Why BTS Is Popular

BTS, or better known in Korea as Bangtan Sonyeondan, has taken the US of A by storm. If you haven't heard of them, I'll give you a summary.

BTS, the South Korean boy group, made their debut as a seven-member group on June 13, 2013, under Big Hit Entertainment. They have many names that they are known as; Bangtan Boys, Bulletproof Boy Scouts, Beyond the Scene, and Bangtan Sonyeondan. They have 3 full-length albums, three Japanese albums, and six mini-albums. Their hit song "DNA" paved the way for their success in America. They became the first K-Pop act to perform at the American Music Awards, they performed on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, were nominated as Top Social Artist at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards and now have been nominated for a Grammy. Since then, they have collaborated with many artists such as Nicki Minaj, The Chainsmokers, and Steve Aoki.

But why are they so popular?

1. The Members

As I stated earlier, BTS has seven members in it. Now, that might be a lot than you are used to, but that's how it is. The members are RM, V, Jin, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga, and Jungkook. The members' personalities and appearance are some of the factors that make them likable. Not only that, but they compose and write most, if not all, of their songs. They are divided into vocalists, rappers, and dancers, making the group very versatile.

2. Their Music

Needless to say, BTS' music is good. To most people, it doesn't matter if it is in a different language. All that matters is that it sounds good. The members and the company work hard to make their music great and relatable. Their earlier music hit hard on teenage problems, like school and not fitting in, but their newer hits focus more on finding yourself and love.

3. The Fans

The group actually has an official fanbase name, ARMY. The BTS ARMY had a lot to do with the group being successful in America. They vote and stream their music videos like you can't imagine, which really helps the artists flourish. That being said, there are many "fan wars" that happen. This leads new fans to think that the group is problematic, as well as their fans. Most ARMYs are nice, supporting and get along with other fandoms, and some don't. But that is basically how fanbases are anyways—they'll always have fans that start unnecessary fights.

4. They're Different

The concept of a foreign group, in general, is really different from what Americans usually hear. Introducing foreign groups is risky, but it has worked. Before BTS, K-Pop groups Girls' Generation and Wonder Girls had their debuts in the US. After BTS, a new concept group named NCT made their way into America, starring on late night shows and appearing at an award show. Out of all of these artists, though, BTS has been the group to really have K-Pop recognized.

I hope that after reading this you decide to check them out if you haven't already. They are an amazing group of boys who are extremely talented. If you want to know more about them, there is a video that you can watch here.