"Even in the distant future, never forget the you of now", sing the princes of K-pop BTS (South Korea) in their single "Tomorrow".
It is just one of the many lines written by the record holders that resonated with international audiences. They certainly haven't forgotten their 'you now', always changing and yet able to remain true to themselves. This constant striving for excellence, combined with an upbeat sound and jaw-dropping choreography, is the secret ingredient in what is arguably the hit band of the moment.
Since they rose to international fame in 2018, these seven dancers, singers, and composers have stepped up more and more.
| REGISTRY | ACHIEVEMENT | DATE |
| First K-pop act to reach No.1 on the US albums chart | First place | 02 june 2018 |
| First K-pop act to reach No.1 on the US Artist 100 | First place | 02 june 2018 |
| First K-pop group to reach the Top 10 on the US singles chart | First Place | 02 june 2018 |
| Highest annual earnings for a K-pop band (current year) | $50 million (£35.4 million) | 01 june 2020 |
| Most viewers for a music concert live stream on a bespoke platform | 756,000 total number | 14 june 2020 |
| Most tickets sold for a livestreamed concert (current year) | 756.000 tickets | 14 june 2020 |
| Most weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Social 50 chart | 189 weeks | 01 august 2020 |
| Most "daesang" ("grand prize") awards won at the Mnet Asian Music Awards | 13 total number | 06 december 2020 |
| Best-selling album in South Korea | 4.440.818 units sold | 01 march 2021 |
| Most Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards won by a music group | 5 total number | 13 march april 2021 |
| Most weeks on the US Hot 100 by a K-pop track | 32 weeks | 10 april 2021 |
| Most weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart | 18 weeks | 10 april 2021 |
| Most streamed act on Spotify (group) | 16.300.000.000 total number | 27 april 2021 |
However, BTS haven’t just stuck to music.
The record-breaking band have also released four films, the most recent being 2020’s Break the Silence: The Movie, which bagged the MTV Award for Best Music Documentary in May 2021.
The record-breaking band have also starred in several TV series (including their own BTS Run!), as well as a 15-episode web show. They even had a series that helped people learn Korean, which unsurprisingly was named Learn Korean with BTS.
Their popularity grew hand in hand with awareness and passion for "K-culture", which spread across the web like wildfire.
The country is, now more than ever, one of the global trendsetters with other aspects of South Korean culture such as K-beauty and K-dramas also rising in popularity.
Ever since their debut in 2013, these seven artists have been rewriting the rules of the music world – all while largely singing in a langue many of their fans don’t understand.
Whatever the future has in store for Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook – and it’s a safe bet that will include a whole lot more records – the Bangtan Boys’ legacy in the pop culture annals is assured.
