Known for their catchy, upbeat songs, the K-POP boy band BTS shocked their fans on June 14 with their surprise announcement of going on a hiatus to focus on their solo careers. 

BTS fans are heartbroken by the news and are either supportive of their decision or upset about them going on a break. However, there has been misinformation of people believing that every boy band breaks up, which is not the case. 

“My reaction was like really, [you are] going to give me an album then say bye,” said junior nursing major Angelina Tapia. “I also understand completely [how] they want to sort of find themselves and regroup.”

According to NPR, a representative of Hybe, (entertainment company who represents BTS) released a statement that reassured the BTS A.R.M.Y fans on what is really happening to the band. “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,” NPR said.

In their latest YouTube video, the seven members sat down for their ninth anniversary dinner party called FESTA and spoke on how the group has changed over the past nine years of being together as a band. They also spoke on how K-POP and the idol system doesn’t necessarily give them the time to mature and grow.

Kim Nam-joon, known as RM and the leader/spokesperson of the group, spoke on how he felt like he couldn’t physically mature and how he wanted to be aware of who he was and what kind of group BTS is now.

“At some point I haven’t been sure what group we are,” said RM. “For me, it was a big deal that I didn’t know what we’re going to do as a group from now on. I don’t know what kind of direction our group has to take.” 

Initially, during their seventh year together, they were planning on going on a hiatus, but due to COVID, the group decided to release Dynamite, Butter, and Permission to Dance. 

Olivia Burnes, senior biomedical science major, has been a fan of BTS since 2017 and was a little sad about the group going on a break. Burnes felt like they deserve a break after the content they have been working on together, and trusts their word on this decision. She continued by saying how there was mistranslation of the language they used that freaked out fans by worrying about them “breaking up.”

“I fully support their choice because they have given so much of themselves to their craft and their fans,” Burnes said. “I will still support them whenever they choose to come back together as a group stronger than ever.”

While BTS stated they aren’t disbanding, they promised to return back to making music together again when the timing is right. In the meantime, the group will be working on their variety show called Run BTS and released BTS Island: In the SEOM, which is a mobile video game available on Android and Apple devices. The youngest member, Jeon Jung-kook (Jungkook), already released “Left and Right” with Charlie Puth on June 24.