No other modern band has been able to compete with the success, achievements, and records of the South Korean seven-member group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan), the most successful act in the global music industry. How did the most award-winning and record-breaking Asian band in today’s music industry, BTS, happen? Here’s a summary of the BTS origin story.
The beginning of the BTS band and its members
The group BTS was the first to spread South Korea and the Korean language and culture globally, gaining recognition for Korean pop music (K-pop) on the international stage and achieving huge success for the South Korean wave (Hallyu Wave).
BTS paved the way!
Not a band that became stars overnight, the seven young members worked hard for years to develop their abilities, starting from a small place and facing many obstacles and challenges.
BTS, the most award-winning and record-breaking Asian band in the music industry today, is unique in addressing topical issues of youth and society through their songs, which go beyond the traditional themes of love and breakup. The members of BTS embody many admirable qualities such as irrepressible courage, unity, dedication, modesty, and civility, offering life lessons and inspiration to their fans worldwide.
How BTS members got together
Bang Si-hyuk, a music producer and owner of BigHit, a small Korean singer-management company that was on the verge of bankruptcy, has an IQ of 148, is talented in songwriting and rapping, and ranked in the top 1% of Korea’s university entrance exams. He met Kim Nam-joon and, recognizing his talent, Bang Si-hyuk conducted a talent test called Hit It in 2009-10 to find talented children from all over Korea to create a band based on a new idea. This laid the foundation for BTS.
BTS RM
- Birth Name: 김남준 (Kim Nam-joon / Kim Nam-Joon)
- Stage Name: RM (Formerly: Rap Monster)
- Team Position:
- Leader,
- Main Rapper
- Date of Birth: 12 September 1994
- Place of Birth: Yeoui-dong, Seoul, South Korea
BigHit, which provides idol training to aspiring young talent, finally selected 6 more members who passed the skill test.
BTS SUGA
- Birth Name: 민윤기 (Min Yoon-gi)
- Stage name: SUGA
- Group Title: Main Rapper
- Date of Birth: March 9, 1993
- Place of Birth: Taejeon-dong, Daegu, South Korea
Min Yoon-Gi (SUGA), talented in music writing and production since school, joined Big Hit Entertainment for a music producer training position after passing a talent test. Recognizing Yoon-Gi’s exceptional talent, Bang Si-hyuk decided to train him as a rapper alongside RM.
BTS j-hope
- Birth Name: 정호석 (Jung Ho-seok – Jung Hoseok)**
- Stage name: j-hope
- Team Position:
- Main Dancer
- Dance Leader,
- Lead Rapper
- Sub Vocalist
- Date of Birth: 18 February 1994
- Place of Birth: Ilgok-dong, Gwangju, South Korea
(**Jung Hoseok is the most commonly used Western pronunciation, and the correct Korean pronunciation is Jong Hoseok)
Hoseok took the Big Hit Entertainment talent test in the dance category. Bang Si-hyuk, who was a member of a dance group in his home province, recognized Hoseok’s talent in singing and rapping. As a result, he recruited him to train as a rapper.
BTS Jung kook
- Birth Name: 전정국 (Jeon Jung-kook – Jeon Jungkook) **
- Stage name: Jung kook (Jung Kook) / JK
- Team Positions:
- Main Vocalist,
- Sub Rapper,
- Lead Dancer
- Center
- Date of Birth: September 1, 1997
- Place of Birth: Mandeok-dong, Busan, South Korea
(**Jang Jangkook and Jeon Jungkook are the most commonly used Western pronunciations, while the correct Korean pronunciation is Jon Jongguk)
Even though Jung Kook participated in the Superstar K Superstar program in Busan province, he did not qualify. However, as fate had planned it, 7 talent management institutes saw his ability in that program and invited the young boy to join their labels as a trainee. Even though all the other institutions are well-known, reputed entertainment companies in South Korea, he was impressed by Kim Namjoon’s talent. He chose to follow in his footsteps and join his agency, Big Hit Entertainment.
BTS V
- Birth Name: 김태형 (Kim Taehyung / Kim Tae-hyung)
- Stage Name: V
- Team Position: Sub Vocalist, Lead Dancer
- Date of Birth: 30 December 1995
- Place of Birth: Bisan Dong, Daegu, South Korea
Kim Taehyung attended Big Hit Entertainment’s talent test by accident, accompanying a friend who was supposed to take the test. However, a Big Hit Entertainment employee noticed Kim Taehyung waiting around and invited him to participate in the test. Despite being unprepared, Kim Taehyung passed the test and was recruited to train as a singer at Big Hit Entertainment.
BTS Jin
- Birth Name: 김석진 (Kim Seok-jin / Kim Seok-jin)
- Stage name: Jin
- Team Position:
- Sub Vocalist,
- Visual (the main look of the group)
- Date of Birth: December 4, 1992
- Place of Birth: Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, South Korea
Kim Seokjin, while studying for a bachelor’s degree in acting, decided to take the Big Hit Entertainment talent test in the acting section. Bang Si-hyuk, recognizing Jin’s potential, noted that his voice was perfect for singing and recruited him to train as a singer instead.
BTS Jimin
- Birth Name: 박지민 (Park Jimin / Park Ji-min)
- Stage name: Jimin
- Team Position:
- lead vocalist
- Main Dancer
- Date of Birth: October 13, 1995
- Place of Birth: Hoedong-dong, Busan, South Korea
Park Jimin, excelling in academics and dancing at school, was recommended by a teacher to take Big Hit Entertainment’s talent test. Impressed by Jimin’s skills, Bang Si-hyuk noticed his aptitude for dancing and singing, leading to his recruitment to train as a singer.
Debut Day 2013 06 13
– BTS debut
- Kim Seokjin – Jin
- Kim Nam-joon – RM
- Min Yoon-Gi – SUGA
- Jung Hoseok – j-hope
- Park Ji-min – Jimin
- Kim Taehyung – V
- Jan Jung Kook – Jung kook
Big Hit Entertainment announced in 2013 that the new idol group, which was created after starting training in 2010, would be called Bangtan Sonyeondan. It will have 7 members and be led by RM. The premiere took place on June 13, 2013, on the Mcountdown platform.
BTS: A Journey of Hard Work, Resilience, and Global Impact
The name BTS has two meanings:
- 방탄소년단 (Bangtan Sonyeondan) – “Bulletproof Boy Scouts,” which symbolizes their mission to block out stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations aimed at adolescents like bullets.
- BTS – “Beyond the Scene” (since 2017), which represents growing youth going beyond the realities they face and moving forward.
BTS did not become stars overnight. They worked hard for their success, practicing daily while balancing school. Despite their relentless efforts, Big Hit, their talent management company, was small and loss-making compared to other companies in Korea. They faced many obstacles and tough competition, receiving little support from television stations and newspapers.
The older team members even engaged in odd jobs between practices. During this time, SUGA faced an accident while working as a delivery boy. Despite his shoulder pain, which persisted until his surgery in 2020, he continued to perform skillfully on stage.
Their opportunity to make their first presentation came by chance when the originally selected team could not attend. Unlike other organizations that spent heavily on publicity, Big Hit relied on social networks like YouTube to share their information and music with fans.
The Role of BTS ARMY
The support from BTS ARMY was instrumental in their rise to global stardom. Fans from around the world gathered around BTS, sharing their daily lives and behind-the-scenes events through social networks. Their organic success with ARMY surpassed paid marketing efforts, spreading the band’s name and music worldwide.
The BTS fandom, known as ARMY, stands for “Adorable Representative MC (Master of Ceremonies) for Youth.” This beloved youth advocate and program conductor comprises more than 90 million fans across 100+ countries. Spanning ages 10-80 and speaking 46+ languages, ARMY is recognized as the most powerful fan group in the world. Despite the initial challenges in securing performance opportunities, BTS concerts today sell out within hours globally.
BTS’s journey reflects their resilience, hard work, and the incredible support of their fans, proving that dedication and genuine connections can overcome any obstacle.
BTS: Redefining Fan Engagement and Marketing in the Global Music Industry
BTS, a group of seven members, built the world’s most powerful group of loyal fans through social networks. Their innovative use of platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and V Live to share their daily lives and behind-the-scenes moments helped them forge deep, personal connections with their audience. This strategy not only skyrocketed their popularity but also revolutionized the marketing sector by demonstrating the power of authentic engagement. The remarkable story of BTS and their ARMY is now a case study in many western universities, teaching marketing, social, and cultural subjects.
Promoting the success of the global music industry, BTS has become one of the most successful bands today. Their exceptional talent and raw music, combined with the unwavering support of their fans, have made them a highly sought-after brand in the marketing and media sectors.
BTS’s success is a testament to their immense talent and flamboyance, the extraordinary brotherhood and friendship among the group members, and their unchanging humility. They have not only achieved phenomenal success in the global music industry but also left a positive social and cultural impact. Through their songs, BTS often delivers valuable messages addressing societal issues and injustices, further endearing them to fans worldwide and solidifying their legacy as influential artists and cultural icons.
BTS: Pioneering Achievements and Social Contributions
BTS has been named among the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine, and was recognized as the next generation of leaders. The group has also been invited to address the United Nations twice, showcasing their influence on a global scale.
They currently hold over 26 Guinness World Records and are the youngest Koreans to receive the country’s highest civilian honor. BTS made history by being the first Asian artists to win the Best Artist Award at the American Music Awards and had the honor of addressing the United Nations SDG conference as presidential delegates representing the South Korean government.
Notable Awards
- 33 Mnet Asian Music Awards
- 29 Melon Music Awards
- 24 Golden Disc Awards
- 20 Seoul Music Awards
- 6 Korean Music Awards
- 19 Gaon Music Awards
- 6 American Music Awards
- 6 MTV Video Music Awards
- 9 Billboard Music Awards
- Billboard Top Social Artist Award for 5 consecutive years
Social Services
BTS is deeply involved in various social service activities, partnering with UNICEF to provide aid to children, hospitals, and disaster-stricken individuals worldwide. Their social awareness campaigns, such as BTS x UNICEF #ENDviolence and Love Myself, focus on the safety and well-being of children. The group members often donate from their wealth, as well as from their album revenues, with their contributions frequently made in the name of their fans.
Standing against injustices in Korea and globally, BTS uses their platform to raise social awareness and advocate for positive change. Through their collective and individual efforts, BTS continues to inspire and make a significant impact both in the music industry and in societal contributions.