The official biography of the K-pop supergroup BTS, titled Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS,’ made history. It topped ‘The New York Times Best Sellers’ list. This marks the first time a book by a Korean author went to No. 1 on the prestigious list. The book’s success underscores the immense global influence of BTS and its captivating content.
Co-authored by BTS and Myeongseok Kang, the book traces the group’s remarkable journey since their debut. It secured the top spot in the non-fiction hardcover category and the Combined Print & E-Book Non-fiction category, according to the list published by The New York Times on July 19.
The success of Beyond the Story extends beyond the U.S. market. The book dominated the weekly bestseller lists of domestic online bookstores like Aladin and Yes24 as soon as the Korean version became available for pre-order. The book soared to the top of Kyobo Book Center’s comprehensive weekly bestseller list upon release.
Internationally, Beyond the Story topped Amazon’s bestseller lists in several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It even set a new record for the highest number of pre-orders on Brazil’s Amazon.
An Intimate Look at BTS
Beyond the Story pulls back the curtain on BTS’s seven members—RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—and their rise to become 21st-century pop icons.
The book also touches on the group’s struggles with industry disdain, performance flubs, and public bullying in their early days. Despite these challenges, BTS built a dedicated fan base through their authentic and intimate vlogs, a departure from the highly produced content typical of the K-pop industry.
The smashing success of Beyond the Story is a testament to BTS‘s influence and connection with ARMY. Their impact extends beyond music, breaking barriers worldwide.
The biography’s success also highlights the growing global interest in K-pop and Korean culture. As BTS continues to make waves in the international scene, the book serves as a valuable record of the group’s journey, offering readers a deeper understanding of their contribution to music. — K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: The book has been translated into several languages, including English and Filipino. Source: YouTube/Arirang’s official YouTube channel.