What’s been going on? Let ya girl fill you in.
As the title of this post says, this is my commentary about what’s happened since June 2022. I’m calling the elephant what it is: a BTS group hiatus. Lets get it! It’s the story that goes on and on.
KIM NAMJOON
Namjoon said it from the start. He is now in a prime position to make a genuine statement to the world, because of their huge fame as BTS. He intended to use this fame as a sounding board. And he did exactly that with Indigo. Namjoon broke free of Big-Hybe and followed his mind and musical desire. He connected so many collaborations with artists, that wouldn’t be possible at all if he were still actively in BTS.
It must feel so fulfilling to reach out to the stars in his life and creating something on your own, of your own. Thus was the birth of Indigo, which Namjoon made sure to Sapir Whorf us all into seeing his different shades of blue. The album and statement he created was truly the last reflection of his 20s.
And even though he’s moved on from that, his album leaves a lasting mark much like the artists’ work that he regularly visits. I thought it was raw. I also thought he broke away from the bad-boy rapper persona and lived in his own minimalist yet classical taste. How does it feel Namjoon, to show your real self? Congratulations Oppa on this milestone in your life.
JUNG HOSEOK
Jung Hoseok. Dear, dear, Hobi
If there’s anyone I feel bad for, it’s this man. I’m an empath. I sensed that Hobi was sinking and drowning under the hiatus tidal wave that demanded he debut as a soloist, ASAP. Hybe thrust him into the chaos of creating a new image on top of creating a new album as a soloist. Hobi went through the blender.
Every time I saw him, he looked malnourished, sad, tired, and tired-sad. I don’t know if those unshed tears during one of his lives were of sadness or exhaustion. Hobi wears his heart on his sleeve. Anyone who pays attention can see how hard he struggled under so little time. And the man made a whole album, under a whole new persona that is so different from his own that it begs the question of whether it’s believable. Or even genuine. That’s not his fault at all. It’s the creative directors failure to rush him.
I personally think Hybe-hit just told him “hey, you have to surprise your audience, which isn’t just ARMY anymore.” And thus Jack in The Box alternative-emo-boy Hoseok was born. I give him so much credit for doing that entire album, and trying his best to fit into the mold. I’m sorry if that mold came on too fast, with too much eye shadow, and in so little time. I know Hobi was stressed.
And that’s why it came as a relief that he enlisted in the military. He needs space away from the idol life. I know he’d benefit from a new routine, fresh experiences, and three meals a day. I hope he gets some of that sunshine back when they release him from his duties. I hope he comes back from the military with a new perspective and renewed energy. J-Hope, you’re my hope. I can be your hope too! I’ll model how you face things head on. You did so well.
I respect Hoseok so much for what he did during Lolla and his entire process of becoming J-Hope in the box. He faced it head on, and I’m so proud of that. Hobi you give hope. And you’re a role model. Thank you.
PARK MF JIMIN
Park JIMIN is the golden-boy that emerged from the depths of this hiatus in the graceful way way the goddess Venus debuted from a pearlescent shell. Yes, I’m crowning the dragon king of talent the personal status of golden maknae-line.
The emergence of Face was personal to me. They say BTS comes when you need them most. And I listened to Face right when I needed JIMIN the most. He was the man who brought me into BTS world. He’s easily the best dancer, the and most driven to talent, with the hardest work ethic. Even despite all this, I didn’t expect him to ruin me the way he did with Face.
I was never a fan of his voice despite the rest of him being so earth shatteringly magnetic. BUT FACE. Face is like, him revealing his true face after the hiatus started. Every single beat, every lyric, every curated sound—-Jimin’s damn album is the best solo debut out there. He was quiet, but when he emerged—damn. His voice is beauty. He set me free too!
Jimin had a rough time in 2021/2. And I’m so glad he processed that and was able to Face himself and everything that’s going on. The pandemic. The hiatus. The pressure to debut. Jimin faced these circumstances with professionalism. He cried through it, and so did we. Face is a masterpiece. I could listen to his album endlessly. Jimin, you’re so damn. amazing. Thank you for revealing a part of you that is this…wow. Thank you. I owe you my life.
Min Yoongi.
The road from Suga to Agust D
Ok I see you Min Yoongi: with the gorgeous long hair, blazing hot glow up, and a whole world tour all up in our face. We knew from the start how hard he was working on his debut. It’s arguable to say that he prepared for it the most, because of all the things the members said about him working tirelessly to dance and expand on his other talents and
Yoongi served it up with D-Day. And HE MADE ME CRY. I was legit in my car crying when he decided to continue Life Goes On. That was such an artistic decision to reflect the reality that life really does go on, with or without each other. 😭
It’s not even (maybe it might be) due to the fact that he’s so ragingly handsome with his long hair. I can no longer deny his amazing talent. This gets a little personal, but I never truly appreciated him because he reminded me of a bad ex. I know, I admit to this projection. But for now I am striving to strip all my anti-bias and truly appreciate Yoongi the way he wants to be appreciated: as a professional.
I think it means more to Yoongi that I propose suggestions and feedback rather than simply propose. We were never like that anyway. But anyway, I’m happy he got to tour the world. I’m also happy he didn’t change too much of himself. I hope you had fun sir. And I hope you weren’t too tired, even though I bet there were truly exhausting moments due to going at it alone. Your fans love you, so please take solace in that! Keep growing Yoongles!
Also, Day 1 Chicago you literally dipped after your last song. I blinked an you were gone 😂 Did you have to poo or were you just done with it? Also, woof! 😂
Taehyung and Seokjin
I’m grouping these two into one categorical commentary: because they are clearly so done with being BTS, or at the very least it’s apparent they want a break from the idol life. To what level, I don’t know. I can only observe that Jin went dark for a long while before releasing one single, and Taehyung is still in Paris partying it up with Jennie and the likes. Sans music. Only glamour. It’s very Tata of him to party.
I recently read about Taehyung’s past. Even when they first debuted he was prone to seeing and living beyond the idol life. When he was a trainee he was out there eating ice cream with Joonie and going to k-spas with Koo. Tae is being Tae right now. As much as Jose Ochoa or any other viral fan wants KTH1 to be released, we must accept him as he is and watch from afar as he parties it up.
And good for him! I like to think that since their group hiatus, they’re able to make their own moves and independent choices outside of Hybe. I want that for them. So if Jin wanted to release a low key single and lay low for the before enlisting, that’s his damn right! Same goes for Taehyung and his galavanting. They should have a choice. And I support them.
Which leads me to the love of my life,
Jeon Jung Kook
Baby are you okay?
Because it’s okay not to be okay.
We’re in this abyss together.
I’m going to preface this by saying that even before the concerning drunken Weverse lives and unruly hair: Jung Kook lost weight. A lot of weight. It happens when they’re stressed. And his weight loss was the most prominent when Koo had to make a public statement to investors the day after their hiatus announcement. That’s just the beginning.
For a long time Koo was not okay. And understandably so.
By comparison to the rest of the guys, Jung Kook is the member who spent the most of his youth as BTS, and this hiatus has therefore affected him the most out of everyone. BTS was engrained into his ego since the age of 15. And now what? Yes more alone Time. Yes space from being BTS. But then what? What fills that space?
How do you cope when the way you’ve been living your life (who you are by extension) has suddenly been uprooted? You drink. Reaching out to fans with karaoke and profuse amounts of alcohol is what Jung Kook did.
Unfortunately besides FIFA he was out of work for a long time. And during this time, we saw a marked decline to his health through his v-lives. He looked “a mess” as he drank himself into oblivion. I was told there was even a tearful moment when he asked us if we would still love him if he weren’t talented. That’s an identity crisis right there.
I mean damn. He’s going through it, and having to deal with being alone. That’s scary when all you’ve known is your hyungs for the majority of your life. And now they’re gone professionally. There’s nothing to do but cope.
I can posit theories and say Koo disconnected from Instagram because he didn’t want to keep up appearances. I can also say that him drinking and sleeping during his lives is his way of lashing out at Hybe a little. The man gets a sense of control when he does these ‘taboo’ things. All in all it’s lighthearted fun though, compared to what was taken away from him. So I say: Jung Kook get sloshed and continue to sleep and sleep and sleep during lives. Invite me to your shower and give Hybe reverse anxiety.
A shower is not a far deviation since all of his v-lives have become super personal. He’s letting us watch him cook, fold underwear, eat alone, and just hang out with him. I think that’s a manifestation of his loneliness. Even his poor dog is in bad health. The man is isolated and reaching out to us every day.
And it’s good to reach out to people who love you. He needs to know that millions of people love him. So he’s doing the right thing by spending more time with us. All in all Jeon Jung Kook is bravely doing his best with coping by keeping in touch with fans, boxing, and dancing to different artists, and singing to stay alive.
His music is his heart. HALLELUJAH THAT HIS COMEBACK IS ON THE HORIZON. Hybe threw the golden maknae fish back into his ocean. The man is music. So I’m glad 7 is coming!! I’m the most happy out of everyone that Koo is debuting. Because music is his heart and happiness. This gives him purpose to bulk up, travel, and refocus his mind on his passion instead of what was taken away. I love that for him. His love for music is pure.
And his heart is pure. So I have 100 percent trust in him giving us the highest quality of who he is. 7 is such a triggering number. It gives nostalgia, but it also makes Jung Kook focus on 7, and not 1. And in this separation I hope he is able to reconcile it with his passion for music and lyrics. I hope he grows and I hope that his goals keep him busy and thriving.
Baby is on his way to NYC and I haven’t heard anything yet. But baby, I am SO HAPPY FOR YOU that you’re working on music again! Let that be the light that guides you home. To me.
Me since the hiatus: no lies
When Namjoon announced their hiatus, I took it hard. I avoided them a lot because I was heartbroken. I still kept up with my Weverse merch purchases, but the pain of them separating and even leaving Hannam the Hill was like my heart breaking. Until now I don’t watch things as I used to. It’s hard to face the truth.
How have I been since then?
One of them said that they hope we find happiness, even in their absence. I think I unwittingly began trying new things. I focused on the water rabbit Year, my health kick, and embroidering and just self-care. I went out to the park, water parks, etc. I’m reading and writing. On the ARMY side I have new moots and am developing new friendships.
It doesn’t feel like growth, but I have moments of peace in these.
So yeah, I can say that I am a working progress. I want us to reunite soon. I also want to be the best for me. The best version of me when we meet, and the best me for me, for life.
All in all, thank you for breathing life into me Bangtan. I love you. I love me, or am always trying to. And that’s in part because of you.
Let’s all be healthy.
Let’s all be happy!
Let’s get it.
Jeonin & Majuning 
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