K-Pop legends BTS broke hearts across the globe on Tuesday, as they announced their plans to go on a 'temporary' hiatus' to pursue individual projects.
Just like British girl band Little Mix - who began their hiatus last month - the BTS boys assured fans the break is not a split and they plan to reunite again and 'return someday'.
The seven-piece band - consisting of members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook - broke the news to their committed fanbase, affectionately known the BTS ARMY, during their annual FESTA dinner.
RM was the one to begin explaining their joint decision to their loyal fans during the pre-recorded dinner that premiered on YouTube on Thursday afternoon.
"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. You have to keep producing music and keep doing something," he mused.
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."
Throughout the dinner - held to celebrate their 9th anniversary as a band - the seven singers all reminisced on their impressive career and their time together as a band.
Implying the break is a hiatus, not a coded break up, Jungkook stated: "I promise we will return some day, more mature than now. Till then, we ask for your blessing."
After recounting some of the band's biggest moments - including a trip to the White House - RM fought back the tears to emotionally add: "This new chapter of BTS, that is yet to come, will be the best, I hope."
As the news broke, BTS fans - aka ARMY - took to social media to share their reaction to the hiatus plans.
"bts is the first group i stan, the only group i stan and the group that i will stan forever," one gutted fan took to Twitter to share, with another adding: "I endlessly love BTS, and above all, I want them to prioritize their happiness and health. The boys can take as long as they need, I'll be waiting for them forever."
A third penned: "i can't process everything right now but all i can think about is how these past 2.5 years have been harder for bts than we even realized. i feel so lucky and could never be disappointed in them wanting to be true to themselves and each other, only proud. thank you, @BTS_twt."
The South Korean boy band - also known as the Bangtan Boys - have taken mini-breaks in the past, since forming in 2010 and debuting their music in 2013.
In December 2021, the boys announced their plans to take time off to recharge their batteries.
A statement from the band's management company Big Hit Music released at the time read: "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."
Thanks to selling over 32million records, BTS is the best-selling artist in South Korean history and have achieved global recognition for their work.
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