BTS Returns After Military Service

Warm-up Questions: (1) Read the headline. What do you think it means? (2) Can you name some K-pop artists and groups? (3) What kinds of music do you like to listen to?

The members of BTS wearing tuxedos.
BTS.

"I missed them so much," says Stephanie Prado, a big BTS fan who moved from Brazil to South Korea. She went to "BTS Festa," a party held every year near Seoul for the group's birthday.

The waiting time moved "both slowly and really quickly," Stephanie says, holding an ARMY bomb - the official light stick that BTS fans use. BTS fans call themselves the ARMY.

This year is special because BTS will finally meet again. Last week, four members - RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook - finished their military service. The wait ends Saturday when Suga, the last member, finishes too.

"I hope they rest now," Stephanie says, "but of course I also want albums, concerts, everything."

All South Korean men must spend 18 months in the military. This forced the world's most successful boy band to stop making music together in 2022. Now they return to a changed K-pop industry.

Music critic Kim Young-dae says, "Without BTS, a core pillar was missing." He adds, "There have been concerns recently that K-pop is losing momentum. True or not, BTS could change that perception."

Many fans came to the event early. Long lines waited before gates opened. People spoke English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

Inside, some fans were excited and others cried after hearing BTS messages. South African fan Vuyo Matiwane said, "It felt like the 18 months lasted forever."

Military service is hard for male celebrities. It has ended some careers before. But previously, each BTS member did solo projects during their break without hurting the group's popularity.

"I will quickly make an album and return to the stage," group leader RM said after finishing military service.

A new group album may not come until early next year because members have other concerts planned.

For millions of fans like Stephanie, knowing BTS is together again is enough. "It'll feel like nothing ever changed. The kings are back."

Sources: bbc.com, nytimes.com

For source links, see the article on ESLNewsStories.com

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Audio

Hear the article spoken:

Listen and Fill Gaps

"I missed them so much," says Stephanie Prado, a big BTS fan who moved from ___________ to South Korea. She went to "BTS Festa," a party held every year near Seoul for the group's birthday.

The waiting time moved "both slowly and really quickly," Stephanie says, holding an ARMY bomb - the official light stick that BTS fans use. BTS fans call ___________ the ARMY.

This year is special because BTS will finally meet again. Last week, four members - RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook - finished their military service. The wait ends Saturday when Suga, the last member, finishes too.

"I hope they rest now," Stephanie says, "but of course I also want ___________, concerts, everything."

All South Korean men must spend 18 months in the military. This forced the world's most successful boy band to stop making music together in 2022. Now they ___________ to a changed K-pop industry.

Music critic Kim Young-dae says, "Without BTS, a core pillar was missing." He adds, "There have been concerns recently that K-pop is losing momentum. True or not, BTS could change that perception."

Many ___________ came to the event early. Long lines waited before gates opened. People spoke English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

Inside, some fans were excited and others cried after hearing BTS messages. South African fan Vuyo Matiwane said, "It felt like the 18 months lasted forever."

Military ___________ is hard for male celebrities. It has ended some careers before. But previously, each BTS member did solo projects during their break without hurting the group's popularity.

"I will quickly make an album and return to the stage," group leader RM said after finishing military service.

A new group album may not come until early next year because members have other ___________ planned.

For millions of fans like Stephanie, knowing BTS is together again is enough. "It'll feel like nothing ever changed. The kings are back."

Comprehension

  • Stephanie Prado went to BTS Festa in Brazil.
    She went to BTS Festa in South Korea, near Seoul.
  • BTS stopped group activities in 2022 because of military service.
    All South Korean men must do military service, so BTS paused their work.
  • Some fans were emotional at the BTS event.
    The article says some fans cried after hearing BTS members’ messages.
  • A new BTS group album will be released next week.
    The article says a new album may not come until early next year.

Vocabulary

Match each vocabulary word with a definition:

      Discussion

      1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information?
      2. Would you travel to another country to see your favorite singer or group?
      3. Why do you think BTS is popular all around the world, not just in Korea?
      4. Do you think being a celebrity is easy or difficult? Why?
      5. Is military service required in your country? Do you agree or disagree with this rule?
      6. What could people learn or gain from doing military service?
      7. How can a singer or group lose momentum? How can they get it back?
      8. What do you think about fans crying at events? Is it normal or too emotional?
      9. How important is music in your life?
      10. What do you think will happen next for BTS? Will they stay popular?

      Answers

      Listening:

      1. Brazil
      2. themselves
      3. albums
      4. return
      5. fans
      6. service
      7. concerts

      Comprehension:

      1. False. She went to BTS Festa in South Korea, near Seoul.
      2. True. All South Korean men must do military service, so BTS paused their work.
      3. True. The article says some fans cried after hearing BTS members’ messages.
      4. False. The article says a new album may not come until early next year.

      Vocabulary:

      1. Festa (n): A special party or celebration.

      2. Light stick (n): A glowing stick fans wave at concerts to show support for performers.

      3. Military (n/adj): Related to the army or soldiers. In South Korea, military service is required for all men.

      4. Service (n): Time spent doing work for the army or government.

      5. Critic (n): A person who gives opinions about music, art, or books, often in the news or media.

      6. Momentum (n): The energy or progress that helps something continue or grow.

      7. Perception (n): The way people understand or think about something.

      8. Celebrity (n): A famous person, usually in music, film, or TV.

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