[K-POP] BTS Military Baekgi, Hive Boy Group 2024 Plan Notice

*Photo_Big Hit

BTS,‘military leave’ is still ongoing… ‘Spring Day’ continues

*Source_Dong-A Ilbo

The global super group ‘BTS’ is currently writing an ongoing history, including a comeback on the charts even during the military and hiatus.

  According to Big Hit Music, the agency on the 25th, the title song 'Spring Day' of the special album 'WINGS Side Story: YOU NEVER WALK ALONE' (2017), a repackage format of the 2nd regular album 'WINGS', will be released as a regular album. ‘Outro: Tear’, a song from the 3rd album ‘LOVE YOURSELF 轉 Tear’ (2018), the title of BTS’ debut album ‘2 COOL 4 SKOOL’ The song 'No More Dream' (2013) ranked first on the global iTunes 'Top Song' chart (December 13-15). Additionally, all three songs achieved the feat of entering the US Billboard ‘Digital Song Sales’ chart for the first time.

  The music video for ‘Yet To Come’, the title song of BTS’ anthology album ‘Proof’ (2022), exceeded 200 million views on YouTube on the 19th. Big Hit Music said, “The number of music video views for not only ‘Old To Come’ but also BTS’ existing songs has been on the rise since the 10th of this month.”

  On the 10th, RM and V enlist on the 11th, and Jimin and Jungkook enlist on the 12th, right before they begin their military service. As all seven members, following Jin, J-Hope, and Suga, who began their military service earlier, began their military service, the BTS fandom ‘ARMY’ was brought into the spotlight again by playing songs that were meaningful to the team and themselves.

  ‘No More Dream’ is naturally meaningful as it is BTS’ debut song. ‘Spring Day’ and ‘Outro: Tear’ are songs with the theme of longing, and Big Hit Music interpreted that the title, lyrics, and melody are in line with the emotions of fans around the world waiting for BTS.

  In particular, ‘Outro: Tear’ is a song that RM, Suga, and J-Hope completed together, and was created when the team was going through a difficult time. Last September, when V appeared on ‘Schuchta’, a talk show-style content hosted by Suga, Suga explained ‘Outro: Tear’ by saying, “It was a story told to the members.”

  Big Hit Music said, “'We walked towards the same place, but this place became our last', 'We talked about eternity, but we broke each other down without mercy', 'I thought we had the same dream, but that dream finally became a dream.' “The lyrics represent the feelings of BTS at that time,” he said. “It conveys the feelings of fans cheering for a new beginning by looking again at the value of the effort they made to overcome adversity and become the BTS they are today.” As is well known, ‘Old to Come’ is a song about BTS’ feelings as they finish Chapter 1 and wait for Chapter 2. The title contains the meaning ‘best moment is yet to come’.

  In particular, the music videos for this song are ‘Just One Day’, ‘Boy In Luv’, ‘RUN’, ‘Intro: Hwayangyeonhwa’, ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’, ‘Spring Day’, and ‘Fake’. It was inspired by BTS' past music videos such as 'FAKE LOVE' and 'No More Dream'. The fact that it not only looks back on the past but also heralds a new beginning seems to resonate with the fans' hearts even more strongly as it matches the current situation.

  Big Hit Music interpreted, “The reason behind the resurgence in popularity of BTS’s songs was the sincerity of ARMY who looked forward to the narrative and new chapter from their beginnings to overcoming crises and adversities.”

  BTS prepares a variety of content even during their period of military service to appease ARMY's longing. Jimin's fan song 'Closer Than This', which contains Jimin's sincere love for ARMY, was recently released and is receiving positive response. On the global OTT Disney Plus(+), episodes of the documentary ‘BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star’ are being released sequentially.

Previously released songs 'reverse' due to BTS' enlistment... “Gathering fans’ wishes“

*Source_Yonhap News

Foreign media also focused on BTS’ enlistment, saying, ‘They will remain popular even during their military service period.’

*Source_Nate Newsnem

Foreign media outlets including the US, UK, and Japan focused on the enlistment of the group BTS (BTS/RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook).

  Japanese media ANN reported on December 17 that all members of BTS entered the 'military period' (military + gap period) with Jimin and Jungkook enlisting together on the 12th. ANN said that any male between the ages of 20 and 28 is required to serve in the military, and mentioned service periods such as 18 months in the Army and 20 months in the Navy. There are cases where sports athletes receive exemption from military service if they win a medal at the Olympics, etc., but this does not apply to pop culture artists such as BTS, he said, adding that BTS plans to resume group activities in 2025.

  All members of BTS are currently serving in the army, except for Suga, who is serving as a replacement due to a shoulder injury and surgery. It was also mentioned that both Jin, who enlisted as the first runner and was promoted to sergeant early, and J-Hope, the second runner, received the honor of being selected as a special warrior for their excellent military service.

  Previously, American media CNN focused on the Korean military service system, and the New York Times also calculated the time it would take for all BTS members to resume their activities after completing military service.

  U.S. Billboard magazine columnist Jeff Benjamin said, "Generally, in any country in the world, if an artist group goes on a break, it affects their popularity. But I dare say, if there is anyone who can resist this formula, it would be BTS." "he said.

  The British BBC compared BTS to The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr), a British band that debuted in 1963. The Beatles topped the Billboard singles chart, which was dominated by American singers, with 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' in 1964, and appeared on 'The Ed Sullivan Show', which was considered the best American entertainment program of the time. This is a team that enjoyed a surge of popularity, recording a viewership rating of over 60% (a record of over 73 million viewers).

  The BBC said, "Imagine if the Beatles broke up at the height of their fame to join the army. That's what the world's largest pop band is in. members of BTS, the world's biggest pop band, are doing right now)"

  BBC said, "In Korea, all healthy men between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to serve in the military. Just four weeks ago, Jungkook reached the peak of his crossover solo album career in New York, USA. His popularity was soaring, but Jungkook stopped everything and returned to Korea. “Strictly speaking, South Korea is still at war with North Korea, and most men are required to serve in the military for 18 months,” the report said.

  The BBC quoted Grace Kao, a professor at Yale University, adding, "For Western fans, it feels very cruel to be forced to stop activities and take a break whether they like it or not at the peak of their careers."

  Meanwhile, BTS will resume activities as a full group after June 2025, when V, RM, Jimin, and Jungkook, who enlisted in December, are discharged. BTS members also could not hide their anticipation and excitement about reuniting with fans in 2025.

  In the album introduction video given to reporters to commemorate the release of his first solo album 'GOLDEN' on November 3, Jungkook said, "I think the same goes for other members, but I think we have become stronger in many ways by releasing solo singles and albums. “I think those activities are also part of BTS,” he said.

He added, "That's why I can guarantee one thing. It will be really cool if BTS gets back together in 2025. I'm looking forward to it more than you (fans)."

Episodes 1 and 2 of BTS documentary ‘Beyond the Star’ released

*Source_Yonhap News

The agency Big Hit Music will air the documentary 'BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star' on Disney+, an online video service (OTT), at 5 p.m. on the 20th, with two episodes every Wednesday for four weeks. It is revealed throughout.

*Image_ⓒPledis

‘Seventeen’s younger brother group’ Tours was a 6-member group… A new wind is announced with ‘Boyhood Pop’

*Source_Dalian

#Seventeen#Tours#TWS#Hive Boy Group

TWS, a new member of Pledis Entertainment (hereinafter referred to as Pledis), the ‘younger brother group of Seventeen’ that has been shrouded in mystery, will be composed of six members.

  On the 22nd, the agency Pledis said, “Tours is comprised of six elite members with solid performance skills, visuals, and excellent musical sense.” They added, “They are promoting their own genre, Boyhood Pop, which has expanded from their bright and refreshing team identity. “We will unfold a fresh musical journey by stimulating the pure and beautiful emotions of boyhood.”

  ‘Boyhood Pop’ is a fantastic and sensuous genre unique to Tours that evokes beautiful appreciation in everyday life. Every note and every lyric captures the natural story of boyhood. Tours plans to present their own friendly musical style that is natural and honest and not forced. Through this, we aim to become a precious friend who transcends time and space and makes the ordinary lives of the public and fans special at every moment.

  Tours attracted a lot of attention just by revealing the team name on the 21st. When the team logo motion announcing their debut was released, thousands of supportive comments followed within a day. In particular, as they are called the younger group of the multi-member group Seventeen, there has been speculation about the number of team members, but as the outline of a six-member group has been revealed, attention is now focused on the aspects of the six members.

 Tours, a boy group launched by Pledis nine years after Seventeen, is an abbreviation for 'TWENTY FOUR SEVEN WITH US', and the number 24, meaning a day, and the number 7, meaning a week, are used as a metaphor for 'every moment', creating the name 'Always Tours'. It means ‘with’. The official debut is in January next year.

[Official] ‘Seventeen’s younger brother’ Tours confirms debut on January 22nd… Hive 2024 first runner sortie

*Source: Chosun Ilbo

*Photo_Pledis Entertainment

Seventeen → Le Seraphim, support for Hive’s junior Tours debut

*Source_Sports Korea

Expectations for the debut of new boy group TWS (Tours) are rising thanks to the continued support of Hive Labels artists such as Seventeen, Tomorrow by Together, Enhyphen, and Le Seraphim.