K-Pop superstars BTS announce Split, promise “to return someday”

South Korean supergroup, BTS have announced they are going on “temporary hiatus” so its members can pursue solo careers, but they promised to ‘return someday.’

They announced the news during their annual FESTA dinner which celebrates the band’s nine years together as bandmember RM said it was time for them to work on their own.

The seven BTS members are Jungkook, 24; Jin, 29; RM, 27; V, 26; Suga, 29; J-Hope, 28; and Jimin, 26.

During the annual FESTA dinner, several of the members broke down in tears as they talked ‘taking time off to ‘grow.’

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,’ RM said at the event.

‘You have to keep producing music and keep doing something.’

And Jimin added, ‘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.

‘I think now we’re starting to think about what kind of artists we each want to be remembered by 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.’

V insisted this is not a split as they’ll be back together ‘later when we gather again as a group that synergy will be like no other.’

J-Hope then said, ‘I think we should spend some time apart to learn how to be one again. I hope you don’t see this as a negative thing, and see it as a healthy plan. I think BTS will become stronger that way.’

SUGA then piped up: ‘It’s not like we’re disbanding!’

This is not the first time they have taken a break. In December 2021, they said they needed some down time to recharge. And they also took a mini break in 2019.

In 2021, the group’s management company Big Hit Music said in a statement: ‘We would like to inform you that BTS is planning to take a second official extended period of rest since their first in 2019. BTS stayed active in order to engage with fans in 2020 and 2021 amidst the Covid-19 situation, and achieved dazzling results to cement themselves as top global artists.’

In 2019 it was also announced the band needed some time.

This period of rest will be an opportunity for the members of BTS, who have relentlessly driven themselves towards their goal since their debut, to recharge and prepare to present themselves anew as musicians and creators,’ it was shared at the time.

‘This will also provide them with a chance to enjoy the ordinary lives of young people in their 20s, albeit briefly.’