K-pop Group BTS to Take 'Extended' Career Break

Korean group BTS is taking some time off from their career for a period of rest and relaxation and fans have expressed their support to this “well-deserved” break.

Hip-hop group BTS (Bangtan Boys) is taking an extended break from performing to enjoy a period of relaxation and a brief experience of ordinary young lives, their agency Big Hit Entertainment announced.

“We would like to announce that for the first time since their debut, BTS will be going on an official and extended period of rest and relaxation,” wrote the Big Hit Entertainment in a statement.

The Lotte Duty-Free Family Concert held on August 11 marked the group’s last scheduled event before the “rest and relaxation” period began.

“This period of rest will be an opportunity for the members of BTS, who have relentlessly driven themselves towards their goal since their debut, to recharge and prepare to present themselves anew as musicians and creators. This will also provide them with a chance to enjoy the ordinary lives of young people in their 20s, albeit briefly,” the entertainment agency continued.

The agency also hinted that members may take their separate ways of taking their time as they will recharge in their “own personal ways.” To the fans’ relief, Big Hit assured fans that BTS will be returning.

Fans are asked for consideration of this vacation time upon encountering members in a public setting while on their private time.

The group’s audience, who comes from different parts of the globe, have expressed their support on Twitter by trending the hashtags #RestWellBTS and #HappyVacationBTS.

“ I'll miss you lots, but this is what you deserve and need the most,” said Twitter user @MaijaKoko.

Another user highlighted that the vacation is well-deserved as it is the group’s first break since they debuted in 2013.

This video shows some of the last glimpses of group members RM, J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, Suga and V during their most recent concert in Seoul.

Korean groups often take career breaks, or a hiatus, especially when male members are called for mandatory military service. All male citizens between the ages of 18 and 28 are subjected to compulsory military service with only a few exceptions.

BTS just capped off their third worldwide tour, “Love Yourself World Tour” in April. Big Hit has not revealed any information on how long the BTS’s break will last.