ARMYs Express Anger After Korea Singer Association’s Chairman Comments About BTS Continuing Group Promotions

They trended “#BTSItsOkayToRest”

Earlier this month, during the 2022 FESTA DinnerBTS announced that they would be taking some time out of group music venues and focusing on pursuing solo music. While HYBE and the members confirmed several times that they would still be doing group activities, many outlets and influential figures have taken the word “hiatus” as an end.

Members of BTS | @bts_bighit/Twitter

One of those people who has recently gained attention for their comments about the group is Chairman Lee Jayeon of Korea’s Singer Association.

Lee Jayeon | iMBC

For many, it isn’t surprising that BTS is seen as one of the leading factors in the rise of K-Pop globally, whether it is bringing in tourism or just highlighting the beauty of the industry.

One of BTS’s appearances to help Korean tourism
BTS met President Biden at the White House | @POTUS/Twitter

Unsurprisingly, ARMYs were sad about the announcement but shared their excitement about the new stage in the members’ careers. They also emphasized that after so long, it was time for the members to take time out to focus on themselves, especially after the members revealed the hardships they were going through.

| BANGTANTV/YouTube 

With all of this in mind, ARMYs raised their anger when Lee Jayeon released a statement asking BTS to reconsider its “hiatus” from group promotions.

In the statement, she described them as the “Greatest cultural soft power the world has ever known.” Yet, it was her belief that BTS’s break would mean the end of the Hallyu Wave (or the Korean Wave.)

As difficult as it was for there to be ‘The Next Beatles,’ it is difficult to anticipate ‘The Next BTS,’ and thus, I am afraid that the Hallyu Wave will cease. Although I know it was a difficult decision to make, I would like to ask that you reconsider the decision for the sake of Korea’s music industry.

— Lee Jayeon

As soon as the statement was released, ARMYs shared their anger about the statement, and the phrases “LEAVE THEM ALONE” and “BTSItsOkayToRest” started trending worldwide.

In the tweets, ARMYs and netizens worldwide shared that, despite the comments and their initial shock, they were okay for the group to take some time off. In particular, many posted all of the achievements and busy schedules the group has had since debuting in 2013, showcasing how hectic their lives have been.

While others raised concerns that BTS is being used as the leading force to drive the Hallyu Wave, even if it was at the expense of the members’ mental health. It seemed as if the desire for BTS to not take some time off wasn’t for their own good, but for that of the music industry, and it was treating BTS as products rather than humans.

Over the years, despite working endlessly, BTS has always encouraged ARMYs to take time out if things get overwhelming. In one interview with Weverse, Jin shared the importance of taking time out for yourself. It seems as if BTS are taking their own advice, and it’s upsetting for fans to see the backlash because of it.

People might wonder why you’re doing things that won’t help you in life, but I think that time’s important for everyone. Society is always out the things that are useful. And that’s good, too, but for our own sake, I think we require time to find stability in our own minds, even if it looks useless in the eyes of others.

— Jin

Jin

In the FESTA Dinner, RM also revealed that the lack of time away from working was a huge issue in the K-Pop industry.

But the problem with K-Pop and the whole idol system is that they don’t give you time to mature. You have to keep producing music and keep doing something.

— RM

| BANGTANTV/YouTube 

From the minute the members made the announcement, they emphasized that it isn’t the end of BTS at all. With group schedules, such as Run BTS!, the members just want a chance to try their own music and find their identities again after nearly a decade in the limelight.

You can read the full statement from Lee Jayeon below.

The Chairman Of Korea’s Singer Association Asks BTS To Continue Their Group Promotions

Source: TVdaily

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