K-pop group BTS announce that they will be taking a hiatus

Korean pop band, BTS, who have notoriously gained an intense internet fandom through their career, announced that they will be taking a hiatus to pursue solo projects. Less than a week after releasing a new three disk anthology project, it will be their first extended break in their nine-years as a band.

BTS announced the hiatus in an hour-long Youtube video they called “The real and honest BTS dinner party”, where they reflected on their time as a band and their appreciation for their fans. They also spoke about their appreciation for one another, and how their relationship as a band has grown over the years.

“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,” said band member Jimin.

The band also said that they have been going through a rough patch lately, particularly due to feeling overworked and exhausted due to their rigid schedules.

All members of the seven-person band have released their own solo projects in the band’s run, and during this “indefinite hiatus” they hope to focus more on those endeavors. Band member J-Hope is already slated to perform solo at Lollapalooza in Chicago later this summer.

BTS is one of the most popular Korean pop, or K-pop acts, and can be credited with bringing the genre to the mainstream outside of its home country. Their devoted fans, known as ARMY, have gained a reputation for being fiercely protective of the group, filling the comment section of anyone who dares criticize the band.