BTS’ comeback tour is just what K-Pop needs

Despite the success of K-Pop Demon Hunters, the sector is not doing as well as it should.

- Juliana Liu

The imminent return of super band BTS couldn’t come at a better time. South Korea’s music scene is navigating a rough patch and has set its sights on international dominance.

The group’s biggest tour ever could be a major inflection point for the US$9 billion (S$11.7 billion) industry.

With a new album due to drop in March, the decade’s most commercially successful boy band is planning to perform about 65 dates around the world, including nearly half in the growing North American market.

BTS went on hiatus to serve compulsory military service at the height of their popularity, leaving the Korean music industry without a much-needed anchor.

Despite intense debate, there was never any serious doubt that the seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — could forgo conscription. Idols, as superstar Korean performers are known, are held to exceptionally high standards of principles, behaviour, and civic duty. But nearly four years of not touring together is an extremely long period for a youth-oriented band to be away.