“I missed them so much,” declared Stephanie Prado, echoing the sentiments of millions of die-hard BTS fans worldwide. For two and a half years, the global phenomenon that is BTS has been on hiatus, a pause necessitated by the mandatory military service required of all South Korean men. Now, the wait is finally ending, sparking immense excitement among the group’s dedicated fanbase, known as ARMY.
Stephanie, whose love for the band was so profound it inspired her move from Brazil to South Korea, was among the throngs gathered near Seoul for “BTS Festa,” the annual celebration held on the group’s anniversary. Waving an ARMY bomb, the iconic official lightstick, she described the waiting period as moving “both slowly and really quickly,” a testament to the conflicting feelings of anticipation and time passing. The sight of a giant lightstick sculpture nearby served as a powerful symbol of the fandom’s enduring presence.
The Long-Awaited Return
The culmination of this long wait began last week when four of the seven members – RM, V, Jimin, and Jung Kook – completed their military service. The final member, Suga, is expected to be discharged soon, bringing all seven closer to a potential full group reunion. Hybe, the group’s agency, even displayed a banner reading “We are back” on their building, fueling fan anticipation. The mandatory 18-month service had put the world’s most successful boy band on pause in 2022, just as they were at the peak of their global fame.
Fans celebrated the discharges with emotional fervor. Hundreds gathered outside Hybe headquarters, dressed in the band’s signature purple, holding banners and photographs. International fans traveled from as far as the UK and Australia to be present. RM thanked fans for their patience, stating he was “ready to hit the ground running again.” V described his service as a “time for me to reset both physically and mentally” and expressed a strong desire to return to ARMY quickly. Jungkook, acknowledging fans who traveled, admitted feeling “a bit embarrassed” returning to the public eye.
The hiatus was deeply felt. Events like BTS Festa saw fans crying in the “voice zone” listening to messages from the members. Vuyo Matiwane from South Africa visited BTS-themed locations in Seoul, tearing up at each spot, describing watching discharge livestreams as “overwhelming.” For fans like Fara Ala, who traveled from the Netherlands, simply “breathing the same air, drinking the same water, eating the same food as BTS” was enough, highlighting the depth of their connection.
Navigating the “Military Curse”
Military service poses a significant challenge for male celebrities in South Korea, often coming at the height of their careers and sometimes proving detrimental – a phenomenon referred to as the “military curse.” Challenges include the potential for fan loyalty to shift as new groups debut frequently, and the difficulty of maintaining the youthful energy often seen as key to K-pop’s appeal after a period away.
However, many industry watchers believe BTS is uniquely positioned to break this curse. Music critic Kim Young-dae notes, “If anyone can break the curse, it’s BTS.” He points out that the members staggered their enlistments effectively, ensuring there was never more than about six months where no members were active (Jin was the first to enlist in late 2022). Crucially, each member successfully launched solo projects during the break, maintaining their individual popularity without diminishing their standing as a group. This smooth transition means their return feels natural, rather than a difficult restart.
A K-Pop Landscape Transformed
While BTS was on hiatus, the K-pop industry itself underwent significant changes. Previous generation leaders like Blackpink also focused on solo releases rather than group albums. Meanwhile, newer acts have risen to prominence. The “fourth and fifth generations” of idols, largely debuting after 2018, have brought fresh styles and dramatically increased the genre’s diversity.
The result is an industry featuring a wider range of very popular and experimental groups, but notably lacking a single dominant name comparable to BTS in their prime. This shift is felt among younger fans; a 13-year-old fan of girl group IVE observed that while some still like older groups, “for teens, BTS kind of feels like they belong to an older generation. A lot of new idols debuted while BTS was away, and they have become popular.”
Industry Headwinds and Deeper Problems
Beyond generational shifts, the industry is facing broader challenges. While concert revenue remains strong, album sales, a key metric, have seen a decline since peaking in 2023. This slump coincided with the absence of major group releases from powerhouse acts like BTS and Blackpink.
South Korean pop culture critic Park Hee Ah acknowledges that K-pop experienced “some difficult times” during BTS’s absence. The period was also marked by several high-profile controversies, including the public dispute between hit girl group NewJeans and their agency, allegations of mistreatment by powerful companies, and issues of fan harassment targeting stars. Park Hee Ah notes these controversies revealed “deeper problems” within the K-pop industry.
Hope for a Revitalization
Given these challenges, many are looking to BTS’s return to inject renewed energy and potentially offer a path forward for the industry. Their absence was keenly felt; industry watchers described it as a “core pillar” missing from the K-pop landscape. Kim Young-dae suggests BTS could change the perception that K-pop is losing momentum.
Park Hee Ah agrees that their return “will help people focus on Korea’s music scene again,” benefiting not just fans but also reinforcing South Korea’s growing global cultural influence (Hallyu), which has seen recent successes like the Tony Award-winning musical “Maybe Happy Ending.”
What Lies Ahead?
With military service nearing completion for all members, attention now turns to the group’s next steps. RM has expressed a desire to “quickly make an album and return to the stage.” However, a full group album may not arrive until early next year. Jin is set for global fan concerts, and J-Hope has domestic concerts scheduled. Suga’s immediate visibility might also be cautious following a past controversy.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the precise timing of a full-scale group comeback and new music, for millions of ARMY members like Stephanie, the simple fact that BTS is back together is enough for now. As she puts it, “It’ll feel like nothing ever changed. The kings are back.” They return to an industry that has undeniably shifted and faced difficulties, but one that is also arguably more diverse and globally recognized than ever, largely thanks to the path they blazed. Can BTS navigate this new landscape and continue to lead? All eyes are watching.
