Formed in 2010 by Big Hit Entertainment and officially debuting in 2013, BTS has now spent 15 years together as a group. In the fiercely competitive landscape of K-pop, maintaining a complete lineup for such an extended period is exceptionally rare. BTS’s success has become a symbol of unity at its highest level, inspiring admiration and αωє from many.

However, throughout this long journey, the public has repeatedly questioned how much longer BTS could continue as a seven-member group. From the so-called “seven-year ¢υяѕє” in K-pop to the period when members began focusing on solo activities and sequentially enlisted in the military—resulting in a three-year hiatus from full-group promotions—doubts inevitably arose.

Even the members themselves have admitted on at least two occasions that they had contemplated disbandment. The first was during their tearful acceptance speech at the 2018 MAMA Awards, where they won “Artist of the Year.” More recently, during a live broadcast late last year, leader RM candidly shared, "(We've) thought for tens of thousands of times whether it would be good for us to disband or to suspend activities".

Yet after standing at the edge of uncertainty and doubt, RM concluded in that same broadcast, "What has kept this team going is how much we love each other, and the love and respect we have for those watching this livestream."

Reality has since proven the leader’s words true. Thirteen years after their debut, BTS is preparing to return with their fifth full-length studio album on March 20. This is not merely a comeback, but the beginning of a new chapter—one that extends the legendary journey of the seven members. At this moment, fans are reminded of the heartfelt words shared by the eldest member, Jin, during an appearance on KBS KPOP’s Leemujin Service at a time when BTS was focusing on solo activities.

During the program, host Lee Mu-jin noted that BTS had entered their 12th year and asked Jin about his future goals. Jin responded by sharing the long-term vision and plans that he and the members had agreed upon for the next 10, 20, and even 30 years.

"The members and I talk this often. We'd like to be on stage until we can't move. We'll each have our life but we'll also go on stage together. And if we have our own family, we can bring them and go perform together. We're talking about 10, 20, 30 years from now. I want to be on stage when I'm 50", he expressed. 

At the time, Jin’s statement served as a great source of reαѕѕurance for fans regarding the group’s reunion in 2026. Now, as BTS is gradually returning, his words stand as a promise for the future of BTS as seven—extending 20 years ahead, even when all the members are married and living their own lives. Jin’s message also clearly reflects the strong desire shared by him and the members to continue group activities for as long as they are physically able to sing and dance.

Jin’s heartfelt remarks also reminded fans of a past interview with RM, in which he affirmed that they would remain “Bangtan” even after becoming “papas.” In the book Beyond the Story, the BTS leader further emphasized that the group hopes to establish an ideal image of what an idol group can be, even in their thirties. Pursuing individual activities as solo artists, he explained, is a way of opening the next chapter for BTS as a group.

From this point forward, fans can confidently look toward a future in which they grow old together with all seven members of BTS. Many ARMYs were deeply moved, leaving emotional comments in response to Jin’s words:

- do you all realize the degree of 'forever' when they say apobanpo!!?

- plenty of opportunities to see them. I’m def not crying

- Our forever artists, we will be your forever army

- I feel this is soмєтнing where we need to listen to what is being said. In multiple directions. I do often feel people are caught in a time warp of the past rather than thinking of them as grown men.

- Hearing him talk about them all touring with families is making me so soft

- my seven will always be seven in my heart, i promise

- I’ll be with you For the rest of my life

- i do want to admire u guys for a long time, tell my kids a story of 7 amazing man

- That makes me insane happy and proud APOBANGPO !!!!!