BTS members are starting chapter 2 with their first solo activities. This is also what BTS mentioned in Real Bangtan Dinner.
At the time the news came out, there was some misunderstanding about BTS going to disbandment like One Direction. But this has a huge difference.
In mid-June, BTS announced on Real Bangtan Dinner that they would be taking a break from group activities for a while. At that time, this announcement generated mixed reactions from the audience.
Although fans were shocked at first, they largely welcomed BTS's decision. On the other hand, many media outlets have exaggerated the situation, alleging that the announcement could translate into segments going their separate ways.
However, the main reason lies in the original English subtitles for Real Bangtan Dinner using the phrase "hiatus" to translate the meaning. While the term originated with another influential boy band's dissolution: One Direction.
After Zayn Malik left the group in March 2015, the group continued to function as a quartet and released one more album before announcing an "extended hiatus" a few months later. But years go by, and One Direction seems to show no signs of reuniting and is completely focused on solo.
Another group of "The X Factor", Fifth Harmony, apparently made the same announcement as One Direction in March 2018. That's why many people fear the breakup of BTS.
But there are some obvious differences between One Direction's "indefinite hiatus" and BTS's chapter 2. The most obvious sign of BTS's convergence is still under contract with HYBE. Their contract runs until 2026.
Meanwhile, One Direction's contract with Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music expired at the end of 2015 and now appears to be defunct. So although 1D can certainly continue their activities under different record labels and no longer have any contractual obligations in common.
What's more, One Direction seems to have had an internal rift in the group's activities for a long time, and Malik's departure is the culmination of controversy. Thus it makes the idea of a reunion less likely.
Meanwhile, BTS members still expressed that they will maintain group activities mixed with solo activities. Jungkook also said BTS is forever in his explainer livestream. And recently, all 7 members got a tattoo of friendship, confirming their attachment for many more decades.
Not only that, the cause of BTS "hiatus" is due to the impact of the military service issue. The members of BTS have gradually turned 30 and even 31 years old and it is time for them to complete their military service according to the regulations of the Korean government. That's why they need solo activities to ease ARMY's sadness when the members are absent.
In general, the methods of the two groups are completely different and their intentions are not the same. As RM said, "I want BTS to go on for a long time. We have to go through this to do that. I want it to last long, and for BTS to last long, I think I have to retain who I am", we can believe that "BTS is forever".
