BTS have announced a hiatus on their ninth anniversary

The group have shared a video

BTS
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 14th Jun 2022

BTS, the K-Pop stars who have taken the world by storm, collaborating with Coldplay on 'My Universe' and winning awards across the globe, have shocked fans by announcing they will be starting a hiatus.

The seven members of BTS, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, could be seen sitting around a table loaded with food and drink, to celebrate nine very successful years today, in a video uploaded to YouTube.

However, as fans expected to see the group discussing their plans for the future, they were shocked to hear the members telling how they thought it was time to have a break and pursue solo projects.

Speaking on the video, RM said how they had achieved so much, however the individuals members of BTS still need to grow as individuals. The rapper, who has worked with the likes of Lil Nas X said: "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."

Dancer and singer 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."

He continued: "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."

Since the initial tweet sharing the video was posted it's had more than 230K likes and more than 95.5K retweets.

With thousands of fans saddened by the news. One fan replied to the video saying: 'THANKYOUU 😭😭😭' (sic), with another writing: 'Let's goooooo😭😭😭'. (sic)

You can hear BTS' song with Coldplay 'My Universe' on Downtown Radio.

Now take a look at how BTS became famous:

2010 - The beginnings

Although BTS released their first single in 2013, it was actually back in 2010 that the band formed. Assembled by Big Hit Entertainment, a South Korean entertainment company, BTS members were chosen from a variety of sources including online auditions, TV auditions and talent agencies.
However, it wasn't as easy as just releasing music once the band had formed, they worked as trainees, where they were prepared for stardom! The boys had lessons in dancing, singing, acting and media training.

2013 - The release of '2 COOL 4 SKOOL'

BTS officially released their first album in the summer of 2013 called '2 COOL 4 SKOOL'. The album was supported by songs 'No More Dream' and 'We Are Bulletproof Pt.2'.

2014 - The BTS A.R.M.Y. are born

Fans of the K-Pop group become known as the BTS ARMY. ARMY stands for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth.

2019 - BTS present a Grammy Award

In 2019, BTS became the first K-pop artist to present an award at the Grammys. They presented H.E.R. with the Best R&B Album award.

2020 - BTS perform at the Grammys

Just a year after being the first K-Pop artist to present a Grammy, the band return to be the first K-Pop artist to perform at the awards.

2020: BTS release 'Dynamite'

In August 2020, BTS released their first English language song, 'Dynamite'. The song was a commercial success reaching Number 3 in the UK and becoming a Top 10 hit around the world.

2020 - BTS release 'Map of the Soul: 7'

BTS' seventh studio album 'Map of the Soul: 7' becomes a worldwide Number 1 hit, reaching the top spot in the UK, US, Australia, Japan and of course their native South Korea.

2021 - BTS collaborate with Coldplay

BTS and Coldplay release 'My Universe' in 2021, the song is sung in English and Korean and to date has 158 million views on YouTube.

2022 - BTS announce their hiatus

BTS shocked fans on their ninth anniversary by announcing they would be starting a hiatus.

Now read:

BTS: How the K-Popstars became BRIT Award nominees

Coldplay join forces with K-pop boy band BTS for 'My Universe'

How to listen to Downtown Radio:

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.