They became the world’s biggest pop group, and a multibillion-dollar asset in their native South Korea. But by taking a break, BTS are refusing to lose their selfhood in a tough industry
When South Korean pop megastars BTS announced that they will be focusing on their solo careers, they did so with very careful words. “It’s not that we’re disbanding! We’re just living apart for a while,” clarified Suga, halfway through the emotional, hour-long conversation, released on YouTube on Tuesday. “I hope you see that it’s a healthy plan,” added J-Hope, seriously. “It’s something that we all need.”
Little wonder that BTS – also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan, or Bulletproof Boy Scouts in Korean – were nervous to reveal their next steps. Since their announcement, it has been reported that shares in the group’s agency lost as much as $1.7bn (£1.4bn) in market value. And more than that, they have the emotions of their deeply passionate global fanbase, BTS Army, to contend with – as well as the weight of a nation’s expectations on their shoulders.
