From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThis article is about the musical group. For other uses, see .BTSBTS at the in May 2022
From left to right: V, Jungkook, Jimin, RM, Jin, J-Hope, and SugaBackground informationAlso known asBangtan BoysBangtan SonyeondanBeyond the SceneBulletproof Boy ScoutsOrigin, South KoreaGenresYears active2013–presentLabelsMembersWebsiteKorean nameTranscriptionsJapanese name防弾少年団ぼうだんしょうねんだんTranscriptions
BTS (: 방탄소년단; : Bangtan Sonyeondan), also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a South Korean formed in 2010 and debuting in 2013 under . The septet—consisting of members , , , , , , and —co-writes and co-produces much of their own material. Originally a group, their musical style has evolved to incorporate a wide range of genres; their lyrics have often discussed mental health, the troubles of school-age youth and , loss, the journey towards self-love, and individualism. Their work also frequently references literature, philosophy and psychological concepts, and includes an storyline.
After launching in 2013 with their single album , BTS respectively released their first Korean-language studio album, , and Japanese-language studio album, , in 2014. The group's second Korean studio album, (2016), was their first to sell one million copies in South Korea. By 2017, BTS had crossed into the global music market, leading the into the United States and breaking several sales records. They became the first Korean ensemble to receive a from the (RIAA) for their single "", as well as the first act from South Korea to top the with their studio album (2018). BTS became one of the few groups since in 1966–1968 with four US number-one albums in less than two years, and (2018) was the first Korean album certified Platinum by the RIAA. In 2020, BTS became the first all-South Korean act to reach number one on the and with their -nominated single "". Their follow-up releases "", "", "", and "" made them the quickest act to earn four US number-one singles since in 2006.
As of 2022, BTS is the best-selling artist in South Korean history, having sold in excess of 30 million albums via the , and their studio album (2020) is the . They are the first non-English-speaking and Asian act to hold sold-out concerts at and the ( in 2019), and were named the 's (IFPI) for both 2020 and 2021. The group's include multiple , , , and nominations for two . In 2017, they partnered with to establish the anti-violence campaign, going on to address three sessions of the . Featured on 's international cover as "" and dubbed the "", BTS has also appeared on Time's lists of the 25 most influential people on the internet (2017–2019) and the (2019), and in 2018 became the youngest recipients of the from the President of South Korea for their contributions in spreading Korean culture and language.
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The septet's name, BTS, stands for the Korean phrase Bangtan Sonyeondan (Korean: 방탄소년단; Hanja: 防彈少年團), literally meaning "Bulletproof Boy Scouts". According to member , the name signifies the group's desire "to block out stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations that aim on adolescents like bullets". In Japan, they are known as Bōdan Shōnendan (防弾少年団). In July 2017, BTS announced that their name would also stand for "Beyond the Scene" as part of their new brand identity. This extended their name to evoke those who grow up "from the boy to an adult who opens the doors that is facing to go forward".
Career2010–2014: Formation and early yearsBTS in 2013 performing at the Music Center
BTS was formed in 2010, after Big Hit Entertainment CEO wanted to form a around (Kim Namjoon), an underground rapper who was well known on the music scene in Seoul. BTS was originally supposed to be a hip hop group, but, seeing falling album sales, he changed his plans, thinking a different path would be more marketable. He chose to vary from the usual, highly regimented idol groups and create one where the members would be individuals rather than an ensemble, and free to express themselves. Auditions were held in 2010 with plans to original plans to launch the following year. The band members lived together, practicing up to 15 hours a day, and first performed before a small crowd of industry insiders in 2013.
