is dedicated to all ARMYs who have been with us for nine years. It was our confession to all of the fans who’ve been together with us no matter what happened.”
Big Hit Music revealed the plans for BTS’ “chapter 2.”
It said in the new chapter, they will allow themselves to express their individuality through the release of solo albums and collaborations with other artists. J-Hope will be the first to embark on releasing a solo album.
“BTS now starts a new chapter with new solo projects as well as group projects. Members will take this time to achieve personal growth through various new activities, and we expect it to further strengthen the foundation for the group‘s long-run as a team,” the agency said.
It added, “Big Hit Music will actively support the artists.”