Celebrating 10 Years Of BTS Being So Damn Great
June 13 marked 10 years since the world’s biggest group debuted. Since then, they’ve sold out arenas the world over, broken countless records and stolen many hearts — including mine.
It’s BTS’s birthday! June 13 officially marked 10 years since the group debuted, a huge achievement. I’ve been a fan for four of those years, ever since ‘Boy With Luv’ came out in 2019. Falling down the Bangtan rabbit hole is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been a fangirl. My main fandoms used to be centred around TV and movies, though, and I was only a casual fan of musicians.
BTS changed all that, converting me to a fully-fledged stan in a matter of days. I know many of the people in my life thought I had mildly lost the plot, and to this day some still seem pretty puzzled by the whole fandom thing. It probably doesn’t help that I turn into a babbling incoherent mess at the mere thought of BTS at times. To paraphrase Jane Austen (a crossover that totally makes sense, okay), if I loved them less, I might be able to talk about it more.
But! Since it is their 10th anniversary, and this is literally my place to TALK ABOUT KPOP, I wanted to try to nail down some of the reasons why I love BTS so much — I’m sure you can relate.
BTS’ music
Obvious, I know! But for all of BTS’ other wonderful qualities (which I’ll get to, don’t worry), without good music to back it up there wouldn’t be much for me to get invested in as a fan. Thankfully, they have a huuuuge discography — a prolific 10 years’ worth — which is rich and diverse. From the start, the group themselves have been involved in the creative process, particularly the rapline and leader RM.
Each member brings their own sensibilities and talent to their songs, and it all comes together to create something really special. Between group songs, sub-units, and solos, there’s so much to explore. While ‘Boy With Luv’ holds a special place in my heart, my all-time fave song of theirs is ‘Spring Day’, a beautiful exploration of friendship loss full of enough yearning to make me tear up on most listens.
BTS’ performances
BTS take it to a whole nother level when performing live. Their live vocals and dancing are incredible. Their performances always add layers and dimension to their songs, whether that be through the choreography, visuals, storytelling, or just the charisma and uniqueness the members bring in person (often, it’s all of the above).
I’ll never forget the visceral reaction I had seeing them perform ‘Dionysus’, a B-side they were promoting alongside ‘Boy With Luv’, when I first became a fan. It was exhilarating. Another performance of that song — performed as part of a 37-minute(!!) extravangaza at the 2019 Melon Music Awards — remains my all-time favourite performance from the group.
BTS’ emotional intelligence
After listening to BTS’ back catalogue and trying to catch as many performances as I could, one of the first things I did while falling down the BTS rabbit hole was to watch Burn the Stage. At that time, it was the first and only documentary the group had released (they’ve since done several more).
Burn the Stage offers a a behind-the-scenes look at the group’s massive Wings tour in 2017, and what really struck me about it was BTS’s openness and rejection of traditional tropes of toxic masculinity. They frankly expressed their emotions — to the audience, and to each other — and processed them together. One of my favourite scenes in the documentary is when the whole group sits down to resolve a fight between V and Jin — showcasing a maturity and vulnerability that’s still rarely seen from men in mainstream pop culture. BTS’ emotional intelligence is on full display throughout their other documentaries, in the many casual livestreams the members do, in interviews and in speeches — no matter what they do, they consistently showcase sensitivity, empathy, and wisdom. Their Class of 2020 virtual commencement speech is one great example of this.
BTS’ commitment to growth
Nowadays it’s wild to consider BTS being anything other than the hugely popular powerhouse they are today, but they were actually underdogs for a long time. They’ve grown and changed a lot over the years, but one thing’s stayed the same: they put in the work. As individuals and as a group, they are dedicated to constantly improving, and committed to excellence. It’s one of the main reasons they’ve been able to achieve what they have.
Their wonderful music, their stunning performances, and their humanity — all of this is a result of them taking aim at those things, and then putting in the time and energy to make it happen. They talked about their drive in their 2022 Festa dinner; they don’t want to stagnate, as people or as artists, and seeing the different and deliberate ways they evolve is fascinating and inspiring.
BTS’ humour
No matter what they do, BTS always find a way to make it entertaining. I should know; I’ve spent many hours of my life watching them do groceries, cook, clean, and, er, even sleep. The moment I knew I was a goner for them was when I was watching an episode of their variety show Run BTS where they were just wandering around a supermarket getting supplies and I COULD NOT STOP SMILING.
I’m not just writing this because I’m hopelessly in love with them — they are genuinely very funny. You can see it in the many night show segments they’ve done, although Run BTS remains the best place for them to fully unleash their humour. There are so many incredible episodes, but if I had to choose just one as the funniest, I’d pick the ’Operation 007’ double episode. BTS shamelessly betraying one another is peak comedy.
BTS’ individuality
BTS often say “teamwork makes the dream work” and they’re living proof of that — they’re stronger than ever after 10 years together. But BTS are seven unique individuals, and the way they celebrate their differences is also one of their strengths.
Most of us have a “bias” — a member we gravitate towards. There’s kind of someone for everyone… unless you’re like me and are constantly bias-wrecked by each of them to the point that you give up on the idea of having a bias because they’re all so great in their own ways. In any case, it’s a lot of fun to see their seven different personalities and interests unfold — something that has become more and more clear in the solo-focused Chapter Two.
Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
BTS’ relationships with each other
Combine any pair or trio in BTS and it creates an interesting dynamic. They all bring out different sides of one another — both serious and silly — and it’s always captivating. More than anything, what’s clear through watching the many (many, many) hours of content the group have put out in the last 10 years, is that the seven members genuinely love each other. They aren’t afraid to show it, either, whether that be through physical affection, kind words, gifts, or thoughtful actions. Their bond is another example of how they exhibit non-toxic masculinity in a way that’s really refreshing and special.
The respect BTS have for fans
ARMY is predominantly made up of marginalised groups — girls and women, LGBTQIA+ people, and people of colour. The kind of people that “the culture” as a whole doesn’t respect, and who some acts infuriatingly try to distance themselves from. That’s never the case with BTS — they are loud and proud about their fandom, pushing back when people show even a tiny amount of disrespect to fans. They’re also always honest, appreciative, and respectful in their communications with ARMY, be it through social media, their music, their concerts, or their other projects.
BTS’ (outrageous) good looks
I mean, this isn’t the MAIN reason I love BTS, but it certainly doesn’t hurt that they’re all incredibly, outrageously good looking. They’re hot and they’re not afraid to show it. Exhibit A. Exhibit B. Exhibit C. Exhibit D. Exhibit E. Exhibit F. Exhibit G. Exhibit — okay I’ll stop now but YOU GET THE IDEA.
The friendships BTS have brought into my life
Being a fan of BTS has made my life richer in so many ways (well, except my bank account.. RIP), but the best and most important way is in the friendships I’ve made with fellow fans. Whether it’s people I’ve met online or people I already knew who fell into the fandom in tandem with me, our mutual love for BTS has brought us closer and created some of the most meaningful friendships I’ve ever had. No other fandom (and I’ve been in many) has connected me with other people in such a real and tangible way as ARMY.
I might be biased, but I think it’s because the best kind of people love BTS. So, more than anything, on their 10th anniversary, I want to say thank you, BTS.
‘Take Two’ by BTS: In honour of 10 years together, BTS released a digital single ‘Take Two’, which is a sweet and moving love letter to fans. It references their previous work in ways that only a fan would really get, making it all the more meaningful. And it comes at a time when we weren’t expecting any new group music until, like 2025. A win (and tears) all around.
‘Jump’ by P1Harmony: ‘Jump’ is the fun EDM-influenced title track from P1Harmony’s new EP Harmony : All In, the final entry in their Harmony trilogy. The six-track mini album is a frothy and fun listen — I especially enjoy the upbeat ‘Love Me For Me’ and the appropriately-titled banger ‘Heartbeat Drum’.
‘The Feeling’ by SHINee: Another group celebrating an anniversary (an impressive 15 years), SHINee unveiled the music video for their pre-release track ‘The Feeling’ off their upcoming album Hard on the 15th birthday of SHINee World, their fandom. It marks the first full group comeback in two years, and ‘The Feeling’ is a fittingly exciting and energetic way to mark the occasion and pay tribute to fans.
Since this week is all about celebrating BTS, I asked some fans to share their thoughts and feelings on which of the group’s songs were the best and most meaningful to them. They came through with an excellent selection:
‘Black Swan’
“I became a fan in 2019, so ‘Black Swan’ was the first comeback I was able to fully immerse myself in. It encapsulates everything I love about BTS’s music — personal and introspective lyrics, their willingness to explore darker or painful subjects, and their seven different but equally beautiful voices. And on top of that, it gave us some of my all time favourite live performances (if you haven’t seen the MMA performance watch it now). Sometimes it feels like the last perfect thing we got to fully enjoy before the pandemic. PS: Hybe — please give us the orchestral version.” — Melanie
‘Idol’
“It’s unapologetic about being them, which makes me feel okay being me. And it has perfect choreo of course! Fast and happy movement. Plus the MV visual is 😍😍😍.” — Ra
‘134340’
“This song has everything for me: a beat I can’t help but groove to, genius lyrics (how can a song inspired by Pluto be this damn good???) and such a smooth melody (that chorus is chef’s kiss). Plus SUGA’s ‘annyeong’ is engraved on my soul.“ — Shivaun
‘Epiphany’
‘Epiphany’ is a song that really took hold of my heart and changed how I think about myself. In it, Jin sings ‘Though I’m not perfect, I’m so beautiful’ (credit to doolset bangtan for her translation). It made me reflect on how I can be pretty unkind to myself and even now when I listen to it, I’m reminded all over again to be my authentic self, to love every part of me (even when it’s hard!). It’s a gorgeous song with such an important message. I loved the song as soon as I heard it. But what really cemented ‘Epiphany’ as magical was when I saw footage of it being performed in Brazil (as part of BangBangCon 2021). The audience sang along every single word at the top of their lungs and it’s stuck with me: thousands of ARMYs singing with Jin, ‘I’m the one I should love in this world’. It’s one of the most beautiful and powerful moments I’ve seen as a fan.” — Sam
‘Serendipity’
“Jimin’s delicate, high vocals as he sings ‘just let me love you’ make you feel comforted yet fragile and vulnerable at the same time. The serendipity of love made possible by fate and life’s obstacles reminds you to cherish who you love. I played this a lot when I was pregnant with my daughter.” — Anna
‘Moving On’
“One song that has endured as a favourite since I first heard it, and that always gives me a sense of warmth and love tinged with melancholy, is ‘Moving On’. Released in 2015, it has the boys recounting with some nostalgia their trainee and early days as BTS living in their cramped dorm, from which they are now ‘moving on’ to a bigger home — and to growing success as musicians. As often happens with BTS songs, the lyrics read like a poignant poem about youth — about growing up, letting go of the past, and feeling hopeful for the future. It brings a lot of comfort to me to listen to the boys reminisce about those days, but it also has a broader message about accepting changes as part of life that has helped me face big life transitions with more peace and acceptance.” — Elly
‘Save Me’
“I was so lost in 2016 and in a bad place mentally. The song came up randomly on my YouTube algorithm and I felt like they were talking to me, telling me not to give up. RM’s ‘thank you for becoming us’ is still one of my favourite lyrics. The song really saved me from myself.” — Felicia
‘Paradise’
“For me, ‘Paradise’ is a classic example of how BTS creates bops and then bowls you over with the lyrics. It has a deep R&B groove, but the song itself is about giving yourself permission to pause during the competitive race of life and to reevaluate your dreams, what you truly want, and what brings you happiness. In a post-pandemic world that is (at least a little) more focused on work-life balance and prioritising mental health, this sentiment perhaps doesn’t feel revolutionary — but this song was released in 2018.
When I first read the English translation of the Korean lyrics (which question whether lifelong dreams might actually be a debt or a burden, and reassure the listener that they’re doing perfectly fine no matter where they are in life) I was gobsmacked. It’s a song I return to over and over again, both because I love the sound and vibe, and because sometimes I just need to be reminded that it’s okay to stop running. Plus, I’ll never tire of the line, ‘every breath you exhale is already in the paradise’.” — Bethany
‘Spring Day’
“Like many other people, I discovered BTS in 2020 (the regret I have at that not happening sooner is a whole other story). We were in the middle of the pandemic and I had just moved cities. I was totally alone for the first time in my life. The message of ‘Spring Day’ in particular carried me through that time — the promise that spring would return and with it, those I love. I left behind close friends who were also becoming ARMY, and I’ve no doubt BTS are a huge part of the reason we were able to stay so connected despite being cities apart. I listen to ‘Spring Day’ often now, as we’re waiting for the members to complete military service. The long winter will pass, and ARMY and BTS will be together again.” — Michelle
‘Pied Piper’
“It’s hot. That is all.” — Hayley
With love,
Jenna