Written by Prarthana Sheopuri. Managing Editor, I Kid You Not.

The K-pop group, BTS,  left their fans with heavy hearts when they announced that they would take some time off, as a group, to focus on their solo projects.

The members — Jin, Suga, RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook were supposed to go on a hiatus (short break)  to pursue their individual artistic goals – BUT – now the band’s label and management company has come out with an official statement clarifying the stand, the mega-popular band will be serving the mandatory military service time till 2025 and then would regroup.

Under the country’s law, all able-bodied South Korean men are to serve at least 18 months in the armed forces by the age of 28.

What is the BTS hoopla (excitement) all about?

 BTS is a South Korean boy band, it is also known as Bangtan Boys. The septet (seven-member band) was formed in 2010 but debuted in 2013, they co-write and co-produce much of their own material. Though originally a hip-hop group, their musical style has evolved to include various genres of music. Their lyrics have discussed mental health, the troubles of school-age, loss, and the journey towards self-love. 

They are the first non-English-speaking and Asian act to hold sold-out concerts at Wembley Stadium (the world’s most iconic stadium) and were named the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s
( an organization representing more than 1,400 companies and industry associations) Global Recording Artist of the Year for 2 consecutive years -2020 and 2021.

They lovingly call their legion of fans A.R.M.Y, an acronym for ‘Adorable Representative M.C. For Youth’. The rumours of the band disbanding left the A.R.M.Y heartbroken but now there seems to be hope as the band will supposedly reunite.

Accolades and Awards 

• BTS is the best-selling artist in South Korean history of music, having sold more than 30 million albums. 
• They have won multiple American Music Awards and have been nominated for 2 Grammy Awards.
• Time’s  25 most influential people along with the 100 most influential people in the world lists, have the group on it.
• They are known as the Princes of Pop.

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Headline Image: TenAsia,
CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0,
via Wikimedia Commons