BTS During Hiatus: Individual Paths Explored

In June 2022, global K-pop phenomenon BTS announced a pause in full group activities, only days after releasing their first anthology album, Proof. Far from signalling an end, the hiatus marked a carefully planned transition. Over the next three and a half years, the seven members—RM, Jin, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook and Suga—embarked on individual artistic paths while fulfilling South Korea’s mandatory military service. Their collective return, confirmed in January 2026 with a new studio album scheduled for release on 20 March, has renewed worldwide anticipation.

The hiatus began with a strong emphasis on solo creativity. In July 2022, J-Hope released Jack in the Box, his first full-length solo album, showcasing a darker, more experimental sound. That same summer, he made history as the first Korean artist to headline the main stage at the Lollapalooza music festival, signalling BTS’s continued global influence even during a group pause.

October 2022 saw Jin release the single The Astronaut, a reflective track that resonated deeply with fans. Two months later, he became the first BTS member to enlist for mandatory military training. Around the same time, RM unveiled Indigo, his debut solo album, praised for its introspective lyrics and collaborations across genres.

Throughout 2023, solo releases continued at a steady pace. Jimin’s debut EP Face arrived in March, exploring vulnerability and identity, while Suga’s album D-Day followed in April, completing a thematic trilogy under his Agust D persona. J-Hope also enlisted that month. Later in the year, V released Layover, an album rooted in jazz and R&B influences, and Jungkook made his solo debut with Golden, which achieved significant international chart success.

By December 2023, all remaining members—Suga, RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook—had begun their military service. Despite this, previously prepared projects ensured a continued presence. In 2024, J-Hope released the special album Hope on the Street Vol. 1, RM followed with his second album Right Place, Wrong Place, and Jimin issued his second EP, Muse. Jin completed his service in June 2024, with J-Hope following in October.

The year 2025 marked a gradual return to public activities. J-Hope launched his first solo world tour in February and released Mona Lisa in March. Jin released his second EP Echo in May and began his own world tour, Run Seokjin, in June. By that month, all BTS members had completed military service. Between August and November, the group confirmed that recording for new music was under way.

Key Milestones During the Hiatus :

BTS’s hiatus ultimately became a period of growth rather than absence—allowing each member to mature artistically and personally, before reuniting with renewed purpose and global expectation.