It’s hard to believe that it has been 10 years since BTS debuted as a rookie K-pop group in June 2013. Since then, the seven-member band has achieved unprecedented success and popularity, breaking records and barriers in the global music industry. From winning Grammy nominations and Billboard awards to collaborating with top artists like Ed Sheeran and Coldplay to delivering inspiring speeches at the United Nations, BTS has proven that they are more than just a musical phenomenon — they are a cultural force.
But how did BTS go from being an unknown hip-hop act to becoming the biggest band in the world? And what makes them so special and beloved by millions of fans, known as ARMY, across the globe? Let’s take a look back at their remarkable journey and celebrate their 10th anniversary.
The Beginning of BTS:
BTS, which stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan (Korean for Bulletproof Boy Scouts), was formed by Big Hit Entertainment, a small and relatively new company at the time. The group consists of RM (Kim Namjoon), Jin (Kim Seokjin), Suga (Min Yoongi), J-Hope (Jung Hoseok), Jimin (Park Jimin), V (Kim Taehyung) and Jungkook (Jeon Jungkook). They were all scouted or auditioned for Big Hit, except for Jin, who was cast on the street for his good looks.
The group debuted on June 13, 2013, with the single “No More Dream” from their first album 2 Cool 4 Skool. The song was a rebellious anthem that criticized the pressure and expectations imposed on young people by society. The group also showcased their impressive rap skills, dance moves, and charisma on stage. However, they faced many challenges and hardships as a rookie group from a small company, such as lack of recognition, low budget, harsh criticism, and even death threats.
The Rise of BTS:
Despite the difficulties, BTS persevered and continued to release music that reflected their own stories and opinions. They also developed a loyal fanbase that supported them through thick and thin. They gradually gained more attention and recognition for their musicality, creativity, and authenticity. They also expanded their musical style and genre, incorporating elements of pop, rock, EDM, and more.
Some of their early breakthroughs include winning their first music show award in 2015 with “I Need U”, releasing their first chart-topping album The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever in 2016, and holding their first solo concert in Korea in 2017. They also started to make waves internationally, especially in the US market. They became the first Korean act to win a Billboard Music Award in 2017, to perform at the American Music Awards in 2017, and to top the Billboard 200 albums chart with Love Yourself: Tear in 2018.
The Global Domination
BTS reached new heights of fame and success in the past few years, becoming a global sensation and phenomenon. They broke numerous records and achieved many milestones, such as selling out stadiums around the world, appearing on various TV shows and magazines, speaking at the UN General Assembly twice, receiving multiple Grammy nominations, and becoming the first Korean act to have a number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Dynamite” in 2020.
They also released some of their most acclaimed and popular albums, such as Map of the Soul: Persona in 2019, Map of the Soul: 7 in 2020, and BE in 2020. Their songs explored themes such as self-love, identity, social issues, and mental health. They also collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, such as Halsey, Lauv, Lil Nas X, Sia, and more.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic that affected the music industry and prevented them from touring, BTS continued to connect with their fans through online concerts, live streams, and social media. They also released new music that brought joy and comfort to many people during these difficult times. Some of their recent hits include “Life Goes On”, “Butter” and “Permission to Dance”.
The Celebration of BTS:
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, BTS is holding a special festival called BTS Festa in Seoul on June 17. The festival will feature various events and activities for fans to enjoy and commemorate their decade-long journey together. Some of the highlights include:
- A fireworks show over the Han River park, followed by a live talk from BTS’ leader RM.
- A purple lighting of Seoul’s landmarks, such as the City Hall, the Lotte World Tower, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and several bridges.
- A postal service issuing stamps marking the anniversary.
- A digital display of congratulatory messages for BTS throughout the city.
- A map of key BTS-related locations, such as where they performed or filmed music videos.
BTS is also collaborating with Spotify to launch an interactive feature called My Top 5: BTS Songs, which allows fans to rank their favorite BTS songs and share them with others. Fans can also enjoy various content and playlists on Spotify that celebrate BTS’ music and achievements.
The Future of BTS:
BTS has come a long way since its debut in 2013. They have overcome many obstacles and challenges, and have grown as artists and individuals. They have also inspired and touched millions of people around the world with their music and message. They have shown that nothing is impossible with passion, hard work, and teamwork.
As they enter their 10th year together, BTS is not slowing down or resting on their laurels. They are still hungry for more challenges and opportunities and are always striving to improve themselves and their music. They are also looking forward to meeting their fans in person again, once the pandemic situation improves.
BTS has already made history, but they are not done yet. They still have many dreams and goals to achieve, and many stories to tell. They are ready to embark on a new chapter of their journey, and they invite their fans to join them along the way.
FAQs about BTS:
Here are some possible FAQs about BTS:
Q: Who is BTS?
A: BTS is a seven-member K-pop boy band that debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment. The members are RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook. They are known for their diverse musical style, powerful rap lyrics, impressive vocals and dance skills, and positive messages. They have achieved global success and popularity, breaking records and barriers in the music industry. They have also won numerous awards and honors, such as Grammy nominations, Billboard awards, and UNICEF ambassadors.
Q: What does BTS stand for?
A: BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan, which means Bulletproof Boy Scouts in Korean. It signifies their determination to protect their values and music from criticism and prejudice. They also have an alternative English name, Beyond The Scene, which means they are always moving forward and pursuing their dreams.
Q: What is K-pop?
A: K-pop is a genre of popular music that originated in South Korea. It is characterized by catchy melodies, dance choreography, colorful visuals, and diverse influences from other genres and cultures. K-pop artists often train for years under entertainment agencies before debuting as groups or soloists. K-pop has become a global phenomenon, attracting fans from different countries and backgrounds.
Q: How many albums does BTS have?
A: BTS has released nine studio albums, six compilation albums, two reissues, one single album, one soundtrack album, one remix album, and one live album. Their latest studio album is BE (Deluxe Edition), which was released in November 2020.
Q: What are some of BTS’s most popular songs?
A: Some of BTS’s most popular songs include “Dynamite”, “Butter”, “Permission to Dance”, “Life Goes On”, “Boy With Luv”, “Fake Love”, “DNA”, “Blood Sweat & Tears”, “Fire”, “I Need U”, “Spring Day”, “Mic Drop”, and “Idol”.
Q: What is ARMY?
A: ARMY is the official fandom name of BTS. It stands for Adorable Representative M.C for Youth. It also means that BTS and their fans will always be together like an army. ARMY is known for its love and support for BTS, as well as its social media presence, charity work, and creativity.
Q: How can I contact BTS or their agency?
A: You can contact BTS or their agency through the following ways:
- Email: bighit@ibighit.com
- Phone: +82-2-3444-0105
- Fax: +82-2-3444-0106
- Address: Big Hit Entertainment Co., Ltd., 13F Apgujeong-ro 79-gil 30 (Dosan-daero 16-gil 12), Gangnam-gu Seoul Republic of Korea (06040)
- Fan mail address: To BTS / Big Hit Entertainment Co., Ltd., Yangjin Plaza 5F, 5 Hakdong-ro 30-gil, Gangnam-gu Seoul Republic of Korea (06104)
- Social media accounts:
- Twitter: @BTS_twt (official account), @bts_bighit (official account), @bts_official_jp (Japanese official account)
- Instagram: @bts.bighitofficial (official account)
- Facebook: @bangtan.official (official page)
- YouTube: BANGTANTV (official channel), ibighit (official channel), BANGTAN JAPAN OFFICIAL (Japanese official channel)
- Weverse: BTS (official fan community)
- V LIVE: BTS (official channel)
- TikTok: @bts_official_bighit (official account)
- Spotify: BTS (official artist profile)
- Apple Music: BTS (official artist profile)
Happy 10th anniversary, BTS! Thank you for your music and your love. We look forward to seeing what you have in store for us in the future. You are truly a once-in-a-lifetime group.