Singers' association head opposes BTS' break from group activities
BTS during its “Proof Live” performance on YouTube / Courtesy of Big Hit Music
By Kim Rahn
The head of the Korea Singers' Association, Lee Ja-yeon, has urged K-pop giant BTS and its agency to reconsider their recent decision to halt group activities and instead focus more on solo projects, saying it will cause a negative impact on the global fever for hallyu.
Singer Lee Ja-yeon / Courtesy of Korea Singers Association
In a statement released by the association, Wednesday, Lee said, “I'm concerned that the Korean wave centering around BTS, which has the strongest cultural soft power in Korea and the world, may fade away … Like a 'second Beatles' won't arrive easily, it is unlikely for there to be a 'second BTS,' so I'm worried that hallyu may be cut.”
She continued, “You may have made the decision after deep deliberation, but would you reconsider (a withdrawal of the decision) for the sake of Korea's music industry?”
Lee claimed no BTS would mean no “Army,” the name of the boy band's fan club, saying many of them are hallyu followers and it will also result in the decline of hallyu-related tourism.
Regarding the mandatory military service issue facing BTS members, which is believed to be one of the reasons for their decision to focus on solo activities, the head of the singers' association called on the government and the National Assembly to revise the Military Act to exempt pop music stars from military duty just like top-performing athletes and artists.
The association chief's call, however, is not resonating with BTS fans.
They say Lee is talking like BTS is disbanding, which the boy band members and the agency have continuously denied, and that the group's decision has to be respected and is not something that a third party, like the association, can argue about.
“BTS is not a machine but humans. Those human beings say they faced limits and need time for personal growth, so why are you pushing them to continue to work? Stop it,” one internet user wrote.
“BTS is not the only driving force of hallyu but you are saying that it is like hallyu will die without BTS. If you're that worried, you'd better try to make an environment where a second BTS can grow,” another wrote.
The group's agency, Hybe, has not responded to Lee's call.
On June 14, BTS said the members would take a pause in their group activities and focus more on solo work to restore their individual identities and personal growth. As rumors of their disbandment followed, the team members and Hybe made it clear that the megahit group won't disband.