"BTS's Comma Lost Direction: 'I Don't Know Where to Go'"

BTS Declares Group Activity Hiatus via YouTube: "Lost Direction, No Time to Grow"
HYBE Shares Plunge 25% Following News
Members Expected to Pursue Solo Activities Starting with J-Hope

Group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan). Photo by BigHit Music

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "At the peak of our prime, I felt like we had to function in some way in the world, but I had no time to think about it. At some point, I didn’t even know what our team was. I didn’t know where I and our team should go from now on." (RM)

The group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) has sent shockwaves by suddenly announcing a temporary halt to group activities after 9 years since their debut. This is the ripple effect of a ‘pause’ from a representative idol group symbolizing K-Hallyu and boasting countless global fans. Immediately, the stock price of BTS’s agency HYBE plummeted, indicating significant economic repercussions.

Fans who had been eagerly anticipating full-fledged activities following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic are now experiencing mixed feelings of regret, concern, and support for the members.

The message delivered by BTS leader RM reflects the group’s ongoing concerns. It appears that the members’ judgment that time is needed to restore the group’s identity and foster individual growth played a background role. Regarding this, BTS stated through the video ‘BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) Real BTS Gathering’ released on their official YouTube channel ‘BANGTANTV’ that “We are pausing briefly, becoming relaxed, and resting, but it is to move forward for much more time ahead.”

Jimin said, "Only now do we understand what kind of singers we want to remain as to our fans, and I think that’s why we are going through a difficult time." Members who had stood out in songwriting and producing confessed that their struggles were greater. SUGA shared his feelings, saying, "(At some point) I was forcing myself to squeeze out creativity. Now, I really have nothing to say."

In fact, BTS has been running non-stop for 9 years since their debut in 2013. Some in the music industry have highly praised BTS to the extent of comparing their achievements to those of The Beatles. Since 2017, BTS has topped the US Billboard main album chart ‘Billboard 200’ five times, astonishing the global music market. They also reached number one on the main singles chart ‘Hot 100’ with six songs, including collaborations.

BTS, invited to the White House in Washington DC to discuss responses to anti-Asian hate crimes, is taking a commemorative photo with U.S. President Joe Biden. Photo by BigHit Music

On the 31st of last month, they were invited to the White House in the US and met President Joe Biden, demonstrating their global influence. At that time, President Biden said, "People listen to what you (BTS) say. What you do is good for everyone." The reason the US president paid attention to a Korean idol group is because he recognizes the importance of BTS’s ‘positive influence.’ BTS has exercised positive influence through anti-war messages, environmental protection, and combating racial hatred.

Even during the period when their influence was expanding, BTS continued to contemplate today and tomorrow. They wanted to live a life that does not settle for the present, but the circumstances were not easy. During this period, when achievements such as topping the Billboard chart and winning the ‘American Music Awards’ grand prize, one of the three major US popular music awards, continued, the members’ identity confusion also deepened.

After the release of their fourth full album ‘MAP OF THE SOUL : 7’ in February 2020, planned individual activities were not realized due to the spread of COVID-19, and as the global popularity of their English songs increased, the members confessed, "We didn’t know where the group was heading."

BTS announced that after the suspension of group activities, they plan to officially proceed with solo activities, which had so far been conducted only through ‘mixtapes’ (non-regular albums). The first soloist is expected to be J-Hope. HYBE Music, their agency, stated on the 15th, "BTS will start a new chapter where team activities and individual activities are carried out simultaneously," adding, "It will be a time for each member to grow through various activities and is expected to be nourishment for BTS to become a long-lasting team."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although the group is not disbanding, experts analyze that considering BTS is currently at their prime as top global musicians with a worldwide fandom, this suspension of activities will have a significant impact on the global popular culture market beyond K-pop.

Professor Lee Taekgwang of Kyung Hee University’s Department of Global Communication diagnosed, "Even if BTS announces a suspension of group activities, individual activities will continue, similar to how John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles pursued solo careers."

Professor Lee added, "President Biden’s invitation of BTS to the White House was an example representing their symbolic significance regarding Asian community issues," and predicted, "Since the fandom holds political meaning centered in the US, their influence will continue even if group activities are suspended."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.