Overview of BTS
BTS is a South Korean boy band formed by Big Hit Entertainment (HYBE). The band officially debuted on 13 June 2013. BTS expands as Bulletproof Boy Scouts, and the boys are also known as Bangtan Boys and Bangtan Sonyeondan. The group members are RM (leader), Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and JungKook. They walked into the K-pop industry as a hip hop group but later succeeded in a variety of genres. Their songs are mostly focused on problems that young people face in schools, loss, love, self-love, coming of age, individualism, and the aftermath of becoming popular.
Over the years, BTS has grown to a global level, creating a huge fan base. They debuted with the single album 2 Cool 4 Skool.
Formation & History
Big Hit created BTS in 2010, with RM, J-Hope, and Suga as the first members of the group. After becoming a group of seven, the members worked for almost 15 hours to accomplish themselves as a K-pop group. Before their debut, they offered a free concert for a group of industry insiders. The company allowed the members to embrace their individuality and create music that is capable of touching the hearts of fans.
Debut & Initial Performance
On 12 June 2013, BTS released their single album ‘2 Cool 4 School’, and on the next day, 13 June, they made their state debut on M Countdown. In 2014, they made their Japanese debut with the studio albums ‘Dark & Wild’ and ‘Wake Up’.
Popularity
The fame and popularity of BTS is the result of the day-to-night hard work of its members. Though the initial activities of the members were not so appreciated, slowly their hard work started to catch the recognition of the fans. Their way of expressing the problems of the youth started to gain the attention of the youth who are bullied at school—the people who lack motivation and encouragement in their lives.
Military Service
According to South Korean rule, every abled man should complete 18 to 21 months of mandatory military service by the age of 28. Being a major revenue source for the agency and South Korea’s entertainment industry, BTS’ retreat from the entertainment industry to serve in the military has badly affected the economy of South Korea.
Contact Renewal
Following the expiration of the first contract, BTS renewed the contract with the agency to 2027. The members will reunite after the completion of their military service, marking a second phase in their music career in 2025.
Members
Jin
Kim Seok-jin, or Jin, is the oldest member of the group. He joined Big Hit as the lead vocalist and visual. He was born on 4 December 1992 in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
The Big Hit staff accidentally spotted Jin on the street and asked him to attend the audition of the company. His wish was to become an actor, so he joined Konkuk University to learn Film Studies. He is nicknamed WWH or World Wide Handsome.
He was the first member to enlist in the military in December 2022. He is expected to be released in June 2024.
Suga
Suga, or Min Yoon-gi, was born on 9 March 1993, in Daegu, South Korea. He joined Big Hit as the lead rapper and producer. He recognised his passion for music from a very young age and started following it by working at a recording studio as a part-time employee. He was an underground rapper with the name Gloss before he joined BTS.
After getting into Big Hit, he trained for three years before making his debut in 2013 with the members. He released his first solo song, ‘Agust D’, in 2016. Later, his fans started calling him Agust D. From 26 April 2023, to 6 August 2023, he went on a world tour for the promotion of his D-Day under the name Agust D.
He was enlisted in the military on 22 September 2023.
J-Hope
Jung Hoseok, or J-Hope, is the main dancer, lead rapper, and sub vocalist. He was born on 18 February 1994 in Gwangju, South Korea.
J-hope had attended dance classes at Gwangju Music Academy, and he was a part of an underground street dance group called ‘Neuron’. He chose the name Smile Hoya when he was in Neuron. After joining Big Hit, he chose the stage name J-Hope by taking inspiration from Pandora’s fairy tale. He debuted as a soloist in 2018 with the solo mixtape ‘Hope World’, which became one on the Billboard 200.
He was enrolled in the military on 18 April 2023 and is expected to conclude his mandatory military service by October 2024.
RM
RM (Rap Monster), or Kim Nam-joon, is the leader of BTS. He celebrates his birthday on 12 September 1994, in Seoul, South Korea. He joined as the lead rapper, songwriter, and producer. He has won the hearts of fans all over the world through his unique way of storytelling. His IQ level is 148.
After getting selected by the agency, he chose to stay with his group when given a chance to proceed with his career as a solo artist. He was enlisted in the military with the Maknae Line on 11th December 2023.
He is nicknamed as ‘God of Destruction’ due to his habit of destroying things.
Jimin
Park Ji-min, famous as Jimin, is the lead vocalist and dancer of BTS. He was born on 13 October 1995. He was born in Busan, South Korea. He attended dance classes when he was in high school. Impressed by his dance, it was his teacher who suggested him to attend auditions for different agencies. During his school days, V and Jimin used to be classmates, and they call themselves soulmates.
On 24 March 2023, he debuted as a solo artist with the album ‘Face’. He is the first K-pop artist to become number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with the song ‘Like Crazy’.
He was enlisted in the military on 12 December.
V
Kim Tae-hyung, famous by the stage name V, was born on 30 December 1995. He was born in Daegu, South Korea. After becoming a trainee at Big Hit, he trained for three years. Initially, the company kept him as a ‘secret member’ which made him feel uncertain about his future in Big Hit. Finally, he debuted as a BTS member with the song ‘No More Dreams’. In the group, he serves as the visual,vocalist, and dancer.
Apart from being a singer of BTS, V has acted in the K-drama ‘Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth’ which was released in 2016.
He enlisted in the military on 11 December 2023, and on 16 January he completed his five-week training and signed in as an elite trainee from the Nonsan Training Centre.
JungKook
JungKook, the youngest member of BTS, famous as Jungkook or JK, was born on 1 September 1997. He was born in Busan, South Korea. In the group, he serves as the lead vocalist, lead dancer, and rapper. He joined BTS due to RM’s presence in the group.
He is a well-known soloist and has collaborated with famous artists like Charli Puth. He sang the song ‘Dreamers’, the official soundtrack of the FIFA World Cup, the song was released on 20 November.
He became a trainee at Big Hit at the age of 15. He enlisted in the army on 12 December 2023.
Discography
Studio Albums
- ‘Dark & Wild’ – 19 August 2014
- ‘Wake Up’ – 24 December 2014
- ‘Youth’ – 7 September 2016
- ‘Wings’ – 10 October 2016
- ‘Face Yourself’ – 4 April 2018
- ‘Love Yourself: Tear’ – 18 May 2018
- ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ – 21 February 2020
- ‘Map of the Soul: 7 – The Journey’ – 15 July 2020
- ‘Be’ – 20 November 2020
Compilation Albums
- ‘2 Cool 4 Skool / O!RUL8,2?’ – 23 April 2014
- ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever’ – 2 May 2016
- ‘The Best of Bangtan Sonyeondan -Korea Edition-‘ – 6 January 2017
- ‘The Best of Bodan Shonendan -Japan Edition-‘ – 6 January 2017
- ‘Love Yourself: Answer’ – 24 August 2018
- ‘BTS, the Best’ – 16 June 2021
- ‘Proof’ – 10 June 2022
Extended Plays
- ‘O!RUL8,2?’ – 11 September 2013
- ‘Skool Luv Affair’ – 12 February 2014
- ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1’ – 29 April 2015
- ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2’ – 30 November 2015
- ‘Love Yourself: Her’ – 18 September 2017
- ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’ – 12 April 201
- ‘Dynamite’ – 28 August 2020
- ‘Butter (Hotter, Sweeter, Cooler)’ – 4 June 2021
Single Albums
- ‘2 Cool 4 Skool’ – 12 June 2013
- ‘Butter’ – 9 July 2021
Soundtrack Albums
- ‘BTS World: Original Soundtrack’ – 28 June 2019
Reissues
- ‘Skool Luv Affair Special Addition’ – 14 May 2014
- ‘You Never Walk Alone’ – 13 February 2017
Japanese Singles
- ‘MIC Drop’ – 2017
- ‘DNA’ – 2017
- ‘Crystal Snow’ – 2017
- ‘Fake Love’ – 2018
- ‘Airplane Pt. 2’ – 2018
- ‘Lights’ – 2019
- ‘Boy with Luv’ – 2019
Singles
- ‘No More Dream’ – 2013
- ‘We Are Bulletproof Pt. 2’ – 2013
- ‘N.O’ – 2013
- ‘Boy in Luv’ – 2014
- ‘Just One Day’ – 2014
- ‘Danger’ – 2014
- ‘War of Hormone’ – 2014
- ‘I Need U’ – 2015
- ‘For You’ – 2015
- ‘Dope’ – 2015
- ‘Run’ – 2015
- ‘Epilogue: Young Forever’ – 2016
- ‘Fire’ – 2016
- ‘Save Me’ – 2016
- ‘Blood Sweat & Tears’ – 2016
- ‘Spring Day’ – 2017
- ‘Not Today’ – 2017
- ‘DNA’ – 2017
- ‘Mic Drop’ – 2017
- ‘Don’t Leave Me’ – 2018
- ‘Fake Love’ – 2018
- ‘Idol’ – 2018
- ‘Boy with Luv’ – 2019
- ‘Dream Glow’ – 2019
- ‘A Brand New Day’ – 2019
- ‘All Night’ – 2019
- ‘Heartbeat’ – 2019
- ‘Make It Right’ – 2019
- ‘Black Swan’ – 2020
- ‘On’ – 2020
- ‘Stay Gold’ – 2020
- ‘Your Eyes Tell’ – 2020
- ‘Dynamite’ – 2020
- ‘Life Goes On’ – 2020
- ‘Film Out’ – 2021
- ‘Butter’ – 2021
- ‘Permission to Dance’ – 2021
- ‘My Universe’ – 2021
- ‘Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)’ – 2022
- ‘Bad Decisions’ – 2022
- ‘The Planet’ – 2023
- ‘Take Two’ – 2023
Awards
- MAMA Awards 2023
Worldwide Fans Choice
Worldwide Icon of the Year
Best OST - Melon Music Awards 2023
Favourite Star Award
Top 10 Artists - Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2023
Favorite Music Group - Seoul Music Awards 2023
Best Artist Award
Bonsang Award
World Trend Artist – April - Webby Awards 2023
Social – Features: Best Community Engagement - Japan Gold Disc Awards 2023
Best 3 Albums (Asia)
Best Artist (Asia)
Music Video of the Year (Asia)
Song of the Year by Download - iHeartRadio Music Awards 2023
Best Fan Army
Best Music Video - Golden Disc Awards 2023
Album of the Year – ‘Proof’
Best Album (Bonsang) – ‘Proof’
TikTok Most Popular Artist Award - The Fact Music Awards 2023
Best Music – Summer – ‘Take Two’
Fan N Star Choice Award – Group
Fan N Star Most Voted - Circle Chart Music Awards 2023
Global Artist Award
Global Digital Music – June – ‘Yet to Come’
Physical Album – 3rd Quarter – ‘Proof’
Retail Album of the Year – ‘Proof’
Social Hot Star - Bravo Otto 2023
International Singer – Gold - Hanteo Music Awards 2023
Artist of the Year
Best Artist
Best Song
Global Artist Award
WhosFandom Award - American Music Awards 2022
Favorite K-pop Artist
Favorite Duo or Group Pop/Rock - Circle Chart Music Awards 2022
Album of the Year – 3rd Quarter – ‘Butter’
Mubeat Global Choice Award – Male
Music Steady Seller of the Year – ‘Dynamite’
Retail Album of the Year
Social Hot Star of the Year
Song of the Year – May – ‘Butter’
Song of the Year – July – ‘Permission to Dance’
Song of the Year – September – ‘My Universe’ - Bravo Otto 2022
Best Group/Duo – Silver - E! People’s Choice Awards 2022
The Concert Tour of 2022 – ‘Permission to Dance on Stage’ - Hanteo Music Awards 2022
Artist Award – Male GroupInitial Chodong Record Award
WhosFandom Award - The Fact Music Awards 2022
Artist of the Year (Bonsang)
Daesang Award
Fan N Star Choice Award – Artist
Fan N Star Most Voted Artist
Global Fan N Star Award
Idolplus Popularity Award
The Group of 2022 - KOMCA Awards 2022
Song of the Year - Japan Gold Disc Awards 2022
Album of the Year (Asia)
Best 3 Albums (Asia)Best 5 Songs by Download
Best 5 Songs by Streaming
Best Artist (Asia)
Music Video of the Year (Asia)
Song of the Year by Download
Song of the Year by Download
Song of the Year by Streaming - iHeartRadio Music Awards 2022
Best Fan Army
Best Music Video - Billboard Music Awards 2022
Top Duo/Group
Top Selling Song – ‘Butter’
Top Song Sales Artist - Asia Artist Awards 2022
Idolplus Popularity Award – Singer - Golden Disc Awards 2022
Album of the Year (Daesang) – ‘Be’
Best Album (Bonsang) – ‘Be’
Best Digital Song (Bonsang) – ‘Butter’
Most Popular Artist Award - American Music Awards 2021
Favorite Pop Song
Favorite Pop Duo or Group
Artist of the Year - Asia Artist Awards 2021
Song of the Year
U+IdolLive Popularity Award – Male Group - Bravo Otto 2021
Best K-Pop – Silver - Billboard Music Awards 2021
Top Duo/Group
Top Selling Song
Top Social Artist
Top Song Sales Artist - E! People’s Choice Awards 2021
The Group of 2021
The Music Video of 2021 – ‘Butter’
The Song of 2021 – ‘Butter’ - The Fact Music Awards 2021
Artist of the Year (Bonsang)
Daesang Award
Fan N Star Most Voted Artist
Listeners’ Choice Award
U+Idol Live Popularity Award - Gaffa-Prisen 2021
Best International Album – ‘Map of the Soul: 7’
Best International Band - Japan Gold Disc Awards 2021
Album of the Year (Asia) – ‘Map of the Soul: 7 – The Journey’
Best 3 Albums (Asia) – ‘Map of the Soul: 7’, ‘Map of the Soul: 7 – The Journey’
Best 5 Songs by Streaming – ‘Dynamite’
Best Artist (Asia)
Music Video of the Year (Asia)
Song of the Year by Download
Song of the Year by Streaming - iHeartRadio Music Awards 2021
Best Fan Army
Best Music Video – ‘Dynamite’
Favorite Music Video Choreography - Golden Disc Awards 2021
Album of the Year (Daesang) – ‘Map of the Soul: 7’
Best Album (Bonsang) – ‘Map of the Soul: 7’
Best Digital Song (Bonsang) – ‘Dynamite’
Most Popular Artist Award - IFPI Awards 2021
Global Recording Artist of 2021 - Japan Record Awards 2021
Special International Music Award - KOMCA Awards 2021
Song of the Year – ‘Boy with Luv’ - Circle Chart Music Awards 2021
Album of the Year – 1st Quarter – ‘Map of the Soul: 7’
Album of the Year – 4th Quarter – ‘Be’
Retail Album of the Year – ‘Map of the Soul: 7’
Song of the Year – February – ‘On’
Song of the Year – August – ‘Dynamite’
Song of the Year – November – ‘Life Goes On’ - American Music Awards 2020
Favorite Social Artist
Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock - Japan Record Awards 2020
Special International Music Award - APAN Music Awards 2020
APAN Top 10 (Bonsang)
Best Group – Male (Domestic)
No. 1 Achievement (Daesang) - E! People’s Choice Awards 2020
The Album of 2020 – ‘Map of the Soul: 7’
The Group of 2020
The Music Video of 2020 – ‘Dynamite’ - Bravo Otto 2020
Best K-Pop – Silver - Asia Artist Awards 2020
Best of Best Popularity Award
Popularity Award – Singer (Male)
Song of the Year - Billboard Music Awards 2020
Top Social Artist - The Fact Music Awards 2020
Artist of the Year (Bonsang)
Daesang Award
Listeners’ Choice Award
TMA Popularity Award
Artist of the Year (Bonsang)
Daesang Award
Listeners’ Choice Award
Worldwide Icon Award - Circle Chart Music Awards 2020
Album of the Year – 2nd Quarter – ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’
Retail Album of the Year – ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’
Social Hot Star of the Year - IFPI Awards 2020
Global Album All Format Album Award – ‘Map of the Soul: 7’
Global Album Sales Award – ‘Map of the Soul: 7’
Global Recording Artist of 2020 - iHeartRadio Music Awards 2020
Best Fan Army
Best Music Video - Japan Gold Disc Awards 2020
Best 5 Singles
Best Asian Artist
Best Music Video (Asia) – ‘BTS World Tour: Love Yourself’
Song of the Year by Download (Asia) – ‘Lights’ - Golden Disc Awards 2020
Digital Bonsang – ‘Boy with Luv’
Digital Daesang – ‘Boy with Luv’
Disc Bonsang – ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’
Disc Daesang – ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’
Fans’ Choice K-pop Star Award
Popularity Award
Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2019
Popular Korean Artist - American Music Awards 2019
Tour of the Year
Favorite Social Artist
Favorite Duo or Group Pop/Rock - Billboard Music Awards 2019
Top Duo/Group
Top Social Artist - Circle Chart Music Awards 2019
Album of the Year – 2nd Quarter – Love Yourself: Tear
Album of the Year – 3rd Quarter – Love Yourself: Answer
K-pop Contribution Award - BraVo Music Awards 2019
Group of the Year - Gaffa-Prisen 2019
Best International Album – ‘Love Yourself: Answer’
Best International Band - Japan Gold Disc Awards 2019
Album of the Year (Asia) – ‘Face Yourself’
Best 3 Albums (Asia) – ‘Face Yourself’
Best Asian Artist
Best Music Video Recording (Asia) - The Fact Music Awards 2019
Artist of the Year (Bonsang)
Best Album – ‘Love Yourself: Answer’
Daesang Award
Idol Live Popularity Award - Edaily Culture Awards 2019
Concert Category – ‘Love Yourself World Tour’
Grand Prize - Golden Disc Awards 2019
Digital Bonsang – ‘Fake Love’
Disc Bonsang – ‘Love Yourself: Answer’
Disc Daesang – ‘Love Yourself: Answer’
Global V Live Best Artist Award
Most Popular K-pop Star
Popularity Award - iHeartRadio Music Awards 2019
Best Fan Army - Korea First Brand Awards 2019
Male Idol of the Year - Genie Music Awards 2019
Genie Music Popularity Award
Global Popularity Award
The Male Group
Performing Artist (Male)
Performing Artist (Male)
Top Artist
Top Video - Bravo Otto 2019
Best Group/Duo – Gold - American Music Awards 2018
Favorite Social Artist - The Asian Awards 2018
Outstanding Achievement in Music - BBC Radio1 Teen Awards 2018
Best International Group
Social Media Star - Billboard Music Awards 2018
Top Social Artist - Circle Chart Music Awards 2018
Album of the Year – 1st Quarter – You Never Walk Alone
Album of the Year – 3rd Quarter – Love Yourself: Her - E! People’s Choice Awards 2018
Group of the Year
Music Video of the Year
Social Celebrity of the Year
Song of the Year - Genie Music Awards 2018
Artist of the Year
Album of the Year (Digital) – ‘Love Yourself: Answer’
Best Dance Performance (Male) – ‘Idol’
Best Music Video – ‘Idol’
Best Fandom
Best Group (Male)
Best Style
Genie Music Popularity Award
Idol Champ Global Popularity Award - Golden Disc Awards 2018
Digital Bonsang – ‘Spring Day’
Disc Bonsang – ‘Love Yourself: Her’
Disc Daesang – ‘Love Yourself: Her’ - iF Product Design Awards 2018
Corporate Identity and Branding Award - iHeartRadio MMVAs 2018
Fan Fave Duo or Group - iHeartRadio Music Awards 2018
Best Boy Band
Best Fan Army - Asia Artist Awards 2018
Artist of the Year – Music
Daesang Award – Music
Fabulous Award – Music
Korean Tourism Appreciation Award
Popularity Award – Music
Interesting Facts about BTS
- V accompanied his friend for the Big Hit audition and got selected as a Big Hit trainee, but his friend could not make it.
- RM was the only person in the group who knew English, and he used to translate for his members.
- V and RM enlisted in the military on the same day (11 December 2023) at Nonsan Training Centre.
- RM wrote the majority of BTS’s songs.
- Suga has undergone surgeries for his shoulder and appendix.
- RM is the first member of BTS.
- Jin is the early bird in the group and likes to cook for all the other members.
- The members call Suga ‘Grandpa’ because he likes to sleep a lot.
- J-Hope is the sunshine of BTS.
FAQS
- Who is the leader of BTS?
RM. - Who is the youngest member of BTS?
Jungkook. - Who is the oldest member of BTS?
Jin. - How many members are there in BTS?
7. - When did BTS officially debut?
2013. - What are the Instagram IDs of BTS members?
@rkive (RM), @jin (Jin), @uarmyhope (J-Hope), @agustd (Suga), @thv (V), and @j.m (Jimin). - Who are the maknaes of BTS?
V, Jimin and Jungkook.
