The Eve of FESTA--Wishes for several more Six Years' of BTS miracle

Six Years of Blood, Sweat, Tears to the Shine, Dream, Smile now

With all the records BTS has made during the 6 years since debut, the world has been trying to replicate the miracles they created. Regardless of the success or practicability, the great amounts of imitations and the sacrifices made in compensation to the world fame attempt have made it self-evident: the unprecedented miracles are admirable.

But what are the miracles on the foreground? By definition, the word miracle shows incredibility in the happening of human world. However, by reflection and back-tracing, the great accomplishments of theirs are not undeserved. Some came with years of creation after digging into their hearts, life and surroundings; some followed their passion and taste in music, hip-hop and dance into the tough training; some joined the team after voluntary participation in the keen competition of Korean show biz audition……their success is not a fairy tale of a pauper turning into a prince, but a kingdom built up stone by stone.

BTS at the Grammy's, 2019

In summer 2013, with the average age of 19, the seven boys debuted with the song No More Dream, using their passion and power to show their courage and persistence toward their dreams. The strong hip-hop rhythm echoed with the beating of young hearts. However, the great environment of Korean show biz did not identify with their music style—partly idol stage, with beautiful vocals and good looks; partly hip-pop, which, on the contrary, features ego-centric rappers with no modification. Despite their industrious seeding in various social networks even long before their debut, still not too many bought the rookies’ album. Fortunately, the producer company, Big Hit Entertainment insisted on allowing them to show this unique style, while at the same time, imposed rigorous training on the young dreamer-artists. Members were even sent to various countries to learn skills of a higher level—singing, dancing, composing, sound and film editing, etc. At the end of 2014, they tried to breakthrough by debuting in Japan and world touring among 18 cities around 13 countries.

In 2014-5, their unique style gradually gained attention through the two albums named “Most Beautiful Moments in Life”. Strong rhythms of raps co-exist with heart-touching melodies, and most of the lyrics are reflections of the seven minds—sweet inspiration from nature, desires and reflections on love, life struggle in human society, and continuous self-dialogues. The natural, raw, unpretentious appearance of their music brought much comfort to the pressure-bitten Korean society but still, they didn’t break through in album sales, due to the strong stereotype in the circle. They didn’t dream big, only wishing their music to be heard.

Not just heard by the in-circle, the boys also decided to continue the path set out in 2015, in keeping the messages of their songs international, starting with small concerts in the US. It’s literally inconceivable to know that the now world-renowned heartthrob boy group used to tout their own concert tickets, begging people to come from all corners of the streets. In those struggles, however, the boys grew, of course, into someone who understood fame does not come in cheap. This year, 2019, coming back to the same city, LA, the boys feel comforted to see the fully booked stadium, and they have proudly performed two awe-inspiring, powerful sold-out shows.

Besides the US, the boys also started to tour the world. They constantly gave their fans different stage performances, surprising the audience again and again whenever they showed up. Concerts are never dull nor predictable even in the eleventh show. The sincerity and conscientiousness in caring about the feelings of fans are unforeseen in other performers or groups.

Despite the first two obscure years when they were stumbling along, partly because of the mixture of two music genres, partly due to the boys’ ambiguous self-identity, the group started to snatch minor victory from the jaws of defeat in April, 2015, with the album “Most Beautiful Moments in Life, Pt. 1.” BTS won five No. 1s on Korean record charts. Seven months later, the second album of the same series, with the theme song “Run,” won another five No. 1s. In-between these two, members also released their personal creations sporadically, amply showing featured talents of each boy.

2016 was the time when they became full-fledged and ready to take flight. With the perfect synergy of the beautiful chorus and their synchronized dance moves, the boys brought to the notice of the world their passionate concerns about people via their strong music sense, and issues like school bullying, sex slaves of Japanese soldiers in WW2, and the sunken Vessel Sewor accident, were thus brought to the spotlight of the world via their songs or MVs. The year saw another two successful albums: “Most Beautiful Moments in Life, Special,” and the regular album “Wings.” Their MVs thus became all-kills and they won prevalent recognition and big awards in both Melon Music Award (MMA) and Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA). In the award reception speech, they shed sweet tears and group hugged tighter after all the sweat in the past four years.

Through the fans’ voluntary devotion, the worldwide fandom grew immense. Consequently, BTS broke the consecutive winning of Justin Bieber on the Top Social Artist Award in Billboard Music Award (BMA) in 2017, becoming the first Asian group winning this award. But it wasn’t until they gained recognition of the Grand Acclaim Award at MMA in Nov. 2017 did they feel the truth happening: the world has really noticed them! Better yet, BTS not only has kept being the Top Social Artist till now, but also surprises the world by winning the Top Duo/Group Award in BMA this year, hitting a higher note on the many world records they have gloriously snatched earlier.

          Against the sheer perfection of their artistic performances, BTS has also put up variety shows like Bon Voyage or Run! BTS to amuse their fans and demonstrate the everyday aspects of the seven star-artists, so as to diminish the feeling of distance. Besides, members take turns doing V-live shows and having real-time interaction with the fans. As addressed in the song "Boy with Love," they continuously try to meet the stated message: Though I'm flying high, I don't want to miss your eyes; now let me fly back to you using the wings you have given me. 
         Meanwhile, the great fandom, called Army World, is voluntarily finding new things to celebrate every day, to the extent of making an encyclopedia of their own: the Armypedia. BTS has become ubiquitously successful. This month, let’s join the celebration of their hard-earned titles on the sixth anniversary of their debut.

Not becoming an Army until Mar. 2018, I failed to take part in the whole six years in the past, but I do wish to go along with you, Worldwide Army, for several more six years in the future. Let's shine, dream, and smile together with Bangtan in our microcosmos.