BTS: How the K-Popstars became BRIT Award nominees
They hold loads of Guinness World Records
K-pop boy band BTS might have announced a hiatus, but before they decided to take a break they had a very successful career around the world. In 2021, they teamed up with Coldplay on the hugely successful 'My Universe', but how did they become famous and who is in the group?
Join us as we get to know the band better, from their hiatus and biggest songs to solo music, and even their own film called BTS: Yet To Come.
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. He will be releasing a single on 1st July and an album called 'Jack In The Box' on 15th July.
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 is 27-years-old, celebrating his birthday 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 BTS became 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.
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.
Have BTS split up?
BTS have announced a hiatus. 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.
When will BTS reunite?
BTS' reps announced on social media that the band were to reunite in October 2022 for a gig at a special stage in Gijang-gun, Busan. The free gig was also streamed online and shown on big screens to another 10,000 fans in the car park of Busan Port International Passenger Terminal.
Is there a BTS film?
A new film called BTS: Yet To Come is coming to Prime Video shortly, which features performances from their concert at Asiad Main Stadium in Busan, which took place in October 2022. The concert was free for fans, with over 50,000 people in attendance.
The film will be released on 9th November.
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?
Despite being on a hiatus, it seems that their popularity is still growing, 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 76 million subscribers on YouTube.
BTS on TikTok
BTS have an incredible 63.5 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.
When are BTS on tour?
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.
Are BTS performing 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
BTS are also working on a collaboration with Snoop Dogg. According to the rapper, he has finished his part. Telling Buzz’s Danielle Delaite, backstage at the American Song Contest, he said: "You gotta talk to them (BTS) but my parts are in."
He previously 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."
What is BTS' latest album called?
BTS' current album is called 'Proof'. The album's released date was revealed in a video streamed on YouTube on 4th May 2022. The video, titled 'Proof' Logo Trailer showed the logo artwork for each of the band's singles, with their release date, 10th June 2022.
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