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

seven-member South Korean boy band formed in Seoul in 2010.[3] The septet co-writes and

produces much of their 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, loss, the journey towards loving oneself, and
individualism. Their work features references to literature and psychological concepts and includes
an alternative universe storyline. The group have staged several world tours.
The group initially formed as teenagers under Big Hit Entertainment and released their debut single
album, 2 Cool 4 Skool (2013). Subsequent work such as their first U.S. Billboard 200 entries The
Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2 (2015), The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young
Forever (2016), and Wings (2016) helped establish BTS' reputation as a socially conscious
group. Wings became BTS' first album to sell one million copies in South Korea. By 2017, BTS
crossed into the international music market, leading the Korean Wave into the United States and
breaking numerous sales records, becoming the first Korean group to receive a certification from
the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for their single "Mic Drop". The band is the
first Korean act to top the Billboard 200 with their studio album Love Yourself: Tear (2018) and have
since hit the top of the U.S. charts with their albums Love Yourself: Answer (2018), Map of the Soul:
Persona (2019) and Map of the Soul: 7 (2020), making BTS the fastest group since the Beatles to
earn four number one albums in less than two years. Love Yourself: Answer also broke South
Korea's Gaon Album Chart's all-time monthly record previously set by Love Yourself: Tear and
became the first Korean album certified Platinum in the United States.
According to the Gaon Music Chart, BTS has sold sixteen million albums domestically in physical
sales and is the best-selling artist to debut in the 2010s.[4] They hold the best-selling album in Korean
history with Map of the Soul: 7. BTS were the second best-selling artists of 2018 worldwide
according to the IFPI's Global Artist Chart, as well as the only non-English speaking artist to enter
the chart. The group has won Top Social Artist three years in a row and Top Duo/Group at
the 26th Billboard Music Awards. Featured on Time's international cover as "Next Generation
Leaders", BTS has appeared in the magazine's 25 most influential people on the internet (2017–
2019) and Time's 100 most influential people in the world (2019), with the outlet giving them the
nickname "Princes of Pop". Forbes Korea named BTS the most influential celebrities of Korea in
2018, and BTS ranked 43rd in the Forbes Celebrity 100 (2019) as one of the world's top-earning
celebrities. BTS are ranked #4 of Billboard's Top Social Artist of the 2010s, and are the highest
group on the list. During their Love Yourself World Tour, BTS became the first Asian and first non-
English speaking act to headline and sell out Wembley Stadium; and broke the record for the single
highest-grossing engagement in Rose Bowl Stadium history. Billboard ranked BTS at #45 on their
Top Touring Artists of the 2010s list, being the highest-ranked Asian as well as the only non-English
speaking act on the list. As of 2019, BTS are purportedly worth more than $4.65 billion to South
Korea's economy each year, or 0.3 percent of the country's GDP. BTS attracted one in every 13
foreign tourists that visited South Korea and were cited as one of the key acts boosting global music
sales to $19 billion in 2018.
Following the establishment of their Love Myself anti-violence campaign in partnership with UNICEF,
BTS addressed the United Nations 73rd General Assembly 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 2.22014–2015: Moderate success and first concert tour
o 2.32015–2016: Mainstream breakthrough and commercial success
o 2.42017: International expansion and collaborations
o 2.52018: Worldwide recognition
o 2.62019:  Map of the Soul: Persona, stadium world tour and BTS World
o 2.72020: Map of the Soul: 7 and second stadium world tour
 3Artistry
o 3.1Influences
o 3.2Music
o 3.3Lyrics and themes
 4Impact and influence
 5Awards and achievements
 6Other ventures
o 6.1Endorsements
o 6.2Philanthropy
o 6.3BTS Universe
o 6.4Connect, BTS
o 6.5Learn Korean with BTS
 7Members
 8Discography
 9Tours and concerts
 10Filmography
o 10.1Exhibitions
o 10.2Film
o 10.3Television
o 10.4Online shows
 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
2010–2014: Formation and early years
BTS in 2013 performing at the Incheon Music Center.

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. 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 in 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] From their inception, BTS was 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, 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 to date, 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]

2014–2015: 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 to their "school trilogy", the EP Skool Luv Affair,[32] was released in January 2014 and
topped the Gaon Album Chart, selling 100,000 copies in 2014 and over 250,000 copies overall.[33] It
also marked BTS’ first appearance on Billboard's World Albums Chart, peaking at number three.[32]
[34]
 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.[35] 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.[36] 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.[37][38] That July, BTS held their first concert in the United
States in West Hollywood for free to an audience of 200 fans.[39] In August, the group also made their
first appearance at KCON in Los Angeles.[40]
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 total.[41] 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.[42] 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.[43] During production of the album, BTS recorded their single
"Danger" in a makeshift studio in a garage in Los Angeles.[44] Following several appearances on
Korean music shows,[45] 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.[46]
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.[47] Along with re-recorded
Japanese versions of older songs, it also contained the original tracks "Wake Up" and "The
Stars."[48] 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.[49] 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.[50]

2015–2016: Mainstream breakthrough and commercial success

Shifting their sound and image from solely aggressive, masculine hip hop to more diverse styles,
[51]
 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."[52] 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.
[51]
 Fuse included it as the only Korean album on their list of the "27 Best Albums of 2015 So
Far."[53] The EP has sold over 415,000 copies to date.[54] Its lead single "I Need U" was BTS' first top
five hit in Korea[55] and garnered BTS first ever music show win on SBS MTV's The Show.[56] While its
second single, "Dope (Korean: 쩔어; RR: Jjeoreo)", only peaked at number 44 in Korea,[57] it peaked
at number three on Billboard's World Digital Songs Chart[58] and became their first music video to
accrue over 100 million views on YouTube in October.[59] 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.[46] 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 within its first day.[60] BTS later performed at
Japan's Summer Sonic Festival on August 15 and 16.[61][62]
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.[63] 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.[64] 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.[65][66] It also marked their first appearance on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking
at number 171 with over 5,000 copies.[67] 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".[68][69] The album topped Gaon Weekly Chart in Korea for two consecutive weeks
and peaked at number 107 on the U.S. Billboard 200.[70][71][72] 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.[73] 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.[74] During their tour, BTS held a landmark two-day concert at the Olympic Gymnastics
Arena in Seoul in May,[75] 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.[76][77] In line with their other
successes, they became the first K-pop group to receive their own Twitter emoji in May 2016.[78]
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.[79] It sold over 44,000
copies on its first day of release and peaked at number one in Japan.[80] Pre-orders for their second
Korean studio album Wings, released in October 2016, accumulated over 500,000 copies within the
first week.[81] 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 members' potential and individuality as independent musicians.[82] 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,"[83] while Fuse praised the "vulnerable and honest song
material" and diverse tracks.[84] The lead single "Blood Sweat & Tears" achieved a music chart "all-
kill" in South Korea[85] and became their first number one hit on the weekly Gaon Digital Chart.[86] 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.
[87]
 Wings opened at number 26 on the U.S. Billboard 200, the highest chart ranking ever for a K-pop
album,[88] and BTS became the first Korean group to top the Billboard Social 50 chart that month.[89] It
was their first "million seller" album,[90] 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.[91] 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.[92][93]

2017: International expansion and collaborations