[BTS and 10 Years Together]① Blood, Sweat, and Tears... K-pop's Challenge That Became a New History

Hip-Hop Idol Debuted with a Rebel Image
'Boys Who Shield Teens from Oppression and Prejudice'
Worldview and Storytelling Resonating Globally

Billboard No.1, UN Speech, White House Visit
Building Global Influence Beyond Music

The journey of BTS, who will celebrate their 10th debut anniversary on the 13th, is marked by the significance of being the ‘first’ and the ‘records’ they have achieved and proven. Starting as an idol group known as ‘boys who protect teenagers from oppression and prejudice,’ they have surpassed K-pop myths and the Beatles of the 21st century within a decade, embodying all the epithets that refer to BTS itself. These 10 years of records have become the records of Korean popular culture and a new history.

BTS debut album promotion period.
[Photo by BigHit Music]

Training in Hip-hop in the Homeland... A Hip-hop Idol with a ‘Rebel’ Image

BTS, who debuted in 2013, initially had a hip-hop group concept. Producer Bang Si-hyuk envisioned a hip-hop group centered around leader RM, who was active in underground hip-hop, and named the team Bangtan Sonyeondan, carrying the unique meaning of ‘boys who protect teenagers from oppression and prejudice.’

BigHit Music’s senior producer Pdogg (Kang Hyo-won), who has worked with BTS for a long time, was so passionate about hip-hop that he combined the words Producer and the American hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg’s ‘Dogg’ to create his stage name. Member Suga also has a history of performing under the stage name ‘Gloss’ in the Daegu-based hip-hop crew ‘D Town.’ The BTS full-length album 1st album ‘DARK&WILD (2014),’ which involved lyric work by Pdogg, RM, Suga, and J-Hope, includes the track ‘Hip Hop Phile,’ where they list legendary hip-hop musicians and classic album titles, revealing their deep affection and interest in hip-hop.

Although they emphasized a rebellious image based on hip-hop, BTS gradually expanded their fan base through music that resonates, perfect performances, and friendly communication with fans. Especially, the Mnet reality program ‘American Hustle Life,’ documenting BTS’s trip to the U.S. to learn hip-hop in 2014, showed them living with a 24-hour hip-hop tutor in LA and completing various hip-hop missions, which helped them form a fandom locally and laid the foundation for their rise as a global group.

BTS during the promotion of their 2016 album WINGS.
[Photo by Big Hit Music]

From First Domestic Terrestrial Broadcast No.1 with ‘I Need U’ to First Billboard Entry

The mini-album 3rd release ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life’ in April 2015 marked a turning point in BTS’s activities, shifting their main stage from Korea to the world. With the title track ‘I Need U,’ they recorded their first No.1 on domestic terrestrial music programs, and in November of the same year, with mini-album 4th release ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Part 2,’ they entered the U.S. Billboard main album chart ‘Billboard 200’ at No.171, becoming the first K-pop group from a small to mid-sized agency, excluding major agencies, to appear on the chart.

Since then, Billboard has become BTS’s main stage. After first topping the ‘Billboard 200’ with ‘Love Yourself: Tear’ in 2018, they have placed six albums at No.1 on the ‘Billboard 200’ and maintained six No.1 singles on the Billboard main singles chart ‘Hot 100.’ Recently, member Jimin also achieved No.1 with his solo song ‘Like Crazy.’ BTS is the first K-pop artist to simultaneously hold No.1 on both charts, and their ‘Hot 100’ No.1 record remains unique among K-pop groups.

The fandom ‘ARMY,’ who became passionate supporters and companions of BTS mainly among the millennial generation, began influencing not only Billboard but also global charts. BTS’s 4th full-length album released in February 2020, ‘MAP OF THE SOUL : 7,’ sold over 4 million copies and swept the top spots on album charts in the world’s five major music markets (U.S., Japan, U.K., Germany, France).

Subsequently, BTS demonstrated their influence by being nominated for the U.S.’s largest popular music awards, the ‘Grammy Awards,’ for three consecutive years. In 2021, they won ‘Artist of the Year,’ the grand prize at the ‘American Music Awards,’ one of the three major U.S. popular music awards, firmly establishing themselves at the center of the global music market as K-pop’s top stars.

BTS's RM (center) is speaking in the White House briefing room in Washington DC, USA.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Continuing Their Worldview as Artists with Positive Influence

BTS’s path, which extends beyond mere popularity expansion to continue their worldview and storytelling as a positive influence, has become a footprint in the history of popular culture. Starting with the global campaign ‘LOVE MYSELF’ in collaboration with the Korean Committee for UNICEF, coinciding with the release of mini-album 5th ‘LOVE YOURSELF 承 Her’ in 2017, they appeared as global youth representatives and special speakers at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in September 2018, delivering a message to “love yourself,” which brought great comfort and resonance to youth worldwide.

In May 2021, BTS visited the White House in the U.S. and conveyed their views on anti-Asian hate crimes, inclusion, and diversity to President Joe Biden. At this event, BTS stated, “As Koreans and Asians, we felt it was a matter we must speak about, and we believe there should be many more examples of the specialness that differences bring,” adding, “We are glad to help deliver a positive influence and at the same time feel a great responsibility.”

BTS during their performance in Las Vegas, USA.
[Photo by BigHit Music]

Military Service and Solo Activities, Full Group Activities Expected in 2025

BTS concluded the first act of their group activities last year with the release of the anthology album ‘Proof’ reflecting on nine years of activity on June and the Busan concert in October.

Afterward, the members enlisted in the military one by one. Starting with the eldest Jin in December last year, J-Hope enlisted in April this year to fulfill their national defense duties, and other members have announced plans for sequential enlistment.

Although group activities have paused, BTS members have solidified their own styles and influence through solo activities. Jimin achieved No.1 on the Billboard ‘Hot 100’ through his solo activities, Jungkook performed the 2022 Qatar World Cup OST and dazzled the opening ceremony stage, Suga is conducting a world tour with his solo album, and RM and V are showcasing new sides through TV variety programs. Currently, HYBE expects all BTS members to return as a team in 2025. Worldwide ARMYs are also eagerly awaiting the second act of BTS’s united activities.

Professor Lee Gyu-tak of the Department of Liberal Arts at George Mason University in Korea predicted, “After completing their military service, BTS members will expand their own musical worlds through solo activities that have already gained momentum, while showing their presence as a group through concerts and albums. Just as U2, an Irish group, has maintained their global longevity for over 40 years through albums and tours, BTS will also establish themselves as a long-lasting group by writing their own history.”