BTS back – but K-pop has changed

“I miss them so much,” says Stephanie Prado, a fan of Dique-Hard BTS waiting for the group to change after a two and a half year hiatus.

Ang iyang gugma alang sa batang banda nagdasig kaniya sa pagbalhin gikan sa Brazil hangtod sa South Korea – mao nga dili katingad-an nga ang usa ka Dakong Partido alang sa anibersaryo sa Biyernes sa Seoul sa Anibersaryo sa Grupo.

The time he spent waiting moves “slowly and quickly”, Stevanie said, the official army light, calling their own army.

Behind him is a large lightstick sculpture, should have a k-pop.

This year’s event is special because an unity at the end of the corner. The counting count last week, if four of seven members, RM, V, Jung and Jung and Jung Koke in the military. And the wait ended Saturday if the latter of them, lights, is dismissed.

“I hope they will rest now,” says Stephanie, before adding, “But of course I want albums, concerts, all”.

The 18 months in the military that are mandatory for all South Korean Men forced the world’s most successful boy band in recent years to hit pause in 2022. Some say, to a k-pop industry that is quite different to the one they knew, shaken by scandals and increasingly by scandals and increasingly Scrutinised over the excess pressure its puts on stars.

The loss of a leading band, industry keepers say, feel very good.

“Without BTS, a chief pillar disappeared,” Kim Young-Dae, Music Critics, BTS Author: The Review.

“There are concerns that the K-Pop has recently lost momentum. Really or not, BTS can change that understanding.”

There are no plans for all seven members to appear together, but that does not stop the army from gathering early on a moist mornings.

The upper, unstoppable queue launched at the subway station is an hour before gates for BTS Festa is open. Snippets in English, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish with Korean drop a local walking past asking, “Why do you have more foreigners here?”

Within more than a few people – some people are hopping with excitement and others weep after entering the “voice zone”, a phone booth of BTS members. About half fans talking BBC talking about what they miss BTS.

“As 18 months lasting forever,” says Vuo Matiwane, a South Africa visiting Thts places to be stuck in Seoul, like their favorite restaurant. “I cry every location – it’s very emotional.”

And then he watches the living people who are expelled, “excess”.

Being surrounded by all things BTS made a trip halfway across the world worth it, says Fara Ala, who travelled from the Netherlands: “Thy ‘s same food as BTS – that’s the same army, they’d say the same.”

South Korea military service is a significant test for the offerings, which most of them sign up to the top of their success. Previously, it was proved to be fatal for some races.

It is believed that the BTS is believed to raise it so that all seven members are lost from movement for no more than six months. The J-Hope, which was dismissed in the past October, since a solo tour of the world. But the so-called curse can be difficult to break.

For one, loyalty to fans can bend while new debut groups are about weekly, competing for their attention. Returning idols are also facing a difficult shift because a military entt and touching maturity is soothing K-pop appeal: youthful energy.

But if someone breaks the curse, it’s BTS, says Mr. Kim.

Each of them announces solo projects over the last two and a half years, he explained, without having their popularity as a natural group.

However, the industry beyond the army can be a challenge.

While BTS breaks, the other K-Pop sensation, Blackpink, did not drop an album since September 2022, selecting solo releases. These are the leaders of the third generation of K-pop.

But they succeeded in the fourth and fifth generation who brought fresh style to the genre. The newest works – getting rid of 2018 – lacking a standout name like BTS because K-pop is more different than before. The result is a different popular and experimental groups.

“Most people at my age like the fourth generation idols these days,” says a 13-year-old girl group.

“Some are still like groups of third generation, but for teenagers, BTS is different from their generations. A lot of new idols soon, and they became popular.”

But the biggest challenge to BTS superstar status is what a k-pop slowdown.

Income from concerts remained strong, but Sales album – a principal market market – quitting from one end of 2023. The stripping of BTS and Blackpink did not release albums.

South Korean Pop Culture Culture Cute Park Hee Ah agrees that K-pop has been through “some difficult times” while BTS is not.

There are also many controversies, such as the headline – who contends the hitline between hig Girl Group NewJeans and their will, allegations of heavy agencies and tricks.

“Album sales begins to drop, and some problems – like questions about companies doing the right thing – arise,” says Ms. Park. Because of all this, he adds, we see more “deeper problems in the K-Pop industry”.

That’s also why so much is looking forward to BTS returns, hoping to bring this changed force – and maybe even a path ahead for the industry.

“Their return helps people focus on Korean climate again,” says Ms. Park, adding that a remion of BTS is not just for their fans.

All eyes are in the next band song.

“I will then make an album and return to the stage,” RM, the group leader, says the day he was dismissed.

But a new group group may not come until next year because J-Hope has scheduled concerts at home, and concerts are scheduled all over the world. It is also possible for light, who reached the controversy after he was caught drunk – driving a scooter last year, maybe want to lie in a little while.

For millions of fans like Stephanie, knowing BTS together is enough – for today.

“It feels like nothing has changed. Kings come back.”