#BTSisBack trends on Twitter as K-pop superstars end break

Korean boy band BTS has ended its break from the music scene and resumed promotional activities, K-pop news website Soompi reported Monday.

A source from the band's agency, Big Hit Entertainment, confirmed the end of the group's "period of rest," according to Soompi.

The month-long pause was the first official break of BTS — or Bangtan Sonyeondan, which translates as Bulletproof Boy Scouts — since it debuted in 2013, Big Hit earlier said.

BTS flew out from Incheon International Airport early Monday for an overseas schedule, Soompi added.

Fans of the group, collectively known as ARMY, marked the end of the break with the hashtag #BTSisBack, which topped the list of Twitter trends in the Philippines and worldwide.

The septet is also preparing for a concert in Saudi Arabia on October 11 as part of its "Love Yourself: Speak Yourself" world tour.

The band will conclude the tour with a three-day concert at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul from October 27 to 29.

The K-pop industry is known for cutthroat competition and around-the-clock work hours that include concerts, press events and grueling singing and dancing training when the stars are offstage.

-- With a report from Agence France-Presse