K-pop boy band BTS made headlines around the world when it was announced earlier in the week that they were going on an "extended break". It's the first break the seven members have taken since bursting on the music scene back in 2013.
While we don’t know exactly how long their it will last, a representative for BTS has told the Associated Press that the time off is a "well-deserved vacation" and not a "hiatus" that fans might have feared. It's also been confirmed that "the group is excited to get back on the stage very soon for their scheduled stadium tour" meaning they will be back for their gig in Riyadh on Friday, October 11.
However, in the meantime, take a glass half full approach to the break, and use the time to explore music by other K-pop artists. Here are five other groups to listen to:
1. BlackPink
The foursome is made up of Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa and have had a string of Korean number ones including Whistle, and Ddu-Du Ddu-Du. They debuted in 2016, have worked with artists such as Dua Lipa. They were also the first K-pop girl group to perform at Coachella in April 2019. Their music video for Kill This Love reached the 100 million views mark in just two days.
2. NCT 127
Another popular K-pop group, the 10 piece are a subgroup of NCT and formed in 2016. The group sings in English and Korean and are known for their hits Cherry Bomb, Regular (English version) and Superhuman. Their debut album Regular-Irregular topped the Korean charts in 2018.
3. Monsta X
The hip-hop boy band recently performed their hit Who Do U Love? at the Teen Choice Awards. The group was formed through the reality show called No.Mercy in 2015 and consist of seven members. They're know for their hits Alligator, Rush and All In. They've collaborated with US artists such as French Montana and Steve Aoki.
4. Got7
The group has seven members and was formed in 2014. Three of their albums (Identity, Flight Log: Turbulence and Present: You) have all topped the Korean music charts. Got7 sing and perform in Korean and Japanese. Some of their hit songs include Just Right, You Are and Lullaby. They're currently in the middle of a world tour and during their North American leg, they stopped to perform on The Today Show on June 26, 2019 becoming the first Korean group to do so.
5. Big Bang
Unlike the current crop of K-pop artists on the list, this group has been around for a while. Known for their hits Bang Bang Bang, Last Farewell and Sunset Glow, they have been dubbed the "Kings of K-pop" in the media. The band formed back in 2006 and currently consists of four members after one of the members retired from the entertainment industry following a nightclub scandal. Their fifth album Alive was the first Korean album to chart on the Billboard 200 in 2012.
