BTS are starting a new chapter of their career as a group. A day after celebrating their nine-year anniversary on June 13, the septet announced in a YouTube video that they'll be taking a hiatus from making music as a group in order to focus on solo music and activities [1]. "We have to accept that we've changed," RM said. "Whenever I write lyrics and songs [2], it's really important what kind of story and message I want to give out, but it was like that was gone now. I don't know what kind of story I should tell now . . . I needed to think and have some alone time, and then those thoughts can mature into something uniquely mine."
RM explained that after being with BTS for nearly a decade, he "can't physically mature anymore." The other members echoed his feelings, which is why they will be taking some time to continue growing as individual artists. The rapper added that although the guys don't know how long their hiatus from group activities will last, this break is necessary so, when the time comes, they'll reunite as a group stronger than ever. "I want BTS to go on for a long time. We have to go through this to do that," he said.
Fans are understandably a bit overwhelmed with how fast things are changing, especially considering there's also the ever-looming question of when BTS will enlist in the Korean military. Barring any major legislative changes to Korea's mandatory military enlistment policies [3], the older members will be required to enlist soon, and it's unclear how that will factor into the band's solo plans and timeline.
Still, none of these developments come as a surprise to fans who have been following BTS from the beginning, so they're simply comforted knowing BTS definitely aren't disbanding. "I hope you don't see this as a negative thing," J-Hope said at one point. "It's a healthy plan. It's not that we're disbanding. We're just living apart for a while." You should also find comfort in the fact that BTS confirmed they'll continue filming their variety show, "Run BTS." Finally, RM hinted that BTS will come back with many amazing group performances to show for their time apart. "We'll show you proper performances for songs like 'Run BTS' when we're all together again," he teased.
In the meantime, fans should be excited to see what the members have up their sleeves as solo artists. Luckily for us, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have already hinted at upcoming solo projects, so scroll through the slideshow to see what they plan to do next.
Jungkook's Solo Plans
On June 16, Charlie Puth confirmed Jungkook will feature on his upcoming single, "Left and Right," [4] which is set to drop on June 24. Puth had been teasing the collab since April 28 when he tweeted he had a "dream" the group would lend their vocals to the track [5]. It's likely Jungkook filmed a music video with Puth [6] for the single while BTS was in the US to visit President Biden at the White House. Puth revealed he was in the city around the same time [7], and on June 16, his music video director Matthew Siskin confirmed via an Instagram Story text post that he was in the city with them.
Additionally, Jungkook has long been open about working on a mixtape, so he likely has a lot of material that could be a fit for his upcoming solo album.
J-Hope's Solo Plans
Just days before BTS announced their hiatus, J-Hope revealed in a June 7 Instagram that he would be headlining the Chicago-based Lollapalooza festival on Sunday, July 31 [8]. "This is going to be my first performance at @lollapalooza," he wrote. "It's a thrilling new challenge that I think will become a really memorable chapter in my musical history! I'm gonna give you guys a great show. Get ready to get crazyyyyyy!"
As if that wasn't exciting enough, HYBE confirmed through a press release that J-Hope was getting ready to drop a solo album [9], making him the first of the members to release his solo project. Although the company didn't give fans a release date for the rapper's debut LP, they said more information will be shared soon. Rumor has it the album will drop in mid-July ahead of his Lollapalooza debut.
V's Solo Plans
During the FESTA dinner party, V told fans that he has "so many things" he wants to do as a solo artist. "I hope there comes a chance to show my music to the world, and not just music," he said. "I won't be just resting or not doing anything [during the hiatus]. I'll be trying to become someone that has a lot to show you."
As fans know, V has been teasing solo music for a while [10], and now that BTS are taking a break from group activities, it seems he'll finally get the chance to explore that side of himself.
Since V also wants to pursue more than music during BTS's hiatus, it's possible he could return to acting as well. In 2016, he starred in the K-drama "Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth." As far as TV goes, V is, at the very least, set to star in the upcoming reality series "In the Soop: Friendship Trip" alongside his friends Park Seo-joon, Choi Woo-shik, Park Hyung-sik, and Peakboy, who are collectively known by fans as the Wooga Squad. The show will be a spinoff of BTS's reality series "In the Soop."
RM's Solo Plans
RM already has a successful career as a solo artist. In 2015, he released his debut mixtape, "RM," and in 2018, he came out with "Mono."
While announcing BTS's group hiatus, RM confirmed the guys will all continue working as solo artists, each dropping solo albums (not mixtapes like in the past). While fans can probably expect J-Hope's album to come sooner than later (more on that later), RM said members are taking a bit of a break to recharge themselves and avoid burnout.
RM didn't share any details about his solo music plans just yet but said he wants to take some time to find himself again. "For BTS to last long, I think I have to retain who I am. Because I'm not BTS, I'm just a part of BTS," he said. In the meantime, you can definitely expect to see RM in new episodes of "Run BTS."
Jin's Solo Plans
As the oldest member of BTS, Jin's mandatory enlistment deadline is approaching, as he must enlist by the end of 2022. Still, whatever happens, Jin has solo plans just like the rest of the members.
When BTS were discussing their hiatus, Jin brought up the fact that he initially wanted to become an actor before he ended up pursuing music. "The reason I wanted to become an actor is because I would learn and experience lots of different things depending on the roles I get," he said. "That's the reason I wanted to be an actor, but I became an idol instead and experienced and learned even more than I could've ever imagined."
He added that he might act later on, but not anytime soon, so for now, it seems he'll focus on releasing solo music first before he branches out into the acting world. As far as the timeline goes, Jin mentioned he would release his solo album last.
Additionally, in a June 14 interview with Weverse Magazine, Jin teased that he wants to appear on a variety show [11]. "I thought about going on a variety show to make myself happy, not for the group or because of my popularity or for work, because filming those shows might put me in a happy mood," he said. "There are some things about variety shows that are tough, of course, but it's also a chance to laugh your head off on set all day."
Suga's Solo Plans
Similar to RM, Suga already has two solo mixtapes under his belt. In 2016, the rapper made his solo debut under the name Agust D by dropping his self-titled mixtape, "Agust D." Then, in 2020, he returned as Agust D when he released his follow-up mixtape, "D-2."
Based on the group's announcement video, it seems Suga is currently working on his promised solo album, but there's no indication of when he'll release it. In the meantime, he'll also take some time to rest. "I'm trying to pursue my own happiness these days," he said. "Whether that's playing games, working on music, or just resting, I just love that we get to do those things freely now."
Jimin's Solo Plans
After he dropped songs like "Promise" and "With You [12]" over the years, ARMY can't wait to hear more solo music from Jimin. He hasn't revealed exactly when he's planning to release his solo album, but he did disclose during the FESTA dinner party that he's definitely working on it. "I get it now that I'm working on my album," he said. "It's different when you're writing your own music. After all, I want my music to tell a message to our fans."
Jimin revealed he's already played a couple of his works in progress for J-Hope and Suga. He even asked Suga to appear on the album. "There are a lot of stories behind [it]. I just thought Suga would go so well with the song, so I asked him," Jimin revealed.
Additionally, during a February 2021 interview on BTS's YouTube channel [13], he teased he would love to experiment with a "variety" of music styles [14] like acoustic songs and dance music. "I'd like to try a lot of different things without restraints," he said.