BTS: The Boy Band That Changed The Rules

The fruits of hard work will always be rewarded, and never be afraid to start from the bottom and exit the comfort zone is a difficult notion, but a very necessary one when it comes to reaching the top. BTS—whose name stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan, and in English known as Beyond the Scene, is a South-Korean boy band formed by seven members: RM, J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, V, Suga and Jungkook has been the perfect example of this. After being formed in the year 2013 by Bang Si-hyuk under Big Hit Entertainment, BTS carried the South Korean music industry to high levels.

Their 2018-2019 tour was the opening gate to the rest of the world, and from then on, as TIMES writer Raisa Bruner states, they haven't slowed down. Their career and stand in the music industry have been an endless successful uphill climb. With 21 albums as of January 2021 released, 72.5 million album sales, over 20 million physical album sales, phenomenal and astonishing lyrics, sound and music videos has rightfully earned the recognition and admiration of many people from all over the world towards our beloved group. Currently as stated by Billboard’s official Instagram page, BTS’s newest single “Butter” is officially the group’s longest leading No.1 on the Hot 100, holding the top spot for five weeks, named Song of the Summer, which surpassed their single “Dynamite.” which had also been at the top of the chart for weeks. This is just one of the many successes that BTS has earned, and is continuously earning through their ‘Blood, sweat, and tears.’ 

Being the most popular boy band and one of the most popular artists in our modern culture has really reshaped the music and performing industry. Most of the time, people think that in order to make it big in western culture, an artist must certainly cater to western audiences in order to succeed, but BTS has rechanged the way we think of the industry. BTS didn't earn their fame by catering only to western audiences, in fact, RM, the leader of the group, is the only one who speaks fluent English. This is really an important factor because BTS has showed the world that they do not have to go along by any western rules to get recognition and success, or if we embrace our own culture and traditions and use that in our works, then most certainly will cause a greater impact and change on the world rather than changing ourselves and works to cater to a specific audience.

Not only that but BTS’s method of expressing and pouring their passion, love and overall emotions through their works is incredibly meaningful and impactful for whoever listens to their music and follows up with their works. Suga, a member and rapper of BTS told TIMES magazine “ We started to tell 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.” Emotions like these are universal, which creates a deep and unbreakable connection to every person who comes across BTS, causing their music and magnificent works to transcend and break every boundary that language and cultural differences could ever create.

However, there's more to what makes BTS  one of the most wonderful, talented, and humble boy bands of all time. Throughout their career and involvement in the music industry, BTS has created a statement based on one's self-perseverance and love. In order to love others and give our best to others, we must also appreciate who we are as people and allow our own love to be shared with others as well. In many interviews, BTS addresses the importance of mental health and has shown to their fans their pure love by recognizing them as their pillar and support. Based on my experience and my engagement with ARMY, BTS’s fan base, I have seen the reciprocal amount of love from fans to the boys, and the boys to their fans, not just a love that celebrities are ‘ruled’ to have, but a genuine and personal love which has been very touching to see. Knowing that their fans will always have their back, BTS’s rise to the top has been a non-stop adventure with many valuable and memorable moments. 

Since its launch in 2017, the brand has captured the hearts and minds of youths worldwide with its charming designs, unique concept and thoughtful storytelling.

While their music has been a comfort and happiness for many, even those who are not quite involved with the talented group, music isn't where their works stop. BTS has had many completed projects, including their very own line of products involving their own personalized characters called BT21, from the BTS X LINE FRIENDS brand project. “BT21; the brand and its characters were born from a collaborative project between LINE FRIENDS and BTS. Since its launch in 2017, the brand has captured the hearts and minds of youths worldwide with its charming designs, unique concept and thoughtful storytelling.” The characters include KOYA, RJ, SHOOKY, MANG, CHIMMY, TATA, COOKY and VAN. Each character was designed by RM or Namjoon, Jin, Suga or Yoon-gi, J-Hope or Jung Ho-Seok, Jimin, V or Tae-Hyung, and Jungkook. Van was created by LINE FRIENDS designer to represent ARMY. BT21 brand has been very successful as well, especially since a lot of people tend to like the designs a lot when they see them in certain pop culture retail stores and the precious designs and characters spark up their interest which leads them to discover BTS. 

This is not the only successful project, throughout their career, BTS has had many collaborations, fan projects, and documentaries as well. Not only that but they are very involved in donating to charities and are often performing acts of kindness that have inspired their fans to follow in their footsteps. ARMY, BTS’s fanbase had also raised 1 million US dollars for Black Lives Matter and $83,000 for Vamco Typhoon victims.

Another recent collaboration that has quite brought a lot of attention to BTS has been their recent collaboration with Mcdonald’s. The limited-edition BTS X McDonald’s collaboration was released on May 26, 2021, and has been one of the most bought meals on the menu. Fans from all over the world were lining up at their nearest Mcdonald’s to be one of the first to obtain the delicious meal. The meal was made of 10 piece chicken nuggets, medium fries, a drink and two limited editions cajun, and sweet chili sauces chosen by BTS. 

It is undeniable that BTS’s popularity is rapidly growing and even creating a very dominant stance in the music industry and many other industries as well. BTS has shown to every person that reaching the top can be a very fulfilling journey that is filled with ups and downs. They have inspired many artists as well as their fans to never quit and always find ways to make the best out of everyday life while caring for others and our own selves. Of course, BTS’s journey has not been easy, and making it big in countries where cultures are different has certainly led them to face many negative situations, especially becoming victims of racist comments and unfair treatment in the industry. However, they have carried through every negative situation thrown their way while remaining humble and kind, which has taught many of us that even when it seems like our efforts and works don't seem to be giving us the result we want, and when people are constantly looking to bring us down, it is important to keep going because dreams are what pushes us forward, what motivates and inspires others, and what keeps our motivation and passion alive. Even on the hard days, we must keep trying in the hope to make our dreams come true. Like RM once said: ”There are many sad days but rather than sad days, we hope to have better days. That's what makes us live. That's what makes us dream. That's what drives us to desire for something.”