“It will also be the first time since their debut for them to spend the holiday season with their families. We kindly ask once again that you show consideration for their need to enjoy ordinary and free everyday lives while solely concentrating on themselves, albeit for a short while, during their period of rest. BTS will be focusing on preparing for the concert and release of the new album that will mark the beginning of a new chapter.”

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“Everyone needs a break, and that is a really powerful message,” says Joanna Elfving-Hwang, an associate professor and director of the Korea Research Centre at the University of Western Australia. “BTS is a global phenomenon, and publicly saying they need time for themselves breaks the mould of the typical image of the K-pop industry, which is 24/7 availability.”

Why is South Korea’s suicide rate so high?

Like many East Asian countries, South Korea is known for its highly competitive, individualistic culture, which was largely shaped by its rapid globalisation in recent years.

“The nature of competitiveness in Korea is merciless and relentless,” says Hyeouk Chris Hahm, a professor at Boston University’s School of Social Work. “After being occupied by a military dictator, Korea became much more individualised and egalitarian, and society became very competitive … and as a result, people started experiencing more psychosocial stressors.”

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This is one of many reasons Korea has one of the highest suicide rates among OECD member nations, she says. A 2016 study found that even though 30 per cent of South Koreans suffer from mental illnesses, only half seek treatment.

“Mental health has traditionally been a taboo subject in South Korea. It’s always been seen as a reflection of character, temperance and maturity,” says Anson Au, a sociologist at the University of Toronto. As a result, stress is normalised as “a part of life that everyone inevitably goes through” and “what results is immense pressure to conform and suppress any mental health issues”.

K-pop stars face additional unique challenges. These celebrities are recruited at a young age and often live and train at a company away from their parents.

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Is the industry changing or is BTS an exception?

When a group as big as BTS uses their platform to advocate for mental health, it’s inspirational, says Elfving-Hwang.

“It’s a big statement to say ‘we’re going to give ourselves a break’, because they’ve been running like crazy, and it’s important to recognise that anyone should have balance, family time and time for themselves,” she adds.

But BTS may have a limited impact on systemic changes for other influencers since the group’s international success “gives them disproportionately more power than any other K-pop performer in the industry”. Most recently, they sold over 200,000 tickets for their December 2 Los Angeles concert – earning the sixth-highest grossing engagement in Billboard Boxscore history.

“People might feel more at ease to talk about their mental health issues now, but that doesn’t take away from the inequality or working culture that created them in the first place. So the stressors may still be there,” Au cautions.

“When men make mistakes, society as a whole is more likely to forgive them. But for women to expose their mistakes, or come out with bold feminist statements or aren’t wearing bras like Sulli (who died by suicide in 2019), then fans will just ostracise them,” Hahm says.

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There’s a long road ahead

“K-pop is a very intense industry and going into it quite young can be extremely hard. That’s why having bands like BTS openly putting out statements saying ‘OK, we need a break’, will hopefully give other production companies and artists permission to focus on their well-being,” Elfving-Hwang says.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time, day or night, or chat online.

Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.