BTS to take a break. Are they splitting?

South Korean pop group BTS made some major announcements during their streamed annual FESTA dinner on Tuesday. The dinner premiered on YouTube via its official channel ‘BANGTANTV’. The celebration marked their 9-year anniversary.

THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

The K-pop group has announced an official hiatus. Members RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook will now focus more on solo projects.

BTS announced that the group would start solo projects while remaining active as a group. 

But but but, before you come to any conclusion, let’s clarify a few things:

BTS has also mentioned that they would make a return as a group someday. The band members have also clarified that they are not disbanding.

This is their third official break. BTS first took a month-long break in 2019, followed by another one towards the end of 2021.

In the video, rapper Suga said, 'We’re going on a hiatus now. Should we talk about why we’re not doing the FESTA or making content?”

“We have to accept that we’ve changed. For me, it was like the group BTS was within my grasp until ‘On’ and ‘Dynamite,’ but after ‘Butter’ and ‘Permission to Dance,’ I didn’t know what kind of group we were anymore,” RM said.

However, the members assured that 'when the time is right we want to come back and keep doing what we love.'

Towards the end of the video many group members broke down. They also thanked the ARMY, term used describe BTS fans.

HOW FANS REACTED

Initially the news left the fans in shock. But later they received a positive response. Here are some of the reactions:

bts on hiatus so i have no choice but to deactivate all social media

— ╰☆☆ saoirse ☆☆╮ (@saoirseesiroas) June 15, 2022

kinda sad bts is on a hiatus and kinda cried but i know for sure this is not an end, the one thing im damn sure bout is that this is NOT the end, so i'll keep supporting the boys regardless and hope they rest well <3

— #RAINISM (@gukpear) June 15, 2022

The way BTS songs were the cause of my happiness now I can’t listen to a single sone without streaming a tear

— May⁷ BTS HIATUS ERA IS OVER (@thvwithluv) June 15, 2022

Day 1 of @BTS_twt 'hiatus' and I got my first cold in 3 years. That is a sign, isn't it?

— Vanessa |? (@vanessasxll) June 15, 2022

Honestly, it still seems and sounds like a hiatus. They won't be doing group music or group comebacks for a time, and that is perfectly fine. They will focus on solo works but there will still be some group activities. Anyway, whatever happens, we are here for @BTS_twt. ?

— Gab Ryden⁷ (@gabbryden) June 15, 2022