BTS 

(Korean: 방탄소년단; RR: Bangtan Sonyeondan), also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a

seven-member South Korean boy band that was formed in 2010 and debuted in 2013 under Big Hit
Entertainment.[4] The septet—composed of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—co-
writes and co-produces much of their own output. Originally a hip hop group, their musical style has
evolved to include a wide range of genres. Their lyrics, often focused on personal and social
commentary, touch on the themes of mental health, troubles of school-age youth and coming of age,
loss, the journey towards loving oneself, and individualism. Their work also often references
literature and psychological concepts and includes an alternative universe storyline.
After debuting in 2013 with their single album 2 Cool 4 Skool, BTS released their first Korean-
language studio album, Dark & Wild, and Japanese-language studio album, Wake Up, in 2014. The
group's second Korean studio album, Wings (2016), was their first to sell one million copies in South
Korea. By 2017, BTS crossed into the global music market, leading the Korean Wave into the United
States and breaking numerous sales records. They became the first Korean group to receive a
certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for their single "Mic Drop", as
well as the first Korean act to top the US Billboard 200 chart with their studio album Love Yourself:
Tear (2018). BTS also became the fastest group since the Beatles to earn four US number-one
albums, doing so in less than two years, and Love Yourself: Answer (2018) was the first Korean
album certified platinum by the RIAA. In 2020, BTS became the first all-South Korean act to reach
number one on the Billboard Global 200 and US Billboard Hot 100 with their Grammy-nominated
single "Dynamite". Their follow-up releases "Savage Love", "Life Goes On", "Butter", and
"Permission to Dance" made BTS the fastest act to accumulate five US number-one singles
since Michael Jackson.
Having sold over 20 million albums on the Gaon Music Chart, BTS is the best-selling artist in South
Korean history and holds the best-selling album in South Korea with Map of the Soul: 7. They are
the first Asian and non-English speaking act to be named IFPI Global Recording Artist of the
Year (2020), to chart on Billboard's Top Touring Artists of the 2010s (placing at number 45), and to
headline and sell out Wembley Stadium and Rose Bowl Stadium (Love Yourself World Tour in
2019). Featured on Time's international cover as "Next Generation Leaders" and dubbed "Princes of
Pop", BTS has also appeared on the magazine's lists of the 25 most influential people on the
internet (2017–2019) and the 100 most influential people in the world (2019). The group's numerous
accolades include six American Music Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, 24 Golden Disk
Awards, and nominations for a Grammy Award and a Brit Award. Outside of music, they partnered
with UNICEF to establish the Love Myself anti-violence campaign, addressed the United
Nations 73rd and 75th General Assemblies, and became the youngest ever recipients of the Order
of Cultural Merit from the President of South Korea due to their contributions in spreading Korean
culture and language.

Contents

 1Name
 2Career
o 2.12010–2014: Formation and early years
o 2.22014–2017: Mainstream and international breakthrough
 2.2.1Moderate success and first concert tour
 2.2.2Mainstream breakthrough and commercial success
 2.2.3International expansion and collaborations
o 2.32018–2020: Continued worldwide success
 2.3.1Worldwide recognition and Love Yourself album series
 2.3.2Map of the Soul: Persona, stadium world tour and BTS World
  2.3.3Map of the Soul: 7, "Dynamite" and  Be
o 2.42021–present: BTS, the Best, "Butter" and "Permission to Dance"
 3Artistry
o 3.1Influences
o 3.2Musical style
o 3.3Lyrical themes
 4Legacy and cultural impact
o 4.1Legacy
o 4.2Cultural impact
 5Awards and achievements
 6Commercial influence and other ventures
o 6.1Commercial influence
o 6.2Endorsements
o 6.3Philanthropy
o 6.4BTS Universe
 7Members
 8Discography
 9Filmography
 10Concert tours
 11References
 12External links

Name
The group's name, BTS, stands for the Korean expression Bangtan Sonyeondan (Korean: 방탄소년
단; Hanja: 防彈少年團), literally meaning "Bulletproof Boy Scouts". According to member J-Hope, the
name signifies the group's desire "to block out stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations that aim on
adolescents like bullets".[5][6] In Japan, they are known as Bōdan Shōnendan (防弾少年団), which
translates similarly.[7] In July 2017, BTS announced that their name would also stand for "Beyond the
Scene" as part of their new brand identity.[8] This extended their name to mean "growing youth BTS
who is going beyond the realities they are facing, and going forward."[9]

Career

BTS in 2013 performing at the Incheon Music Center

2010–2014: Formation and early years

BTS began its formation in 2010 after Big Hit Entertainment CEO Bang Si-hyuk met with group
leader RM and was impressed with his rapping.[10] BTS was originally supposed to be a hip
hop group similar to YG Entertainment's 1TYM,[11] but between their initial formation and their debut,
Bang Si-hyuk decided that the contemporary youth needed instead "a hero who can lend them a
shoulder to lean on, even without speaking a single word".[12] The group was meant to debut in 2011
and featured on several tracks by artists such as 2AM and Lee Seung-gi before their debut was
postponed and the group was reorganized into a more traditional idol group.[13] The lineup was then
finalized with Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook in 2012 when Jin, the oldest member
of the group, was twenty-years-old. Six months prior to their debut, they began to gain attention for
their presence on various social media websites, as well as song covers
on YouTube and SoundCloud.[14][15]
We started to tell the stories that people wanted to hear and were ready to hear, stories that other people could not or would not
tell. We said what other people were feeling—like pain, anxieties and worries. That was our goal, to create this empathy that
people can relate to.
 —Suga[16]

On June 12, 2013, BTS released their debut single album 2 Cool 4 Skool, the first installment of their
"school trilogy" series, simultaneously with its lead single "No More Dream", which peaked at
number 124 in Korea before quickly falling off the charts.[17][18] While the album peaked at number five
in South Korea and eventually sold over 145,000 copies,[19] it was not a major hit, selling only 24,000
copies in 2013.[20] Their subsequent single "We Are Bulletproof Pt. 2" failed to chart. In 2 Cool 4
Skool, BTS employed an old-school hip-hop sound with scratches from the 1980s–90s and
excessively fierce visuals.[21] BTS have stated that from their inception, they were convinced that
telling their story was the only way for the younger generation to relate to their music.[22] The lyrics of
the album primarily reflected on the misunderstanding and prejudice towards them, criticism of the
society that diminishes their dreams, and their anxiety and determination towards their future.
[21]
 During the production of the album, Suga and RM rewrote the lyrics of "No More Dream" more
than 20 times.[22] The single album's release was followed by several appearances on Korean music
shows.[23][24] Despite being unpolished, critics say these early live performances demonstrated BTS'
potential with their intense and charismatic stage presence.[23] Expanding their endeavors to Japan,
"No More Dream" was later re-recorded in Japanese and released in June 2014.[25]
In September 2013, BTS released the second part to their "school trilogy," the extended play O!
RUL8,2?, along with its single "N.O," which peaked at number 92 in Korea.[26] The EP peaked at
number four in Korea and has sold over 160,000 copies by 2018, including 34,000 copies in its
release year.[27] Musically, BTS did not fundamentally change their sound as compared with 2 Cool 4
Skool, utilizing fiery rapping along with trap beats, brass, and soulful melodies. Lyrically, the EP
expanded on the theme of dreams and happiness, revealing their frustration under the harsh Korean
education system and their determination to confront the struggle of proving themselves.[28] Despite
several performances on Korean music shows, the single quickly fell off the charts.[29] That same
month, BTS starred in their own variety show, SBS MTV's Rookie King Channel Bangtan, based on
a fake broadcast station, "Channel Bangtan", through which members parodied variety shows such
as VJ Special Forces and MasterChef Korea.[30] At the end of the year, BTS was recognized with
several New Artist of the Year awards, including the 5th Melon Music Awards, 28th Golden Disc
Awards and the 23rd Seoul Music Awards.[31]

2014–2017: Mainstream and international breakthrough

Moderate success and first concert tour
Exterior of the nightclub Troubadour (photo taken 2006) where BTS held their first concert in the United
States for free

The last act of their "school trilogy", the EP Skool Luv Affair,[4] was released in January 2014 and
topped the Gaon Album Chart, selling 100,000 copies in 2014 and over 250,000 copies by 2018.[32] It
also marked BTS' first appearance on Billboard's World Albums Chart, peaking at number three.[4]
[33]
 The album was supported by the singles "Boy in Luv" (Korean: 상남자; RR: Sang-namja) and
"Just One Day" (Korean: 하루만; RR: Haruman), which peaked at number 45 and number 149 in
Korea, respectively.[34] While Skool Luv Affair musically retained much of their hip-hop influences with
the incorporation of R&B and hard rock, the album coincided with a thematic shift from dreams and
happiness to love, focusing on school-age and youthful love.[35] Following Skool Luv Affair's release,
BTS made several appearances on Korean music shows and held their first fan meeting that March
with an audience of 3,000 fans in Seoul.[36][37] That July, BTS held their first concert in the United
States in West Hollywood for free to an audience of 200 fans.[38] In August, the group also made their
first appearance at KCON in Los Angeles.[39]
In August 2014, BTS released their first Korean studio album, Dark & Wild, which peaked at number
two in Korea and sold over 200,000 copies by 2017.[40] It was supported by two singles: "Danger" and
"War of Hormone" (Korean: 호르몬 전쟁; RR: Horeumon Jeonjaeng), which peaked at number 58
and number 173 in Korea, respectively.[41] The album served as a narrative extension of the "school
trilogy" and a transition into their next series. Musically, the album fused the grungy electric guitar
sounds of rock within the framework of hip-hop and continued to expand their sound towards R&B.
The central theme of the album's lyrics focused on expressing the sentiments of maturing, youthful
desires, and impatience for romance.[42] During production of the album, BTS recorded their single
"Danger" in a makeshift studio in a garage in Los Angeles.[43] Following several appearances on
Korean music shows,[44] BTS embarked on their first concert tour, 2014 BTS Live Trilogy Episode II:
The Red Bullet, from October to December, held in various halls and theaters in six cities:
Seoul, Kobe, Tokyo, Manila, Singapore, and Bangkok.[45]
Their first Japanese studio album, Wake Up (2014), released that December, peaked at number
three on the weekly Oricon Albums Chart and sold 28,000 copies.[46] Along with re-recorded
Japanese versions of older songs, it also contained the original tracks "Wake Up" and "The
Stars."[47] In support of the album, BTS held their 1st Japan Tour 2015 Wake Up: Open Your Eyes in
February 2015 to an audience of 25,000 fans in four cities.[48] After ending their Japan tour, BTS held
their second solo concert in Korea, BTS Live Trilogy Episode I: BTS Begins, in March to a crowd of
6,500 fans.[49]
Mainstream breakthrough and commercial success
Shifting their sound and image from solely aggressive, masculine hip hop to more diverse styles,
[50]
 BTS wanted to express the beauty and anxiousness of "youth" and settled on the title of "花樣年
華" (Korean: 화양연화; RR: Hwayangyeonhwa), loosely interpreted to define "youth" as "the most
beautiful moment in life."[51] Their third EP, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1 (March 2015),
explored the growth and emotional agony of youth as well as its playful and uplifting sides.
[50]
 Fuse included it as the only Korean album on their list of the "27 Best Albums of 2015 So
Far."[52] The EP has sold over 415,000 copies as of 2018.[53] Its lead single "I Need U" was BTS' first
top five hit in Korea[54] and garnered BTS a first ever music show win on SBS MTV's The Show.
[55]
 While its second single, "Dope (Korean: 쩔어; RR: Jjeoreo)", only peaked at number 44 in Korea,
[56]
 it peaked at number three on Billboard's World Digital Songs Chart[57] and became their first music
video to accrue over 100 million views on YouTube in October.[58] The group began the world tour
extension of their Red Bullet Tour in June, titled 2015 Live Trilogy Episode II: The Red Bullet, visiting
cities throughout Asia, Oceania, North America, and Latin America.[45] Their fourth Japanese single,
"For You", was released on June 17 to celebrate the first anniversary of their Japanese debut and
topped Oricon's daily chart, selling over 42,000 copies on its first day.[59] BTS later performed at
Japan's Summer Sonic Festival on August 15 and 16.[60][61]
In November, BTS commenced their third concert tour, 2015 BTS LIVE "The Most Beautiful Moment
in Life: On Stage", debuting their new song and the lead single from their fourth EP The Most
Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2, "Run", during the Seoul dates.[62] Thematically, the EP focused more
on the serious and speculative aspects of youth, touching on the pursuit of success, loneliness,
affection for their origins, and the suffering of the younger generation due to unfavorable conditions
in current society. Critically, it was praised as the successful merging of the style of The Most
Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1 with BTS' initial identity.[63] The album topped the weekly Gaon
Album and Billboard World Albums charts and BTS became the first K-pop act to remain atop the
latter for multiple weeks.[64][65] It also marked their first appearance on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking
at number 171 with over 5,000 copies.[66] BTS were awarded Best World Performer at the 17th Mnet
Asian Music Awards in recognition of their international fan base.

BTS performing at KCON France in Paris on June 2, 2016

Their first Korean compilation album and the finale to their "youth series", The Most Beautiful
Moment in Life: Young Forever, was released in May 2016. It included three new singles: the top 40
hit "Epilogue: Young Forever", the top 10 hit "Fire" (Korean: 불타오르네; RR: Bultaoreune), and the
top 20 hit "Save Me".[67][68] The album topped Gaon Weekly Chart in Korea for two consecutive weeks
and peaked at number 107 on the U.S. Billboard 200.[69][70][71] The Most Beautiful Moment in Life:
Young Forever later won BTS' first major Korean award for Album of the Year at the 8th Melon
Music Awards.[72] BTS embarked on their Asia tour extension, 2016 BTS LIVE "The Most Beautiful
Moment in Life On Stage: Epilogue", from May to August, visiting 10 cities and performing to
144,000 fans.[73] During their tour, BTS held a landmark two-day concert at the Olympic Gymnastics
Arena in Seoul in May,[74] and performed as first time headliners at both U.S. KCON shows held that
year in Newark (June) and Los Angeles (July), to sold-out audiences.[75][76] In line with their other
successes, they became the first K-pop group to receive their own Twitter emoji in May 2016.[77]
BTS win their first major Korean award for Album of the Year at the 8th Melon Music Awards on November 19,
2016.

In September 2016, BTS released their second Japanese studio album Youth.[78] It sold over 44,000
copies on its first day of release and peaked at number one in Japan.[79] Pre-orders for their second
Korean studio album Wings, released in October 2016, accumulated over 500,000 copies within the
first week.[80] Wings combined the themes of youth presented in their previous "youth series" with
temptation and adversity and, for the first time as a major group effort, included seven solo tracks
that demonstrated each member's individual strengths as independent musicians.[81] The album was
generally well received by critics, with Rolling Stone naming it "one of the most conceptually and
sonically ambitious pop albums of 2016,"[82] while Fuse praised the "vulnerable and honest song
material" and diverse tracks.[83] The lead single "Blood Sweat & Tears" achieved a music chart "all-
kill" in South Korea[84] and became their first number one hit on the weekly Gaon Digital Chart.[85] Its
music video gained over 6 million views within 24 hours, breaking the previous record held on
YouTube for the highest number of views of a K-pop group music video within 24 hours.
[86]
 Wings opened at number 26 on the U.S. Billboard 200, the highest chart ranking ever for a K-pop
album,[87] and BTS became the first Korean group to top the Billboard Social 50 chart that month.[88] It
was their first "million seller" album,[89] moving over 1.5 million copies in South Korea that year and
became the best-selling album in Gaon Album Chart history at the time.[90] BTS were the first artist
not from a "Big Three" entertainment company (SM, YG and JYP) to win Artist of the Year at the
18th Mnet Asian Music Awards in December.[91][92]
International expansion and collaborations
In February 2017, BTS released the repackaged edition of Wings (2016), entitled You Never Walk
Alone. Pre-orders of the repackage reached over 700,000 copies, breaking the record for most
albums sold in a month.[93][94] The repackage included an additional four tracks that offered
consolation and encouragement to its listeners.[95] Its lead single, "Spring Day" (Korean: 봄날;
RR: Bomnal) met critical praise as "an intelligent, compelling and elegantly restrained study of loss
and longing" that "deliberately avoids cliché pomp and drama" by Dazed Digital.[96] Embodying
nostalgia and sorrow, it opened a new chapter in BTS' aesthetics and lyricism and attracted fans
across generational boundaries.[81] Upon release, "Spring Day" topped eight of the major South
Korean online music charts, as well as Gaon,[97][98] and crashed Melon's digital chart due to the high
influx of user traffic.[99] It also entered the U.S. Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart at
number 15 with "zero promotions."[100] As evidence of its staying power, "Spring Day" is the longest-
charting song on Melon to date.[101] "Spring Day" later won Best Song of the Year at the 9th Melon
Music Awards.[102][103]
BTS at their press conference in Seoul, South Korea after winning Top Social Artist at the 24th Billboard Music
Awards on May 29, 2017

In conjunction with the release of You Never Walk Alone, BTS commenced their second world
tour, 2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour, from February to December. The tour
visited 12 countries including Brazil, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and the United States and
gathered 550,000 fans.[104] On the tour, BTS began to play progressively larger venues, moving from
halls into arenas and domes. Tickets for the North American leg sold out within minutes and two
additional shows were added due to high demand, making BTS the first K-pop act to sell out arenas
in the United States.[105][106] After completing their North American leg, BTS attended the
24th Billboard Music Awards in May and won Top Social Artist, becoming the first Korean group
awarded a Billboard Music Award.[107]
Celebrating Korean music icon Seo Taiji's 25th anniversary as a part of his anniversary project
"Time: Traveler", BTS released a remake of Seo Taiji's 1995 classic "Come Back Home" in July
2017, reworking the sound and lyrics to similar sentiments toward societal change that Seo Taiji
argued for in his songs.[108] BTS was later invited by Seo Taiji to perform as backup vocalists and
dancers for eight songs in his Seoul Olympic Stadium concert held early September. During the
concert, Seo Taiji acknowledged BTS' thematic similarities to his music and recognized the group as
his musical successors, declaring, "This is your generation now. Show them."[109][110]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTS