BTS announce ‘extended break’ to lead ‘ordinary lives’

BTS are set to take an “extended break” for the first time in six years, the K-pop group’s management has confirmed.

Writing on Twitter, Big Hit Entertainment said that the South Korean act would embark on “an official and extended period of rest and relaxation”, having “relentlessly driven themselves towards their goal since their debut”. The entertainment giant writes that they deserve “to recharge and prepare to present themselves anew as musicians and creators”.

The break “will also provide them with a chance to enjoy the ordinary lives of young people in their 20s, albeit briefly,” they added. They also requested that fans grant them some peace during this time. “Should you have a chance encounter with a member of BTS while they are on vacation, we ask that you show consideration for their need to rest and enjoy their time off.”

The hashtag #RestWellBTS appeared on social media soon after the announcement, with fans praising the superstar group for resting after such a heavy period of recording, touring, and promotion.

Speaking to Dazed in 2017, BTS’s RM discussed what he does with his time off. “I ride a bicycle beside the Han River,” he said. “That’s what I really love because no one gives a damn about me for that moment. I feel so free.”

Read Big Hit Entertainment’s statement below.