BTS' time-out leaves fans tearful, shareholders angry

Tanaka Rina, a Japanese fan of K-pop boy band BTS, cries at a cafe featuring BTS goods in Seoul, South Korea, June 15, 2022. Photo: Reuters

BTS faced tears and sympathy from fans but anger from shareholders in their management company on Wednesday, a day after the band, pleading exhaustion, announced a break from group musical activities to pursue solo projects.

Many in South Korea reacted with shock and dismay at Tuesday’s news that, with some of its seven members approaching military service age, also triggered speculation about the future of a band whose upbeat hits and messages of youth empowerment have turned them into global stars.