BTS: Korean boy band announce hiatus to work on solo projects

Band members have said they are taking a break to work on personal projects

BTS, arguably the biggest boy band in the world that spearheaded a global K-pop craze, announced on Tuesday that it is taking a hiatus as a group to work on solo projects.

Speaking at the annual Festa dinner that celebrates the group's founding, band member RM said he had been feeling a need to explore his own work away from BTS's hectic recording and performance schedule.

"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," said RM, seated at a table with his six fellow band members.

A video of the dinner was posted on the band's official Twitter handle.

BTS made its debut in June 2013 and became a worldwide sensation with its upbeat hits and social campaigns aimed at empowering young people.

Last year, the group became the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards.

The group met US President Joe Biden at the White House in May to discuss hate crimes against Asians.

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  Members of the K-pop supergroup BTS join White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during the daily briefing at the White House. AP

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  BTS members speak during the daily briefing at the White House. AP

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  Ms Jean-Pierre gestures to group members during the daily briefing. AP

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  Ms Jean-Pierre joins BTS members (from left) V, Jungkook, Jimin, RM, Jin, J-Hope and Suga. AP

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  RM speaks, accompanied by other BTS members, during the daily briefing at the White House. AP

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  A fan of BTS holds up a poster of the band outside the White House. AFP

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  A fan of BTS holds a doll in the likeness of BTS member Jungkook outside the White House in Washington. AFP

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  The Jungkook doll sits at the gates of the White House. AFP

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  Fans hold a BTS poster outside the White House. AFP

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  BTS members appear at the UN meeting on Sustainable Development Goals during the 76th session of the General Assembly in New York in September. Pool / AP

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  BTS perform at a concert at Jamsil Olympic Park in southern Seoul, South Korea, in Match. EPA / Yonhap Handout South Korea

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  BTS members arrive at The Fact Music Awards in Incheon, South Korea, in 2019. AP