Band member RM, speaking at the annual FESTA
dinner that celebrates the group's founding, said he had been
feeling a need to explore his own work without the constant
recording and performing required of BTS.
"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 and speaking in Korean.
A video of the dinner was posted on the band's official Twitter
handle.
An English translation of the remarks showed one of the members
calling the break a "hiatus," a description a representative for
the band disputed in a statement.
"To be clear, they are not on hiatus but will take time to
explore some solo projects at this time and remain active in
various different formats," the statement said.
BTS made its debut in June 2013 and became a worldwide sensation
with its upbeat hits and social campaigns aimed at empowering
young people. The group released its new album, "Proof," on
Friday.
Last year, BTS became the first Asian band to win artist of the
year at the American Music Awards. The group met U.S. President
Joe Biden at the White House in May to discuss hate crimes
targeting Asians.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Mark Porter)
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