YouTube Video 'Jjin Bangtan Hoesik' Reveals Struggles... "Lost Direction"
RM: "What Story We Tell and What Message We Send Matters, But the Reason Is Gone"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The group BTS announced that after 9 years since their debut, they will temporarily suspend group activities and spend time individually.
On the night of the 14th, BTS posted a video titled “BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) Real Bangtan Gathering” on their official YouTube channel ‘BANGTANTV’. They conveyed their intention by saying, “We are pausing for a moment, becoming relaxed, and resting to move forward for much more time ahead.”
In the video, BTS members raised their glasses and candidly shared the inner stories they wanted to tell, revealing the struggles they have experienced over the past 9 years.
Suga said, “There were many more joyful moments while doing this work, but there were also really painful moments,” adding, “I just hope the members aren’t suffering. Whether playing games, working, or resting, it’s great that we can do whatever we want freely now. I sincerely hope we live doing what we truly want and remain happy until we die.”
Leader RM said, “Up until ‘Dynamite,’ it felt like our team was under my control, but from ‘Butter’ and ‘Permission To Dance’ onwards, I didn’t really know what kind of team we were,” adding, “What story we tell and what message we deliver is very important and meaningful in life, but that disappeared.”
The members cited ‘personal growth’ that they had not been able to focus on due to being immersed in team activities as the reason for temporarily suspending group activities.
RM confessed, “The K-pop idol system itself doesn’t let a person mature. We have to keep producing something, so there’s no time for me to grow.”
He continued, “I have changed a lot as a human being compared to 10 years ago. I think a lot, spend time alone behind the scenes, and those things should mature and come out as my own, but doing BTS for 10 years with a physical schedule, I couldn’t mature.”
RM also explained, “At the point when we were at our peak, it felt like we had to function in some way in the world, but recent activities didn’t give me time to think. At some point, I didn’t know what our team was. I didn’t know where I and our team should go next.”
He expressed his difficulties, saying, “I became a machine that translates rap, and if I worked hard on English, my role was done. We lost direction, and when I wanted to think and come back a bit, it felt like it would be rude to say these things. Fans raised us, but it felt like we weren’t repaying them.”
Screenshot of the video 'Jjin Bangtan Hoeshik' released on the official YouTube channel ‘BANGTANTV’.
Jimin said, “Only now do we realize what kind of singers we want to remain as to our fans, so I think we are going through a difficult time now,” adding, “It seems like we are finally trying to have our own identities, so maybe that’s why we feel a bit exhausted.”
Suga also confessed, “Lyrics and things to say didn’t come out,” adding, “At some point, I was forcing myself to squeeze it out. Now, I really have nothing to say. I don’t know what to say.”
The members also revealed plans to pursue individual growth through solo activities.
RM introduced, “We will now officially transition the content we called mixtapes into full albums. Starting with J-Hope’s content, it will be officially released. It’s a bit late to express each individual’s something.”
Jungkook said, “Personally, I will spend good time, gain various experiences, grow one step further, and come back to you all,” adding, “I firmly believe that the seven of us will definitely be better than now,” asking for support.
BTS released the album ‘Proof’ on the 10th, selling over 2 million copies. The meaning of ‘closing Chapter 1’ at the time of release is interpreted as a message to temporarily pause group activities as a complete team.
RM emphasized in the video, “I want to do BTS for a long time. To do it for a long time, I have to remain as myself,” adding, “Even if we can’t dance coolly like before, I want to remain as BTS, as RM.”
V said, “For 10 years, always looking up and moving forward, I was scared and had to give up myself for the team, and the fatigue and hardship that always come after happiness were countless,” adding, “Now, this is the start of our healthy steps to remain as BTS for a long time, and I believe ARMY will really like this side of us.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
