The legacy of BTS is far from over. As they gear up for the release of their upcoming album Arirang, members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook are looking toward the horizon, expressing a collective desire to remain a group well into their senior years.
In a deep-dive cover story for GQ published on February 13, the global icons reflected on the intense pressure surrounding their return. After a significant hiatus dedicated to solo projects and the completion of their mandatory military service, the group is preparing for both new music and a massive world tour. Throughout the transition, the septet has focused on fortifying their personal and professional bonds, filtering out the noise to find clarity regarding their future together.
“If we can sustain this momentum, perhaps we’ll still be performing in our 60s,” Suga told the magazine. “As long as we remain willing, I believe we can stay together as a band through our 50s and 60s. Our knees might feel the strain, but I think we can make it happen.”
Despite this optimism, group leader RM previously acknowledged that living up to their monumental pre-military success—including the chart-topping 2020 album Be—has been a psychological burden. During a livestream last December, he candidly told fans (ARMY) that he had pondered the idea of disbandment or an indefinite hiatus “thousands of times” due to the overwhelming stress of the comeback.
Jimin view’s RM’s honesty as a testament to his dedication. “I see it as RM’s love language to ARMY,” he explained to GQ. “It highlights just how emotionally connected he is to both the group and the fans. Being that vulnerable is very characteristic of him.”
V echoed these sentiments, noting the unique weight carried by their leader. “RM is the identity of this group. As the core leader, he naturally shoulders much more pressure than the rest of us. I don’t usually feel that weight as heavily, but he certainly does.”
The members also reminisced about the difficulty of being apart during their service. V recalled a specific group meeting shortly before their official discharge where Jung Kook became visibly overwhelmed with emotion.
“He was moved to tears,” V shared. “Jung Kook cried because he missed the stage so deeply; he just had this visceral need to perform again.”
Following the debut of Arirang on March 20, BTS will launch their highly anticipated world tour in April, beginning with a series of performances in Goyang, South Korea. The trek is scheduled to run through March 2027, covering the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond.
For fans unable to attend in person, April will also feature global cinema events, with live screenings of the Goyang and Tokyo concerts hitting theaters worldwide.
Check out the BTS GQ cover features below.
