BTS Named 'Entertainer of the Year' by US News Magazine TIME

BTS was selected as the "Entertainer of the Year" by the American current affairs magazine Time.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The group Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) has been selected as the 'Entertainer of the Year' by the American current affairs magazine Time.

On the 10th (local time), Time stated, "BTS is not only the group enjoying the greatest popularity on music charts but has become the biggest band in the world," and praised, "BTS has broken all kinds of records and reached the pinnacle among pop stars."

BTS has risen to the top as the world's best group by consecutively topping the Billboard charts with every song released this year. In August, they became the first Korean artist to top the Billboard 'Hot 100' with their English single 'Dynamite.' In October, they featured on the remix version of Josh 685 and Jason Derulo's 'Savage Love,' which also reached number one on the 'Hot 100.' Last month, BTS's 'Life Goes On,' with almost all lyrics in Korean except the chorus, topped the 'Hot 100.'

'Dynamite' ranked 7th on the 'Best Songs of 2020' lists published by American music media Rolling Stone and Billboard on the 7th and 8th, respectively. 'Dynamite' also ranked 100th on the NPR's Best Songs of the Year list. BTS's fourth full-length album released in February, 'Map of the Soul: 7,' was included in the Best Albums of the Year lists by Rolling Stone (16th) and Billboard (33rd).

Time highly evaluated BTS's unprecedented success during the COVID-19 era by continuously communicating with their fans.

Time noted, "The bond between BTS and their fan club 'ARMY' has deepened," and diagnosed, "During a year of frustration when the world stopped and most other entertainers failed, BTS succeeded."

BTS member J-Hope said in an interview with Time, "I always wanted to be an artist who could give positive energy to people," adding, "That thought harmonized with our sincerity and led us to who we are now." Leader RM said, "I don't know if we have truly gained fame," but added, "One thing is certain: people do not see what BTS from Korea is doing as a kind of syndrome or a one-time phenomenon, and they think 'BTS is okay.'"

With BTS being selected as Time's 'Entertainer of the Year,' there are also expectations that it will positively influence their chances of winning a Grammy Award. On the 24th of last month, BTS became the first Korean popular music artist to be nominated for the 63rd 'Grammy Awards,' the most prestigious music awards in the U.S., in the 'Best Pop Duo/Group Performance' category. The ceremony will be held on January 31 next year.