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BTS Breaking Up?? Members Need a Rest After ‘Rough Patch’

Nooo! End of an area for BTS fans. At BTS’ FESTA, which is a party the celebrates BTS’ debut, the members broke everyone’s hearts with news that BTS will go on indefinite hiatus.

In the BTS FESTA dinner party video, Jung Kook said:

You were with us for almost 10 years. We’re each going to take some time to have fun and experience lots of things. We promise we will return someday even more mature than we are now.

I hope that you could give us your blessing.

Yes we can Jung Kook!

Seriously, BTS’ hiatus comes after nine years together as a band. For any band, that’s a long time. It’s not unimaginable that some, or all, members just want a chance to explore pop without the weight of the BTS machine.

J-Hope said as much:

“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.”

Jimin knows all the BTS fans will feel down, but he hopes they understand.

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 [as].

According to Variety, J-Hope and Suga already have solo albums in place. Jungkook says he’ll have one too.

It shouldn’t be surprising to be honest. Lollapalooza 2022 announced J-Hope as one of the headliners. Fans should be happy for BTS. J-Hope, who fills in for Doja Cat, will be the first South Korean artist to headline a major festival stage.

On the other hand, the law of averages says not all seven members of BTS will have similar success. Look at N’ Sync. You have Justin Timberlake, and those other guys.

Although BTS says they AREN’T disbanding, an extended hiatus could last years. Do K-Pop bands come back stronger, or as strong, after extended breaks, such as military service? Well, some do.

…some groups have managed to maintain their success even after a long hiatus, like the group SHINee. Members Lee Jin-ki, Choi Min-ho and Kim Ki-bum all enlisted in 2018 and 2019, and were released in 2020. The last member to enlist is Lee Tae-min, who began his service in May 2020 and is scheduled to be released in November 2022. The fully reunited SHINee was able to come back in full force with their album “Atlantis,” which was very successful and considered by many K-pop fans to be one of the best K-pop albums of 2021.

But not all groups do.

BTS were even allowed a special exemption from South Korea’s required 2 year military service. In May 2022, their culture minister said this regarding BTS’ military service exemption:

It would also be a “cultural loss for mankind” if the singers have to “suspend their activities due to the fulfillment of their military service obligations when their achievements in promoting national prestige and their skills are at their peak.

It’s tough to see BTS going on much longer even if they came back. BTS’ ages go from 23 to 28. Add in military service, an indefinite hiatus where every member tries something new. Maybe a couple get huge success. That’s about 2-5 years right there. Tough to see people wanting to see a late 20s to early 30s K-Pop band when Big Hit Entertainment can develop new talent.

Nevertheless, BTS likely still has one more album in them, one more tour. BTS’ contract expires in 2026.

In BTS’s case, they have a seven-year commitment that was due to expire in 2020. However, they recently renewed their contract, a year before the original agreement terminated. BigHit has confirmed that their contract will expire in 2026, rather than 2020.

It’s unknown if this hiatus extends that contract’s end date.

Whatever happens with BTS, it’s a sad day. When BTS performed their first show in America at LA’s Troubadour on July 13, 2014, they had 200 fans in the audience.

Over the years, came the screaming, international recognition. The Grammys. BTS collabs with Halsey, Nikki Minaj, Coldplay and other stars. Sold out stadiums.

That’s all over now, but they were good times.

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