K-pop sensation BTS is taking a break in an emotional new video announcing the hiatus
K-pop sensation BTS is taking a break, announcing a hiatus in an emotional new video it shared with its fan army.
The septet, which included band members V, Jungkook, RM, Suga, Jimin, J-Hope and Jin, made a tearful announcement during their annual FESTA dinner, which marks their debut.
With this year's FESTA marking the ninth year of BTS debut, the band members said it was time for them to take an 'extended break' from their BTS act and pursue solo projects.
Addressing BTS ARMY directly in the video, RM said: "I always thought 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 the music and keep doing something."
Their fellow band members also shared how the decision to take an extended break as a group was difficult but necessary for them.
Jimin said: "We can't help but think about our fans, no matter what, we want to be the kind of artists that are remembered by our fans. I guess now we're about to We are starting to think about what kind of artists we want to be remembered by our fans.”
"I think that's why we're going through a tough phase right now, we're trying to find our identity and it's a tedious and lengthy process," he said.
Band member J-Hope stated that it was important for BTS to take a break to be able to start the 'second chapter'.
J-Hope's single will mark the start of a "second chapter" for BTS, as he prepares to headline Lollapalooza in July.
The band's break comes with the release of their anthology album PROOF, as well as the release of the smash-hit new single Yet to Come.