BTS admits anxieties of being forgotten during hiatus, says new chapter is 'just getting started'

Not only is BTS back, they're not going anywhere!

After a four-year hiatus during which they served in the military, the South Korean supergroup made a grand return to the stage at the historic Gwanghwamun in Seoul on Saturday. They performed songs from their newly released album, "Arirang," as well as old favorites.

During a break in their set, the members opened up to their fans, ARMY, about their worries while they were away.

"Honestly, we’ve anxieties about whether people would keep waiting for us or if we’d be forgotten," J-Hope said. "We did worry a little bit."

Suga confirmed these doubts and said they used the hiatus to reflect on their identity as a group in this new chapter.

"During the time we had to pause for a bit, we spent a lot of time thinking about what we should hold onto and what we need to change. We’re still not completely sure, and still feel anxious at times, but I think even those emotions are a part of who we are right now," he said.

RM agreed and said they have been asking themselves "what kind of artists we want to be remembered as."

"In the end, we found that the answer wasn’t outside, but within us. Listening to our own voices and capturing those thoughts and anxieties without hiding them. I think that was the essence of this album and the goal of this album," he said.

Now that they're back however, the group expressed every intention to keep going.

"BTS 2.0 is just getting started," J-Hope said.

RM added, "No matter what happens we promise to keep swimming together. This is just the beginning, we love you, ARMY!"

BTS announced a group hiatus in 2022. Later that year, the members started enlisting in the military by batches while launching solo careers.

The group reconvened in 2025 and released their new album, "Arirang," earlier this week. 

Netflix will release a documentary on the making of "Arirang" on March 27. —JCB, GMA Integrated News