BTS moving towards second chapter

BTS moving towards second chapter
Photo Courtesy of BigHit Music

Band continues to celebrate 10th anniversary

BTS is celebrating their tenth anniversary. Debuted in 2013 with their first album 2 Cool 4 Skool, BTS has been venturing into uncharted territories and breaking numerous records.

BTS made their debut with “No More Dream,” the lead single of the project, in 2013. The band swept the rookie awards for the first couple years, and began to rise to stardom with their third mini album, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 1 in 2015. After successfully wrapping up the “School Trilogy” with albums—2 Cool 4 Skool, O!RUL8,2?, and Skool Luv Affair—BTS tapped into the theme of “youth” through The most beautiful moment in life series (“Youth Series”) that conveyed profound messages they could relate to at the time. Later in 2015, BTS made their first entrance in Billboard 200 with The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 2, expanding their global reach.

Since then, BTS hasn’t slowed down, and grabbed all kinds of “first” titles in every path they took. In 2017, BTS became the first Korean artist to win an award at Billboard Music Awards (BBMA) and to perform solo at the American Music Awards (AMA). In 2020, the band’s mega hit song “Dynamite” made the group the first Korean artist to be ranked at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, and “Life Goes On” became the first song in Korean lyrics to top the chart in Billboard charts’ 62-year history then. The group now has a total of six songs that topped the chart, including “Butter,” “Permission to Dance,” “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” with Jason Derulo and “My Universe” with Coldplay. They also hold six No. 1 records on Billboard 200 with albums Love Yourself 轉 ‘Tear’, Love Yourself 結 ‘Answer’, Map of the Soul: Persona, Map of the Soul: 7, Be and Proof.

BTS is also the first Korean act to be nominated at the Grammy Awards for three consecutive years, and performed solo two years in a row. The group won a number of categories at the BBMAs for six consecutive years, and the AMAs for five consecutive years including Artist of the Year in 2021, validating their title as true global pop icons.

BTS are also known for their global influence for spreading positive messages around the world as “Voices of Generation.” In 2018, 2020 and 2021, BTS participated in the United Nations General Assembly to make a speech, representing the global youth. In 2021, they were appointed as Special presidential envoy for future generations and culture. In 2022, they became the first Korean artist to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes and diversity with the US President at the White House.

BTS began their second chapter with the members’ solo projects alongside group works. The members of BTS has been unveiling their solo projects that show their own colors, sharing their music and characters on their own terms.

Recently, the septet released their new single “Take Two” as a seven-piece group. The title of the song, “Take Two,” suggests BTS’ moving on to their second chapter. Through the song, BTS look back on their decade-long journey, and picture the forthcoming future together with their fans, Army. The septet sings their sincere gratitude and candid feelings toward Army.

In celebration of the band’s monumental tenth anniversary, BTS 10th Anniversary Festa (2023 BTS Festa) is taking place everywhere, as the slogan “BTS Presents Everywhere” suggests. Fans can enjoy various online and offline events.

On June 3rd, the online event commenced with a virtual concert called BTS Online Concert Weekend in two parts throughout the day. The first part included stages from fan events such as BTS 5th Muster (Magic Shop) in Seoul’ and BTS 2021 Muster Sowoozoo, and the second part re-visited 2020 virtual concert BTS Map of the Soul On:E.

On June 12th, the offline event kicked off with various landmark lighting events, turning the whole city of Seoul into a festival in purple lights. The landmarks include: Namsan Seoultower, Sebitseom, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Lotte World Tower, Seoul City Hall, Banpo Bridge, World Cup Bridge, Yanghwa Bridge, etc.

The celebration continues with domestic and global billboard advertising. The domestic locations include places in Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, Daegu and Goyang. The global billboard advertising includes places in: NY (D221), and LA (Marriott LA Live) in the US; Tokyo (Shibuya Dogenzaka Crossroad Vision, Ainz & Tulpe Shinjuku East Exit Vision, The ARGYLE aoyama cross point) and Osaka (Kokumin Shinsaibashi BIG digital signage, Shinsaibashi OPA Vision Shinsaibashi OPA Vision, UMEDA HEP Front Vision) in Japan.

2023 BTS Festa will be completed with a grand finale with an offline event in Yeouido, Seoul on June 17th. The event will be filled with exhibitions and experiential programs for the public as well as fans. Furthermore, RM will host an open radio show called
“It’s 5 pm, and This is Kim Namjun.” to communicate with fans on-site at the Army Lounge from 5-6 pm KST. Then the event will end with a beautiful firework show accompanied by BTS’ music and Jung Kook’s voice narration from 8:30-9 pm KST. The radio show will be live streamed via Weverse Live (simulcast live) and Tiktok (delayed streaming in vertical), and the firework event will also be live streamed via Weverse Live, YouTube and TikTok (all simulcast live).

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

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