Profile of BTS: The Reigning King Who Overcame Numerous Challenges (2024 updated)

Before reaching their position today, BTS took a long path from nothingness to greatness. Here is a comprehensive look into this outstanding group.

tegamiMarch 19, 2024Last Updated: March 19, 2024

6 minutes read

BTS (방탄소년단) is a 7-member boy group formed under Big Hit Music (now an agency under HYBE Labels). Formed in 2013 in a relatively unknown agency of the time, BTS became the epitome of zero to hero in K-pop,

Biography of BTS

Group name: BTS
Debut date: 13/06/2013
Company: Big Hit Music, HYBE Labels
Total member: 7
Members: Jin, SUGA, j-hope, RM, Jimin, V, Jungkook
Fandom name: ARMY
Official color: Purple

Special information about BTS

The group’s name “BTS” is an acronym for the Korean expression “Bangtan Sonyeondan” (방탄소년단), which translates to “Bulletproof Boy Scouts”. This means that BTS would block out “bullets” (stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations targeting adolescents) and protect the values and ideals of today’s adolescents.

However, in 2017, it was announced that alongside “Bangtan Sonyeondan”, BTS will also be an acronym for “Beyond The Scene”, meaning that BTS will keep going beyond the realities they are facing.

Now a top group not only in the K-pop scene but also globally, BTS’s defining characteristic has to be the group’s music. Initially rooted in hip hop, BTS songs have since evolved to a wide variety of genres. Additionally, the group’s music is known to have tackled various personal and social themes, such as mental health, youth troubles, loss, individualism, and more, instead of focusing on romance.

Another key element to BTS’ success is the group’s involvement in their music. Particularly, members often participate in the concept and music creation process, even early on.

BTS Fandom

ARMY or A.R.M.Y (아미; short for “Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth”) is BTS’s official fandom name. This name was officially established on July 9, 2013, and is directly linked to BTS due to the two name’s association with the military.

It is known that if BTS’s current logo is the door from the group’s viewpoint, the symbol for ARMY is a door on the fan’s viewpoint, showing that fans are waiting and welcoming BTS on the opposite side no matter what door BTS opens.

Youtube: BANGTANTV, HYBE LABELS
Instagram: @bts.bighitofficial
Twitter: @BTS_twt, @BTS_twt
TikTok: @bts_official_bighit

BTS Awards

BTS have received many awards and honors, including 15 Melon Music Awards, 15 Mnet Asian Music Awards, 14 Golden Disc Awards 12 Seoul Music Awards, 10 Gaon Chart Music Awards, 4 Billboard Music Awards (first Korean group), 4 Korean Music Awards, and one American Music Award (first Korean group).

In 2013-2014, BTS was recognized as “Rookie of the Year” (or Best New Artist) at several Korean awards ceremonies like the Gaon Chart Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards (GDA), Melon Music Awards (MMA), and Seoul Music Awards (SMA).

The group later gained prevalence in 2016-2017, swepting major album and artist awards at Asia Music Awards (AAA), Golden Disc Awards (GDA), Hanteo Awards, Melon Music Awards (MMA), Seoul Music Awards (SMA).

BTS started winning at international music awards, particularly those in the states in 2017 (Top Social Artist at Billboard Music Awards), and even earned grammar nominations starting from 2021.

BTS has basically established many “firsts” for K-pop in the international market, and has never failed to sweep major awards whenever they are active.

Controversies

Despite their impressive achievements, BTS hasn’t been immune to controversy. Here’s a look at some of their most notable “scandals”:

Jin’s Condom Controversy: In 2014, fans spotted a box of condoms in a photo of Jin, sparking various speculations. However, as rumors spread, Big Hit released an official statement, affirming that while there was a box of condom in the photo, it was a gift from fans
“Sajaegi” Controversy: When BTS released their 3rd mini album “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1”, they surpassed BIGBANG’s “Made” in terms of physical sales, which leads to “sajaegi” (faking sales to a high number) rumors. However, BTS’s agency denied all accusations, and BTS’s popularity was growing rapidly at the time, so the sales did not seem unreasonable.
Plagiarism Accusations: In 2015, a Twitter user claimed that BTS’s RM copied lyrics from himself and another. In response, RM apologized and explained that he wrote a lot of lyrics based on books, movies, interviews, and letters, and made the mistake of not confirming the source when he quoted, leading to the alleged plagiarism. The original accuser has since decided to forgive RM and even sent a formal apology.
Misogyny: In 2013, Suga published a questionable post, where the phrase “찍어버림” can be translated to “take a photo” or “hit”, leading to netizens accusing the male idol of being overly aggressive. In addition, the lyrics of BTS’s 2014 song “War of Hormone” also faced accusations of being misogynistic due to lyrics like “women are the best gift” and “wear high heels more often”. Finally, RM’s mixtape “Joke” released in 2015 also fell under similar fire.
Jimin’s A-bomb T-shirt: Back in 2018, Jimin was spotted wearing a T-shirt that depicts the bombing of Japan during World War II. As a result, BTS was removed from a scheduled appearance on a Japanese TV program and received heavy criticisms from Japanese people. However, the designer of said T-shirt explained that the A-bomb image was not to mock Japan, but to show the truth and mention how Korea’s liberation come after Japan’s surrender in the World War
Suga’s use of Jim Jone’s speech: In 2020, Suga was accused of using the voice of Jim Jones – a notorious massacre leader of the United States, in the track “What Do You Think” from his mixtape “D-2”. In the end, Big Hit had to release an official statement apologizing for the careless use. According to the company, Jim Jones’ speech was selected as a vocal sample “without any special intent” by the song’s producer (not Suga), who was unaware of the speaker’s identity.
Jungkook’s “Itaewon” incident: Back in 2020, Jungkook, alongside 97-line friends NCT’s Jaehyun, SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu, and ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo, was reported to have gone to a bar in Itaewon when Korea was employing social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While all idols involved have issued apologies and it was later clarified that the incident happened when life has mostly returned to normal in Korea, Jungkook ended up as the most criticized due to his popularity.
RM’s “Bad Religion”: In 2023, RM came under fire from the Muslim community due to sharing Frank Ocean’s “Bad Religion”, which allegedly contains various “Islamophobic” messages, on his Instagram. RM has since directly addressed this controversy, stating that he never has any intention of disparaging any religion.
V’s dating rumor with BLACKPINK’s Jennie: In 2022, various alleged “leaked photos” of V and BLACKPINK’s Jennie were spreaded through online communities and SNS, sparking dating rumors between the two. Later on, the “couple” was allegedly spotted together on a “Paris date”, dating fuel to the ongoing rumors. However, while V and Jennie’s side both remain silent throughout this, there have been reports of the two breaking up.
Jimin’s controversial encore: In 2023, Jimin drew mixed reactions for his live encore stage on the Korean music show “M Countdown”. In particular, the BTS member sang with a wavering pitch and rather unstable voice, leading to criticisms from some audiences.