RM, Jungkook, V, and even their label HYBE, wrote posts, emails, and live-streamed on South Korean platforms to dismiss rumors.
On Tuesday, worldwide K-pop group BTS announced their hiatus to focus on solo projects and recenter as a group. In an hour-long video (at the house they first lived together as a band), RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, broke the news during their 9th-anniversary celebration.
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Since then, it’s been an anxious couple of days for BTS fans, fearing that it’s the end of the almost decade-long era. Even for investors, the group’s label, HYBE, saw a 27.5 percent drop following the news.
However, during the “FESTA,” the members tried to communicate that time apart would help them reunite even better.
Growing stronger
“We’ve talked among ourselves several times, and we believe it’s good to take some time apart,” J-Hope said in the video. “I hope that people don’t think negatively about this step and that they see this is a healthy, important part of our plan that will let BTS grow stronger.”
Even when the two-time Grammy-winning band thought they made it clear, while expressing their guilt of not wanting to let ARMY down, HYBE had to send lengthy emails to its staff noting BTS is not considering breaking up or taking any steps in that direction.
To further dismiss rumors, BTS’ band leader RM made a post on the K-pop fan community platform Weverse. “We’ll try to show good performances either as a team or individuals,” he wrote.
The 27-year-old added that his nine-year career has never received more phone calls since their hiatus announcement.
“They included lots of sensational keywords like ‘disbandment’ or ‘halt to activities,'” RM continued. “It’s not that I didn’t know this would happen or that I didn’t prepare for it, but I feel bitter.”
“As the person who shared the most [in the video], I wanted to give a brief summary. I want to thank everyone who watched the video and shared your positive support, love, and energy, whether from close by or far away. Whether as a team or as an individual, I will work hard to show you a good side of myself. Thank you,” he concluded.
Clearing a mess
Meanwhile, on the South Korean live streaming app VLive, Jungkook reassured fans, saying, “I woke today and saw that there was a mess, about [BTS] going on a hiatus or suspending activities, or disbanding. So I thought there were things to set straight and came here [on live].”
Jungkook, the youngest member at 24 years old, echoed J-Hope’s statement that time apart will help the band ultimately grow together.
Also, on Weverse, V joined his band members in dismissing rumors, “Now, as this is the start of our healthy footsteps so that we can remain as [BTS] for a long time, I trust that ARMYs will really like this side of us as well.”
Hopefully, ARMY can rest easier with RM, Jungkook, and V’s efforts to ease their minds.
Banner photo from BTS’ official Instagram page.
