The Times, a influential British daily, published a special article related to the temporary suspension of BTS's activities on the 17th, local time.



The Times made a big announcement that a special article was published with the phrase 'Why did BTS, the world's largest boy band split up?' on the head of the front page, and on the back side, the front photo and analysis of the Asian editor who interviewed BTS in 2018 were reported.



The newspaper's Asia editor, Richard Lloyd Parry, criticized the idol system and fandom culture for not giving them time to grow, in an article titled 'BTS and I: We weren't surprised by the suspension'.



Parry, an editor based in Japan, recalled past interviews and pointed out, "The life of BTS seemed like a 'formula of nervous breakdown,' and it happened in less than four years."



In addition, BTS members wrote that in an interview at the time, they did not have time to meet their family, let alone dates, and that they did not have a normal life pattern.



"I felt bad for BTS," he said. "It was sad rather than sexy, exhausted rather than flashy, and he was the most abused millionaire I've ever seen."



He continued, "The agency says it's a temporary adjustment, but given the stock is down 28%, it suggests that at least investors see BTS Cash Cow's milk as dry."



Commenting on the pressure on BTS, Parry said,



Based on my experiences after the interview at the time, I also criticized the fandom of 'Army'.



In the interview article, he said, "RM has an IQ of 148, but his English sentences are strange sometimes, so he looks more like (mistaken and ridiculous) Joey than Chandler among the characters in the sitcom Friends."



He said, "I was teased lightly and was accused of being 'xenophobic'," he said.



He also pointed out that ARMY likes dance and music, but is not interested in remarks that support philosophy, tolerance, or self-respect.



At the same time, the former editor-in-chief of a famous women's magazine also drew attention by publishing a 'confession' that he was the fan club ARMY.



Joe Elvin (52), who served as the editor-in-chief of British magazine 'Glamour', poured out his affection in a tone completely different from that of Parry's editor in an article titled 'Confession of a Middle-aged BTS Fan: My Favorite RM'.



When the squid game came out last year, Elvin confessed that he became an ARMY while talking to a stranger who is a BTS fan on social media, and that he is getting through the 'midlife crisis' well thanks to him.



He said, "I've heard of BTS, but I never thought I'd fall for it. Boy bands are for teenagers only, and I can't sing along in Korean."



He said, "Then I asked the other person to convince me,



Elvin was rumored to be an ARMY while watching a BTS video in the office, and when he left a few months later, he said that there was an episode where the employees synthesized BTS photos and presented them as gifts.



(Photo=Captured by The Times, UK, Yonhap News)