BTS is again – however Ok-pop has modified

[ad_1] Watch: BTS members end South Korean navy service

"I missed them a lot," says Stephanie Prado, a die-hard BTS fan who has been desperately ready for the group to reunite after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus.

Her love for the boy band impressed her to maneuver from Brazil to South Korea - so it was no shock that she turned up final Friday for "BTS Festa", an enormous get together held yearly close to Seoul on the group's anniversary.

The time she has spent ready has moved "each slowly and actually shortly", Stephanie says, waving an ARMY bomb, the official lightstick utilized by BTS followers, who name themselves the ARMY.

Behind her is a large sculpture of the lightstick, a must have within the Ok-pop world.

This yr's occasion is particular as a result of a reunion is lastly across the nook. The countdown peaked final week, when 4 of the seven members, RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook, accomplished their navy service. And the wait ends on Saturday when the final of them, Suga, is discharged.

"I hope they relaxation now," Stephanie says, earlier than including, "however after all I additionally need albums, concert events, every thing".

The 18 months within the navy which might be obligatory for all South Korean males pressured the world's most profitable boy band in recent times to hit pause in 2022. Now they're returning, some say, to a Ok-pop trade that's fairly completely different to the one they knew: confronted with stalled album gross sales, shaken by scandals and more and more scrutinised over the extreme stress it places on stars.

The absence of a number one band, trade watchers say, was deeply felt.

"With out BTS, a core pillar was lacking," says Kim Younger-dae, music critic and writer of BTS: The Evaluation.

"There have been considerations just lately that Ok-pop is shedding momentum. True or not, BTS may change that notion."

The ARMY awaits

There aren't any plans but for all seven members to look collectively, however that did not cease the ARMY from gathering early on a moist morning in Goyang.

The lengthy, stressed queue stretched to the subway station an hour earlier than the gates for the BTS Festa opened. The snippets of English, Chinese language, Japanese and Spanish alongside Korean threw off a neighborhood strolling previous who requested, "Why are there so many foreigners right here?"

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/a9d1/live/4e4d12c0-4da2-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/a9d1/live/4e4d12c0-4da2-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/a9d1/live/4e4d12c0-4da2-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/a9d1/live/4e4d12c0-4da2-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/a9d1/live/4e4d12c0-4da2-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/a9d1/live/4e4d12c0-4da2-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/a9d1/live/4e4d12c0-4da2-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/a9d1/live/4e4d12c0-4da2-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Hyojung Kim/BBC Stephanie Prado, left, wearing a red shirt, poses with her friend while holding an official BTS light stick in her right hand" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Hyojung Kim/BBC Stephanie Prado (L) and a buddy, every with an ARMY bomb

Inside have been extra queues - some folks have been hopping with pleasure and others have been sobbing after getting into the "voice zone", a cellphone sales space the place you may take heed to BTS members' messages. About half of the followers the BBC spoke to teared up speaking about how a lot they missed BTS.

"It felt just like the 18 months lasted ceaselessly," mentioned Vuyo Matiwane, a South African who had been visiting BTS-themed venues in Seoul, like their favorite restaurant. "I used to be crying at each location - it was so emotional."

After which she watched the livestream of them being discharged, which was "overwhelming".

Being surrounded by all issues BTS made a visit midway internationally value it, says Fara Ala, who travelled from the Netherlands: "Respiratory the identical air, ingesting the identical water, consuming the identical meals as BTS - that is sufficient for ARMY. In the event you ask different ARMY, they'd say the identical."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/d78c/live/c6b24290-4da1-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/d78c/live/c6b24290-4da1-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/d78c/live/c6b24290-4da1-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/d78c/live/c6b24290-4da1-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/d78c/live/c6b24290-4da1-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/d78c/live/c6b24290-4da1-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/d78c/live/c6b24290-4da1-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/d78c/live/c6b24290-4da1-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images The seven members of BTS, in black tuxedos, smile at the camera" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Getty Pictures BTS is arguably the largest boy band in recent times...

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/3df7/live/8dcd5780-4da6-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/3df7/live/8dcd5780-4da6-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/3df7/live/8dcd5780-4da6-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/3df7/live/8dcd5780-4da6-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/3df7/live/8dcd5780-4da6-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/3df7/live/8dcd5780-4da6-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/3df7/live/8dcd5780-4da6-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/3df7/live/8dcd5780-4da6-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin, and J-Hope of BTS, dressed in white jackets and black-and-white pants, perform on stage with a mic in each of their hands" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Getty Pictures however can they recreate their success after a break?

South Korean navy service is a serious take a look at for male celebrities, lots of whom must enlist on the peak of their success. Prior to now, it has proved deadly for some careers.

BTS is believed to have staggered it so that each one seven members have been lacking from motion for not more than six months. J-Hope, who was discharged final October, has since wrapped up a solo world tour. However the so-called curse could be exhausting to interrupt.

For one, the loyalty of followers may wane as new teams debut nearly each week, competing for his or her consideration. Returning idols additionally face a troublesome transition as a result of a navy stint and a contact of maturity may dampen the essence of Ok-pop enchantment: youthful vitality.

But when anybody can break the curse, it is BTS, Mr Kim says.

Every of them introduced solo initiatives previously two and half years, he explains, with out hurting their reputation as a bunch: "It appears like their navy hiatus handed by naturally. Their return feels easy."

The shift in Ok-pop

Nonetheless, the trade past the ARMY can pose a problem.

Whereas BTS was on a break, the opposite Ok-pop sensation, Blackpink, has not dropped an album since September 2022, opting as a substitute for solo releases. These have been the leaders of Ok-pop's third era.

However they've been succeeded by fourth and fifth generations which have introduced recent type to the style. The newer acts - which debuted after 2018 - lack a standout title like BTS as a result of Ok-pop has change into extra various than ever. The result's a variety of extremely popular and experimental teams.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/68db/live/b43d7890-4da7-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/68db/live/b43d7890-4da7-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/68db/live/b43d7890-4da7-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/68db/live/b43d7890-4da7-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/68db/live/b43d7890-4da7-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/68db/live/b43d7890-4da7-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/68db/live/b43d7890-4da7-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/68db/live/b43d7890-4da7-11f0-8fe0-93859de315e8.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images All four members of Blackpink captured in a dynamic pose, wearing coordinated dark and sparkly outfits" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Getty Pictures Blackpink, the opposite Ok-pop sensation, hasn't dropped a bunch album since September 2022

"Most individuals my age like fourth era idols nowadays," says a 13-year-old fan of woman group IVE.

"Some nonetheless like third era teams, however for teenagers, BTS type of appears like they belong to an older era. Loads of new idols debuted whereas BTS was away, and so they have change into well-liked."

However the greatest problem to BTS' famous person standing is what some see as a slowdown in Ok-pop.

Income from concert events stays robust, however album gross sales - a key market metric - have been declining since a peak in 2023. The stoop coincides with when BTS and Blackpink weren't releasing albums.

South Korean popular culture critic Park Hee Ah agrees that Ok-pop went via "some troublesome occasions" whereas BTS was away.

There have additionally been a number of controversies, such because the headline-making dispute between hit woman group NewJeans and their company, allegations of mistreatment by omnipotent businesses and harassment of stars by followers and trolls.

"Album gross sales began to drop, and a few issues - like questions on corporations doing the best factor - got here up," Ms Park mentioned. Due to all of this, she provides, we did see extra "deeper issues within the Ok-pop trade".

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/0962/live/b05c3d60-4dc0-11f0-9cc7-7d5c7c8eaa8c.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/0962/live/b05c3d60-4dc0-11f0-9cc7-7d5c7c8eaa8c.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0962/live/b05c3d60-4dc0-11f0-9cc7-7d5c7c8eaa8c.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/0962/live/b05c3d60-4dc0-11f0-9cc7-7d5c7c8eaa8c.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/0962/live/b05c3d60-4dc0-11f0-9cc7-7d5c7c8eaa8c.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/0962/live/b05c3d60-4dc0-11f0-9cc7-7d5c7c8eaa8c.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/0962/live/b05c3d60-4dc0-11f0-9cc7-7d5c7c8eaa8c.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0962/live/b05c3d60-4dc0-11f0-9cc7-7d5c7c8eaa8c.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows fans of K-pop boy band BTS posing for photos as they queue up for the annual 'BTS Festa' celebrating the group's debut anniversary" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Getty Pictures Followers on the BTS festa

That is additionally why so many are trying ahead to BTS' return, hoping it is going to carry renewed vitality - and possibly even a path ahead for the trade.

"Their return will assist folks give attention to Korea's music scene once more," Ms Park says, including {that a} BTS reunion is nice not only for their followers but in addition for Korean smooth energy.

All eyes are actually on the band's subsequent music.

"I'll shortly make an album and return to the stage," RM, the group's chief, mentioned on the day he was discharged.

However a brand new group album could not come till early subsequent yr as a result of J-Hope nonetheless has home concert events scheduled, and Jin is about to carry concert events for followers internationally over the subsequent few months. It is also potential Suga, who landed in controversy after he was caught drunk-driving a scooter final yr, could need to lie low for a short while.