10 years of BTS
The members and career highlights of South Korea's most successful K-pop band
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Since their debut in the music industry in 2013, BTS have quickly become one of K-pop's greatest success stories.
As of 2023, they were the best-selling artist in South Korean history, having sold more than 40 million albums.
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BTS performing at the 2020 MTV VMAs. Reuters
BTS performing at the 2020 MTV VMAs. Reuters
RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook are celebrating the 10th anniversary as a band on June 13.
In that time, they have amassed a fiercely loyal international fan base, known as Army, made up of tens of millions of people of all ages.
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Fans wait in Rockefeller Plaza as BTS visit the Today Show in New York City. AFP
Fans wait in Rockefeller Plaza as BTS visit the Today Show in New York City. AFP
Last year, the group announced they would go on a break while their members completed mandatory military service - but they are scheduled to reunite in 2025.
To mark 10 years of BTS, The National takes a closer look at the band and ten of their career milestones.
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RM has pursued a solo career in tandem with his activities as part of the group since releasing his first mixtape, RM, in 2015. Three years later, he released another called Mono, which made it into the US Billboard 200 charts and peaked at number 26.
In 2022, he released his first official studio album, Indigo. His album explores the dark side of being in the public eye and serves as an archive of his late 20s. It was released a few months after the band announced their temporary break.
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RM performs in Las Vegas. Photo: Bight Music
RM performs in Las Vegas. Photo: Bight Music
“I don’t know what to do right now – I just made some album and this is me. I’m just figuring it out,” he said in an interview with NME in December.
Whatever comes next, RM said he is grateful for his success so far.
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A mural depicting RM in Goyang, north-west of Seoul. AFP
A mural depicting RM in Goyang, north-west of Seoul. AFP
Asked by Pharrell Williams for Rolling Stone about his fan base in November, Kim said: “They brought us from just a small city in [South] Korea all the way back to the heart of this music industry, Las Vegas, LA, New York.
“Me having an interview with Pharrell, it could [only] happen because of fans all over the world. I’m just always grateful and I don’t want to disappoint them.”
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Lead vocalist V has been praised for his ability to convey emotion through singing.
In 2018, he released his first full solo track Intro: Singularity, in which he displayed his vocal range and emotive delivery, on the BTS album Love Yourself: Tear. In 2021, his sang Christmas Tree for a show called Our Beloved Summer, which made it into the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
V will continue to explore his solo career with a new album expected in 2023.
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V attends the 2018 Melon Music Awards at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. Getty
V attends the 2018 Melon Music Awards at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. Getty
“I feel like I want to be as objective as I can be with myself when it comes to the songs I make,” he said during an interview with Weverse magazine in June.
He has also explored other artistic outlets, including acting and photography, further expanding his creative pursuits. He earned a supporting role in the South Korean drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth in 2016.
On his fans, V said during the Weverse interview: "I want to be Army's partner, their best friend, the friend who’s always by their side when we’re not on stage.
"They’re just, well, friends I would hate to lose. Friends who seriously give me strength whenever they’re around. Sometimes you find friends like that in life. It’s like that with the other members and I have other friends who I can share my feelings with. And I have Army. So I can’t help but do whatever I can do to make those people smile and make them feel happy."
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Jimin’s solo debut album Face was released in March and peaked on the Billboard 200 at number two, making it the highest-charting album by a South Korean solo musician. He also sold more than one million copies of the album worldwide in 24 hours, which set a new for record for the country, according to Forbes.
In 2019, he was the first member to have his solo track Serendipity receive more than 100 million views on YouTube. He has found further success with follow-up solo songs Lie and Filter, also released under BTS albums, that have charted globally.
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RM and Jimin pose at the press conference for the release of the BTS album 'BE (Deluxe Edition)' in Seoul in November 2020. Getty
RM and Jimin pose at the press conference for the release of the BTS album 'BE (Deluxe Edition)' in Seoul in November 2020. Getty
"There are a lot of things I want to say and there are a lot of feelings that I want to convey but as each and every year passes by, even though these are the same words ... the more the years go by, the more the weight of simple phrases like 'thank you, I am sorry, I love you' become even heavier. But even then, there is nothing except these phrases that I can express through words,” Jimin said in a message to his fans in Weverse in 2022.
"What kind of memories are we going to make in future? What kind of things will happen? What kind of moments will make me cry and laugh? I am really looking forward to those [moments]. I'm telling you in the words that are not [being said lightly]. We want to be together with you guys for as long as possible.”
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Jin has co-written and released three solo tracks with BTS, Awake in 2016, Epiphany in 2018 and Moon in 2020. Each appeared on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart.
In November, he released his first official solo single called The Astronaut. The track was co-written by Coldplay and is dedicated to Army and his appreciation and gratitude towards them.
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Jin in Seoul in May 2021. AP
Jin in Seoul in May 2021. AP
“The Astronaut talks about an astronaut, who accidentally lands on Earth but decides to settle down to stay with his loved ones: Army. Anyone can face an unexpected situation just like the astronaut in the song. I believe if I go with the flow even in those unexpected situations, I would get closer to the desired destination one day,” he said in an interview with MTV in October.
Speaking to Weverse in June 2022, he spoke of how lucky he felt to be a part of the band and to have such a strong fan base.
“They say there aren’t usually too many times where people can find happiness in the work they do in an office. But I realise I find happiness in my work,” he said.
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A fan attends a BTS concert at Staples Centre in LA in 2018. Getty
A fan attends a BTS concert at Staples Centre in LA in 2018. Getty
“I think the reason I was able to put on that big concert in Las Vegas and the one at the Grammys was because the seven of us did it together. In that way, I’m living my life all thanks to Army’s happiness and I have to do those things to ensure Army is satisfied.”
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Before joining as the third member of BTS, J-Hope was part of an underground dance group. His first solo release was the 2015 rap song, 1 Verse, in which he addressed criticism against him. He released his first solo mixtape, named Hope World, in 2018 along with a music video for the lead single Daydream.
In 2019, he collaborated with singer Becky G on a song called Chicken Noodle Soup. The song entered at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100, making him the first BTS member to reach the charts on the Hot 100 as a solo artist.
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J-Hope poses at the release of BTS album 'BE (Deluxe Edition)' in November 2020 in Seoul. Getty
J-Hope poses at the release of BTS album 'BE (Deluxe Edition)' in November 2020 in Seoul. Getty
J-Hope’s solo debut album Jack in the Box was released in July, entering at number 38 on the US Billboard 200 chart. In March, he collaborated with J Cole to release the single On the Street, which made made it to the UK Singles Chart and US Hot 100.
“I wanted to show a different aspect of me, other than the sunny and bright side I have as a member of BTS. I always had a very clear message that I wanted to convey through this album,” he said of his solo work in an interview with Consequence in July. “That’s why I decided to show a darker side of me through this album — maybe the shadow on the other side of the sunny and bright disposition I usually show."
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BTS present the award for Best R&B Album at the 2019 Grammys in LA. AFP
BTS present the award for Best R&B Album at the 2019 Grammys in LA. AFP
On release of his solo album, he reassured fans that his work with BTS was far from over.
“I think we are on the verge of starting the Chapter Two for BTS — and going forward, we will definitely be working on group projects as well as solo projects," he told Variety.
"So I just hope that there’s no misunderstanding about where we are going and what kind of directions we’re taking as a team."
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Suga first released a free eponymous mixtape on SoundCloud in 2016 but decided against releasing it as a commercial studio album. In it, he discusses his struggles with depression and other personal topics.
The same year, he released a self-titled mixtape under the stage name Agust D. He released a second mixtape, D-2, in 2020 before producing his first solo debut album titled D-Day in April 2023.
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The band won Favourite Pop Song, Favourite Duo or Group and Artist of the Year at the 2021 American Music Awards. Reuters
The band won Favourite Pop Song, Favourite Duo or Group and Artist of the Year at the 2021 American Music Awards. Reuters
“The stories that I have to tell as Agust D are heavier than those of Suga, right? I don’t have much energy left in me to continue to tell those heavier stories, because I poured out my soul in this album," he told Rolling Stone in April.
"But after a couple of months, maybe I’ll have some more stories to tell as Agust D, or I can put stuff out as Yoon-gi, or release things as Suga. No one knows what’s possible in the future."
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Fans attend a BTS concert at Staples Centre, LA in 2018. Getty
Fans attend a BTS concert at Staples Centre, LA in 2018. Getty
Speaking to Rolling Stone India in November 2020, he said: “Hearing our fans saying that we changed their lives changes our lives in turn. We got to know about the weight that our words and music carry and we’re truly thankful for that. We’ve realised that despite our love for music, the most important thing about this job is to have people who listen to you. We thank our fans for listening to our messages and music."
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Jungkook made his solo debut on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 2022 with the song Stay Alive, included on the soundtrack for BTS webtoon 7Fates: Chakho.
He later released the song Dreamers for the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, performing with Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi at the opening ceremony. He is expected to release his debut solo album in 2023.
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Jungkook performs with Fahad Al Kubaisi at the opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. Getty
Jungkook performs with Fahad Al Kubaisi at the opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. Getty
“I have realistic as well as idealistic goals. I used to be greedy and did what I wanted to do without giving it much thought,” he said in an interview with Vogue Singapore in December 2021. “But the way one thinks changes over time, as does life in general, and relationships, too. These days, I’m more realistic. What I need to do is more important than what I want to do.”
Speaking about the importance of the BTS fan base, he said: “I’m just someone who loves to sing and dance but Army is achieving greater things for us."
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Members of BTS arrive on the red carpet for K-Con 2014. AFP
Members of BTS arrive on the red carpet for K-Con 2014. AFP
“I can’t thank them enough for their support for us but they’re also doing such wonderful things. I’m deeply moved by Army, which started as a group of BTS supporters but has evolved into a real force for good. I’m inspired by them.
“It seemed there was nothing special I could do. I’ve come to the conclusion that being good at my job, as I’ve been doing, is what I can do for Army.”
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Top 10 career highlights of BTS
December 31, 2017
BTS perform on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve
The group are invited to perform on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve programme, becoming the first K-pop act to do so and the second South Korean act since Psy to appear. They take to the stage for DNA and Mic Drop, which highlights their appeal in the US.
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BTS perform at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on December 31, 2017. Getty
BTS perform at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on December 31, 2017. Getty
May 18, 2018
No 1 on Billboard 200 chart
BTS become the first K-pop act to reach number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with their album Love Yourself: Tear. The achievement marks a historic moment for K-pop. Since then, the band has topped the Billboard 200 charts with their other albums, consolidating their global success.
June 1, 2019
BTS sell out Wembley Stadium ... twice
BTS make history as the first South Korean act to perform at London's Wembley Stadium to a sell-out crowd of 60,000. Tickets for the show sell out in only 90 minutes, which prompts the band to add a second date that also sells out.
August 22, 2020
Most-viewed YouTube video in 24 hours
Among their many records for their song Dynamite, the group receives a staggering 101 million views for the music video on YouTube within 24 hours, setting a new record for the most views in the duration of one day. As of June, the video had 1.7 billion views.
March 15, 2021
First Grammy nomination
BTS become the first K-pop group to be nominated for a Grammy in 2021. They are nominated in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category for their song Dynamite. Although they do not win, this marks a significant milestone in their careers.
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BTS pose on the Grammys red carpet in Las Vegas in April 2022. Reuters
BTS pose on the Grammys red carpet in Las Vegas in April 2022. Reuters
September 20, 2021
Performance at the United Nations
The band performs Permission to Dance at the UN headquarters in New York after giving a seven-minute speech that discusses vaccines, young people and the Earth's well-being. The music video features the members dancing and singing from the General Assembly hall to the garden overlooking the East River. As of June, it had more than 82 million views.
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BTS attend the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in September 2018. AP
BTS attend the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in September 2018. AP
November 20, 2021
Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards
The group win their first Artist of the Year award at the AMAs, beating artists including Ariana Grande, Drake and Taylor Swift. The award, voted for by fans, is considered the most prestigious at the event.
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Coldplay and BTS perform at the Annual American Music Awards in LA in 2021. Reuters
Coldplay and BTS perform at the Annual American Music Awards in LA in 2021. Reuters
May 31, 2022
White House appearance
US President Joe Biden invites BTS to the White House, making them the first K-pop group to visit. They are asked to address important topics such as anti-Asian hate crimes and inclusivity. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre calls the band "youth ambassadors who spread a message of hope and positivity across the world".
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K-pop band BTS meet President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House. Photo: BTS Twitter
K-pop band BTS meet President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House. Photo: BTS Twitter
March 10, 2023
Most streamed male group on Spotify
BTS achieve a milestone of 31 billion streams, which is almost twice the 16.3 billion streams they previously reached in April 2021 on Spotify - surpassing their own record. Their top played songs on Spotify were Dynamite, My Universe, Butter and Boy with Luv.
June 9, 2023
Take Two becomes fastest K-pop song to reach No 1 on iTunes
Although BTS are on a hiatus from group activities, they release a special song ahead of their 10th anniversary as a group called Take Two, which refers to the second chapter of the band. The track sets a new record for being the fastest K-pop song to reach number 1 on the US iTunes chart, doing so in one hour and 10 minutes.
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BTS attends the premier for the film 'Epic' in Seoul on July 31, 2013. Getty
BTS attends the premier for the film 'Epic' in Seoul on July 31, 2013. Getty
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BTS arrives for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. AFP
BTS arrives for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. AFP
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BTS performs onstage during the KIIS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball on December 9. 2019. AFP
BTS performs onstage during the KIIS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball on December 9. 2019. AFP
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BTS poses in the press room at the 2017 American Music Awards on November 19, 2017 in LA. Getty
BTS poses in the press room at the 2017 American Music Awards on November 19, 2017 in LA. Getty
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BTS attends a news conference to introduce their new single Butter in Seoul on May 21, 2021. AP
BTS attends a news conference to introduce their new single Butter in Seoul on May 21, 2021. AP
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BTS attends the Korean Culture Convention (K-Con) at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on August 10, 2014. AFP
BTS attends the Korean Culture Convention (K-Con) at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on August 10, 2014. AFP
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BTS at Music Choice in New York City on March 22, 2017. Getty
BTS at Music Choice in New York City on March 22, 2017. Getty
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BTS at the Seoul Music Awards on January 15, 2019. Getty
BTS at the Seoul Music Awards on January 15, 2019. Getty
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BTS arrives at the 2021 American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 21, 2021. Reuters
BTS arrives at the 2021 American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 21, 2021. Reuters
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Fans wait in the Rockefeller plaza on February 21, 2020, as BTS visits the Today Show in New York City. AFP
Fans wait in the Rockefeller plaza on February 21, 2020, as BTS visits the Today Show in New York City. AFP
Words Evelyn Lau and Thoraya Abdullahi
Editor Juman Jarallah
Photo Editor James O'Hara
Design Nick Donaldson
Sub Editor Neil Macdonald
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