BTS: How the K-Popstars became global sensations
They're going on tour this year
K-pop boy band BTS have made a return to music in 2026. They've announced their comeback tour, with a show being live streamed on Netflix, along with an album, which has been documented for a new show, out in March.
Join us as we get to know the band better, from their hiatus and biggest songs such as 'My Universe' with Coldplay, to solo music, and even their own film called BTS: Yet To Come. They've also released a live album called ‘Permission to Dance on Stage – Live’ and a fan movie called BTS Army: Forever We Are Young.
Who are BTS?
BTS are a K-pop band consisting of seven members: Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Find out more about the pop stars below...
BTS members:
Jin
Kim Seok-jin is known by his stage name Jin. He was born on 4th December 1992 and was spotted by a scout while he was walking down the street, having no background in music, instead studying acting.
Suga
Min Yoon-gi is the real name of BTS member Suga, or Agust D as he is sometimes known. Suga is a rapper, songwriter and record producer, he released music as Agust D achieving a Number 7 album in the UK in 2020.
Suga was born on 9th March 1993.
J-Hope
Jung Ho-seok is better known as J-Hope. As well as releasing music as part of BTS he also released his first mixtape in 2018, 'Hope World'. J-Hope was born on 18th February 1994.
After the band confirmed their hiatus, J-Hope became the first to announce solo music.
RM
RM - formerly Rap Monster - is a rapper, songwriter and record producer and the leader of BTS. Real name, Kim Nam-joon, RM has worked with the likes of Warren G, Fall Out Boy, and Lil Nas X. RM was born on 12th September 1994.
Jimin
Park Ji-min, known simply as Jimin was born on 13th October 1995. Jimin is a singer and dancer with BTS. When he was young he attended Just Dance Academy where he learnt to dance.
V
Kim Tae-hyung is better known as V and is a singer and songwriter. V was born on 30th December 1995, and wanted to be a professional singer from an early age. As well as being part of one of the biggest bands around he is also enrolled on a Masters course in Business Administration in Advertising and Media at Hanyang Cyber University, a virtual university.
Jungkook
Jungkook (real name Jeon Jung-kook), is the youngest member of BTS, born on 1st September 1994. After initially wanting to pursue a career in badminton, Jungkook decided on a career in music after seeing South Korean rapper G-Dragon perform on TV.
What does BTS stand for?
BTS originally stood for the Korean phrase Bangtan Sonyeondan, which when translated means Bulletproof Boy Scouts, however in 2017 the boys revealed a different meaning for their band name.
Speaking to Radio Disney BTS said: "Now it means Beyond The Scene, but we had changed the meaning. Originally, in Korean, it means Bulletproof Boyscouts. That’s BTS. Our producer he came up with it."
How did they become famous?
2010 - The beginnings
Although BTS released their first single in 2013, it was actually back in 2010 that the band formed. Assembled by Big Hit Entertainment, a South Korean entertainment company, BTS members were chosen from a variety of sources including online auditions, TV auditions and talent agencies.
However, it wasn't as easy as just releasing music once the band had formed, they worked as trainees, where they were prepared for stardom! The boys had lessons in dancing, singing, acting and media training.
2013 - The release of '2 COOL 4 SKOOL'
BTS officially released their first album in the summer of 2013 called '2 COOL 4 SKOOL'. The album was supported by songs 'No More Dream' and 'We Are Bulletproof Pt.2'.
2014 - The BTS A.R.M.Y. are born
Fans of the K-Pop group become known as the BTS ARMY. ARMY stands for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth.
2019 - BTS present a Grammy Award
In 2019, BTS became the first K-pop artist to present an award at the Grammys. They presented H.E.R. with the Best R&B Album award.
2020 - BTS perform at the Grammys
Just a year after being the first K-Pop artist to present a Grammy, the band return to be the first K-Pop artist to perform at the awards.
2020: BTS release 'Dynamite'
In August 2020, BTS released their first English language song, 'Dynamite'. The song was a commercial success reaching Number 3 in the UK and becoming a Top 10 hit around the world.
2020 - BTS release 'Map of the Soul: 7'
BTS' seventh studio album 'Map of the Soul: 7' becomes a worldwide Number 1 hit, reaching the top spot in the UK, US, Australia, Japan and of course their native South Korea. It's since been certified Gold.
2021 - BTS collaborate with Coldplay
BTS and Coldplay release 'My Universe' in 2021, the song is sung in English and Korean and to date has 158 million views on YouTube.
2022 - BTS announce their hiatus
BTS shocked fans on their ninth anniversary by announcing they would be starting a hiatus.
2025 - BTS announce reunion
On 1st July 2025, just weeks after the final members of BTS were released from mandatory military service, all seven members reunited to announce the band's comeback. Appearing on a live stream, BTS confirmed they will be heading into the studio to create a new album, due for release in Spring 2026, as well as planning a World Tour.
2025 - BTS release their first live album
'Permission to Dance on Stage – Live' was released on 18th July and features live tracks from BTS' 'Permission to Dance on Stage' tour.
2026 - BTS announce their comeback tour including UK dates
In January 2026, the band announced their comeback tour, telling fans they would be performing across the world, including two dates in the UK. They will come to the UK in July 2026 with tickets available from Aloud.com soon.
2026 - BTS documentary to be released in March
The new documentary, BTS: The Return, will follow the band as they return to music, after their hiatus due to mandatory military service. It will also follow the band as they work on their new album.
The synopsis says: 'As millions of fans await the comeback of the decade, BTS confronts quieter questions: how to begin again, how to honour the past without being bound by it, and how to move forward together. Through moments of doubt, laughter, and rediscovery, they create new music that reflects who they are now—culminating in what will become a landmark album of its time. Intimate, emotional, and often joyful, BTS: THE RETURN is a story only BTS can tell: a portrait of resilience, brotherhood, and reinvention.'
2026 - Netflix announce global LIVE STREAM of BTS comeback gig
Before BTS are set to go on their world tour, they will reunite for the first time on stage since 2022 at Gwanghwamun Square, in Korea. Fans around the world will be able to watch this live via Netflix on 21st March at 11am in the UK.
Have BTS split up?
BTS announced a hiatus in 2022. On 14th June 2022 the group shared a video on YouTube where the members could be seen sitting around a table full of food and drink, celebrating their ninth anniversary. During the video they announced they would be taking a hiatus, but they have now reunited!
When did BTS reunite?
As of June 2025, all BTS members were discharged from military service and it didn't take long for the band to reunite!
On Tuesday 1st July 2025, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook all appeared on a live stream on Weverse, for the first time since announcing a hiatus in 2022. During the stream, BTS announced they will be making a new album, due for release in Spring 2026, as well as planning a world tour!
Find out all of the details about the new album right here.
When are BTS on tour?
The band said in 2025: “We’re also planning a world tour alongside the new album. We’ll be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you’re as excited as we are.”
Then, on 13th January 2026, the band announced a huge world tour, including two dates in the UK. They will be playing at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium on 6th and 7th July 2026.
The tour has sold out in the UK, however fans will be able to watch a live stream of their comeback show from Korea, taking place in March. The live stream will see the band reunite on stage for the first time since they started their hiatus in 2022.
Is there a BTS film?
A film called BTS: Yet To Come was released in 2023, and features performances from their concert at Asiad Main Stadium in Busan, the concert was free for fans, with over 50,000 people in attendance.
In June 2025, BTS announced a brand new film called BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, which is dedicated to their huge army of over 90 million fans.
BTS Movie Weeks
In addition to the films above, BTS Movie Weeks was announced in 2025. Fans had the chance to watch four of their concert films at the cinema. Between 24th September and 5th October 2025, fans would watch concert films from 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021.
- 2016 On Stage: Epilogue (from 24th September)
- 2017 The Wings Tour: The Final (from 24th September)
- 2019 'Speak Yourself’ London (from 1st October)
- 2021 Muster Sowoozoo (from 1st October)
What are fans of BTS called?
Fans of the popular K-Pop group BTS are known as the BTS ARMY. ARMY stands for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth.
Back in 2018, 'All About That Bass' singer Meghan Trainor delighted BTS fans by revealing she's in the BTS ARMY.
What world records have BTS broken?
BTS hold 23 Guinness World Records, and they were inducted into the 2022 Hall of Fame. Take a look at the full list of records in the video below. Their records include being the most streamed group on Spotify (beating Coldplay) and the most followed music group on Instagram.
How many YouTube subscribers does BTS have?
Even though they were on hiatus for several years, it seems that their popularity still grew, and in August 2022 the group passed the 70 million mark for YouTube subscribers! Reaching this milestone put BTS in second place behind fellow K-Pop band Blackpink and ahead of Justin Bieber. At the time of writing, BTS have over 82 million subscribers on YouTube.
BTS on TikTok
BTS have an incredible 73.9 million followers on TikTok, with the group having been one of the most popular global artists on the platform in 2023. You can find BTS on TikTok with the username bts_official_bighit.
BTS have previously been on tour in the UK, in 2019 the band made history as they became the first ever South Korean group to headline at Wembley Stadium. They even performed at two sold-out nights at the venue.
Did BTS perform at the Grammys?
BTS performed at the Grammys in April 2022, they were also nominated for one award, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance ('Butter'). They've previously been nominated for the same category in 2020, for their song 'Dynamite'.
Who have BTS collaborated with?
BTS have collaborated with a number of different artists including The Chainsmokers, DJ Steve Aoki and singers Nicki Minaj, Halsey and Zara Larsson.
BTS collaborated with Coldplay releasing 'My Universe' in 2021. The track is sung in both English and Korean, and it was co-written by both bands, together with Swedish producer Max Martin - famed for working on songs by Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift.
Watch the music video for Coldplay X BTS' 'My Universe':
In an interview with Ellen Degeneres Coldplay's Chris Martin explained how the collaboration came about saying he didn't think the project would ever happen, but: "Then the idea started to seem really attractive in its weirdness, and then one day, the right song just kind of arrived.
"And I just knew at the time (that) this was the song we were supposed to do with BTS and it’s supposed to be about people who can’t be together, or told they shouldn’t be together."
In April 2022, Chris Martin told Audacy podcast that he didn't think he could match their collab. "That was surprising even for us," he admitted.
"The journey from the first time it was mentioned – I was just like ‘how could that ever work?’ – to the song itself arriving and me thinking, ‘that could be for BTS’ – to now it feeling like the most natural collaboration in the world.
He finished saying: "It’s an amazing lesson for myself in keeping an open mind all the time, because you just never know what life or music is gonna throw you."
BTS and Snoop Dogg collaboration
BTS collaborated with Snoop Dogg and Benny Blanco on huge hit 'Bad Decisions'.
Before its release, Snoop told The A.V. Club in March, "I’m going to let them tell you about it. It’s official like a referee with a whistle. I love that entertainment world. It’s good music. It’s (a) vibe."
It then dropped in August 2022.
Now read:
Netflix announce global LIVE STREAM of BTS comeback gig
BTS documentary to be released later this year