Stephanie Prado, a devoted BTS fan who relocated from Brazil to South Korea to be closer to the group, expressed her immense anticipation for their reunion after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus. She attended the annual “BTS Festa” near Seoul, a significant event celebrating the band’s anniversary.
The wait, she reflects, felt both fleeting and protracted. Surrounded by fellow ARMY (BTS’s fandom), identifiable by their ARMY bombs (official lightsticks), and a large sculpture of the lightstick itself, the palpable excitement was undeniable.
This year’s Festa held particular significance, marking the imminent return of four members—RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook—following their mandatory military service. Suga’s discharge concluded the process last Saturday.
“I hope they rest,” Prado stated, adding with a smile, “but of course, I also want albums, concerts, everything.”
The mandatory 18-month military service for South Korean men paused BTS’s activities in 2022. Their return coincides with a period of transition in the K-pop industry, characterized by slower album sales, scandals, and increased scrutiny of the pressures faced by artists.
Music critic and author of “BTS: The Review,” Kim Young-dae, observes the absence of BTS created a noticeable void. He suggests their return could revitalize the industry’s image amidst concerns about slowing momentum.
While a full group appearance is yet to be scheduled, ARMY gathered en masse on a humid morning in Goyang. The long queue extended to the subway station, attracting the attention of a local resident who expressed surprise at the large number of international fans present, a diverse crowd speaking English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and Korean.
Inside the Festa, fans queued excitedly or wept at the “voice zone,” where they could hear messages from the members. Many attendees openly expressed their profound longing for BTS.
Vuyo Matiwane, a South African fan visiting BTS-related locations in Seoul, described the experience as intensely emotional, stating, “I was crying at every location—it was so emotional.” The livestream of their discharge was equally overwhelming.
Fara Ala, from the Netherlands, summarized the sentiment of many fans: “Breathing the same air, drinking the same water, eating the same food as BTS—that’s enough for ARMY. If you ask other ARMY, they’d say the same.”
Military service presents a significant challenge for male K-pop idols, often occurring at the peak of their careers. BTS strategically staggered their enlistments, ensuring no more than six months without a member. J-Hope has completed his service and solo tour. However, the post-military period can be difficult; fan loyalty may shift, and the passage of time can diminish the youthful energy central to K-pop’s appeal.
Kim Young-dae believes BTS is uniquely positioned to overcome this. Their individual solo projects during the hiatus maintained group popularity, suggesting a smooth transition.
Challenges remain, however. Fellow K-pop giants Blackpink have also prioritized solo work over group albums since September 2022. The rise of fourth- and fifth-generation K-pop groups, with their diverse styles and lack of a dominant figure like BTS, presents a new competitive landscape.
A 13-year-old fan of the group IVE noted a generational shift in preference, with many of her peers favoring newer artists. BTS, she observed, is perceived by many teens as belonging to a previous generation.
A broader challenge facing BTS is a perceived slowdown in the K-pop industry. While concert revenue remains robust, album sales, a key indicator, have declined since 2023, a period coinciding with BTS and Blackpink’s reduced output.
K-pop culture critic Park Hee Ah acknowledges a period of difficulty, marked by declining album sales and controversies, including disputes between agencies and artists, allegations of mistreatment, and online harassment.
BTS’s return is widely anticipated to reinvigorate the industry, offering a path forward and enhancing Korea’s soft power. All eyes are on their next release.
RM, the group’s leader, expressed his intention to swiftly release new music and return to the stage. However, a new group album may not arrive until early next year due to J-Hope’s upcoming concerts and Jin’s international tour schedule. Suga’s recent drunk-driving incident might also impact his immediate activities.
For countless fans like Stephanie, however, the simple fact of BTS’s reunion is enough, for now. “It’ll feel like nothing ever changed,” she said. “The kings are back.”
A woman was seen punching random passcodes outside Jungkook’s home the day he completed military service.
It comes a week after the country elected a new president, who vowed to improve Korean relations.
RM and V were discharged on Tuesday and all seven BTS members would have finished the requirement by the end of June.
The woman has also been ordered to complete eight hours of sexual violence prevention education.
The beloved musical won six awards at the top US honours for threatre.