Ever since BTS announced that they were going on hiatus until 2025, their devoted fanbase, known as the Bangtan Boys or ARMY, have only been standing behind them. Fans who are so dedicated that they insist on supporting their favorite K-pop group through thick and thin. They did this with a simple message: “Trust BTS.”
Across the globe, Twitter timelines were filled with live reactions to the news. Initially, people were disappointed but later the group’s support for the members made many think that everything was going to be okay. Despite the setback, the group remained optimistic by preparing their fans for this moment during their show over the weekend. During a lesson about perseverance, RM told his audience: “If seven BTS members feel like this and you have faith in us, we will carry on through whatever happens and we’ll make music with you guys.” Please have faith in us.
“One thing I’ll forever praise BTS for, is their honesty and transparency,” read one tweet from user @mygbebe. “The Festa Dinner, their speeches in Busan, it literally prepares us for this moment where we could easily be confused & sad, but now that we’re informed, we’re understanding and more eager to support them.” (Back in June, the group hosted a live stream of the group’s members having a dinner, talking about their future as a group.)
Members of BTS – Bantam Boys, (L to R), V (Kim Taehyung), JK (Jeon Jungkook), Jimin (Park Ji-min), RM Rap Monster (Kim Namjoon), Jin (Kim Seok-jin) and Suga (Min Yoongi) met with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss Asian inclusion and representation, and to discuss the recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes.
“One thing I really admire about BTS is that how they gently prepare us for news.. won’t call it handholding exactly but more like the quiet assurance that lends to trust them so easily,” wrote @ddaenggirl__. “Knowing something is coming subconsciously doesn’t prepare you for it actually happening.”
One thing I’ll forever praise BTS for, is their honesty and transparency. The Festa Dinner, their speeches in Busan, it literally prepares us for this moment where we could easily be confused & sad, but now that we’re informed, we’re understanding and more eager to support them.
— ⁷ (@mygbebe) October 17, 2022
one thing I really admire about BTS is that how they gently prepare us for news.. won’t call it handholding exactly but more like the quiet assurance that lends to trust them so easily. knowing something is coming subconsciously doesn’t prepare you for it actually happening & +
— scissors anti (@ddaenggirl__) October 17, 2022
There was much speculation over whether the Korean government would exempt BTS from enlistment after the nation made a change to their enlistment requirements. Fans of the five-member band seemed to be very supportive of their decision, and praised them for taking control of their future and deciding what was best for them.
“As part of the HYBE family, we support and encourage our artists and are beyond proud that they will each now have time to explore their unique interests and do their duty by being of service to the country they call home,” read a statement from the group’s label Monday morning.
As the first member to enlist, Jin will be eligible for 18- or 21-month terms as a service member. All band members will participate in this time by working on music projects that they can release while they are active duty soldiers before they enter the military.
“[South Korean] government wanted to see bts’ impact with the busan concert to make a decision but bts did the concert, canceled the military postponement and made a decision themselves instead. I have so much respect for these men,” read one viral tweet from user @hrlykoo.
sk government wanted to see bts’ impact with the busan concert to make a decision but bts did the concert, cancelled the military postponement and made a decision themselves instead. I have so much respect for these men
— jungkook thinker (@hrIykoo) October 17, 2022
Ultimately, fans shared their understanding of the group’s decision and stood behind a unified message. Ultimately, fans shared their understanding of the group’s decision and stood behind a unified message to trust their favorite artists.
“2025. I trust bts and will support them until the very end. I will stay in that same spot by their side and wait for them,” read a tweet from user @dreamjeons. “And while we wait for them, we’ll be sure to be there when they all do their own projects. we still have more concerts and a time capsule to open, right?”
Some referred to direct messaging in their statement.
“Do NOT forget the last words. ‘Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)’ is more than a track from their latest album, it is a promise, there’s much more yet to come in the years ahead from BTS,’” wrote @130613fate. “BTS won’t break their promise. Trust them.”
Do NOT forget the last words. “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” is more than a track from their latest album, it is a promise, there’s much more yet to come in the years ahead from BTS”
BTS won’t break their promise. Trust them.
— Mu⁷ (@130613fate) October 17, 2022
Fans of Bangtan Boys don’t have to worry that they’ll miss out on new music or performances. Army will still be able to access social media during their time in the military, and their favorite member may even post a picture of themself with the soldiers.
One viral tweet from @odetonamu read: “btw enlistment doesn’t mean we’ll get radio silence for three years. the members will still be able to update instagram / weverse / twt during their breaks so don’t worry!! i’m sure we’ll receive lots of updates from them 💜.”
The band members have been candid about the probability that they would be enlisting in the military. Their cover story interview with Rolling Stone last year was revealing, as they discussed how “it’ll work out eventually.”
“I think the country sort of told me, ‘You’re doing this well, and we will give you a little bit more time,’” Jin told Rolling Stone last year. Military service, he added, is “an important duty for our country. So I feel that I will try to work as hard as I can and do the most I can until I am called.”
