BTS has come a long way from their debut back in June of 2013. From winning their first award in 2015 on one of South Korea’s biggest television broadcast networks to issuing their first single “I NEED U” from their third mini-album, “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1,” to being the first Asian act to be nominated for the Grammys, they are dominating the world. 

Like many others, I became interested in BTS in March of 2020 when the quarantine started. I chose BTS because of the message they represented. BTS’ concept of loving yourself spoke to me because at the time I was alone. The quarantine started and I was left with myself. Through their lyrics I grew to start appreciating who I am and the impact I place in the world. 

On my journey, I found BTS to be a humble group. They help those in need and support each other. At the beginning of their debut, the leader of BTS, RM, being the only English speaker at the time, would translate hate comments they received to positive comments to his members. RM did this because he wanted to make sure the other members never lost hope of their success. 

As a member of ARMY, which is the official fandom name — Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth — I have felt the love BTS has given to their fans. No matter the outcome of an event–such as the Grammy awards, they go to their fans. Talking to ARMY becomes a place of comfort to BTS.

BTS has dominated the globe through their music and has achieved many “firsts,” creating history for both the Asian community and the Western music industry. Here are some of those milestones.

“Dynamite” single

Their first full-English single “Dynamite” created YouTube and Guinness World Record  history by being the most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours, with 101,000,000 views. 

In November of 2020, the nominees for the 63rd Grammys were announced. It was revealed that “Dynamite” was nominated in the “Best Pop/ Duo Performance” category, making BTS the first K-Pop and Asian act to be nominated. 

BE album

BTS is the first act in U.S. history to snag the Top 6 Digital Song Sales Chart in November of 2020. That surpassed achievements that the world-known Beatles have made. Their albums “BE” (released in November of 2020) and “BE Essential Edition” (released in February of 2021) consist of 7 songs and a skit that took over the Billboard Charts Hot 100. 

Forbes reported “BE” “debuted atop the Billboard 200 last November with 242,000 equivalent units, including 177,000 pure sales, marking BTS’s fifth No. 1 album on the chart.” 

According to the Hollywood Reporter, success has been exploding for BTS. Since the Beatles, BTS has been the first group to reach three No.1 albums — in less than a year– on the Billboard 200 chart. 

ARMY

In addition to their love for music, BTS has a great love for change. In June of 2020, Variety revealed that BTS donated $1 million to Black Lives Matter. After the news was released, ARMYs created a campaign to #MatchAMillion. 

This was not the first time ARMYs stood up and launched donation projects. According to Insider, back in March of 2018, ARMYs have run a variety of different charity campaigns, including Medical Teams International and Pets for the Elderly.

The strong ARMY fan base has helped BTS create the standard. BTS has been impacting lives through their lyrics. Much of the ARMY fan base have found BTS through rough times in their lives and have been healed by their music. Their music carries lyrics that focus on social issues, becoming a part of their concept.

These leadership actions follow the footsteps of BTS themselves. Since 2017, BTS has partnered with UNICEF to raise awareness for their “Love Yourself” anti-violence campaign.

Love Yourself Campaign

Launched on Nov. 1, 2017, the “Love Yourself” collaboration with UNICEF, focused on staging campaigns against violence towards children and teens around the globe. Along with renewing their commitment to UNICEF this year, BTS and Big Hit–a South Korean Entertainment company BTS has their label under — will have also donated over $1 million to UNICEF, along with proceeds from the sale of “Love Myself” merchandise and a portion of profit from “Love Myself” album sales. With support from ARMY and many other valuable donors, BTS has been able to spread their message through their music.

BTS is creating the standard for many artists. With their fandom growing everyday, BTS will be dominating the next generation of the music industry and continuing to break down barriers and stereotypes.

Adaley Perez is the President of the Journalism and Media club at Making Waves Academy in Richmond.