South Korean boy band BTS has announced a break to allow its members to work on solo projects.
The news came less than a week after the group of seven men, who launched a worldwide K-pop craze, released their latest album Proof.
Speaking at an annual dinner to celebrate the band’s founding, rapper RM said: “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.”
According to a report on Deadline, the other members of the band insisted that the band is not parting ways.
Rapper J-Hope said: “We would have to spend some time apart to learn how to be one again.
“I hope you don’t see it as a negative thing and see it as a healthy plan.
“BTS will get stronger that way.”
Lead vocalist Jimin added: “Now we’re starting to think about what kind of artists we want our fans to remember.”
And rapper Suga said, “It’s not like we’re dissolving.”
An English translation of his words showed that one of the members called the break “pause”, but that description was discussed by a spokesman for the band.
The spokesman said in a statement: “To be clear, they are not paused, but it will take time to explore some solo projects at the moment and remain active in different formats.”
RM, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga, Jungkook, V and Jin formed the band in 2010 and debuted three years later, becoming global sensations with songs such as Dynamite, Boy With Luv and Butter.
Last year, BTS was the first Asian band to win the artist of the year at the American Music Awards, and they even met with U.S. President Joe Biden in May to talk about crimes of hatred aimed at Asians.