Latest: Nine Years at the Top BTS's Unstoppable Rise
At the height of their success, K-pop megastars BTS released
an emotional announcement for fans: They were taking a break from the super
group to focus on their solo career.
The bombshell announcement late Tuesday night sent shock
waves through the septet's global fan base, and sent the stock price of their
HYBE brand plummeting, even as it plummeted, saying the band members will still
work together.
Take a look at the
band's recording path to global stardom:
2013 debut
On June 13, 2013, BTS debuted as a seven-member boy group.
The members - J-Hope, Jimin, and Jin, Jung kook, RM, Suga,
and V - are selected through a combination of recruitment and audition
processes, and undergo extensive training before the group's launch.
2017 US hack
Already having stars in their home country of South Korea,
the band has their sights set on the world's largest music market: the United
States.
They became the first K-pop act to be shown at the televised
American Music Awards.
Billboard success 2018
In a vivid illustration of the group's growing appeal, BTS
became the first K-pop group to top US album charts.
In May 2018, the band led the Billboard 200 - which ranks
albums by sales, downloads, and live streams - with their album "Love
yourself: Tear".
United Nations
As their cultural influence grew, BTS was invited to speak
at the United Nations. They use the platform to tell young people to be
themselves.
Addressing a crowded hall at the launch of UNICEF's youth
campaign, group leader RM urges young people to "speak only for
yourself" regardless of their race, gender or identity.
UK blueprint success for 2019
The band set another record, becoming the first Korean act
to top the UK album chart with "Map of the soul: Persona".
The achievement comes ahead of the two sold out group
performances at London's famous Wembley Stadium.
First break
After topping the charts in the US and Britain, BTS took
their first "long-term" break since their debut, citing the need to
"recharge and update".
But the band returned within weeks with a tour that included
a show in Saudi Arabia.
2020 ´Hot 100´
In September 2020, BTS became the first South Korean group
to dominate the US singles chart, with the English-language song
"Dynamite" at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
The achievement comes hours after BTS won American music
heavyweights including Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift for Best Pop
Music Awards at the MTV Video Music Awards.
The group frequently topped the charts in the US with other
hits including "Butter" and "Permission to Dance".
Grammy nominations
BTS has become the first Korean to receive a Grammy Award
nomination.
The band was nominated for Best Performance by a Pop Duo or
Group for their English song "Dynamite", but failed to win.
BTS was nominated again in 2021, but after being
disappointed, Suga said, "I am grateful that there are barriers and
challenges that we can try to overcome."
2021 Artist of the Year
BTS has become the first Asian group to win Artist of the
Year at the American Music Awards, the world's largest award ceremony for fans
to vote on.
The party also garnered Favorite Pop Duo or Group Awards and
Favorite Pop Song for their song "Butter" at the glitzy party in Los
Angeles.
It represented the ninth AMA win for the squad.
Second break
In December 2021, HYBE announced that BTS would be taking a
"second official extended period of rest" in order to recharge and
seek new inspiration.
The band is fast performing again, with a series of concerts
sold out in Seoul in March 2022, their first post-pandemic performance in their
home country.
2022 The White House
In June 2022, BTS visited the White House to meet with US
President Joe Biden.
The group uses the trip to invoke rising hate crimes against
Asians in the United States.
A new hiatus?
BTS announced that they are taking a break from the group to
focus on their solo careers in an emotional video appearance.
Speaking to fans in a YouTube video marking the group's
ninth anniversary, the members say they are "tired" and need some
time apart.
Their brand HYBE takes a hit back, saying that BTS will be
doing "group and solo projects simultaneously."