Category: BTS

Bangtansonyeondan—more popularly known as BTS—is a South Korean boy band who debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE). The group comprises seven members: Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Together, they have become one of the world’s most popular and successful music groups, with a devoted fan base known as the “ARMY.”

BTS first gained attention in South Korea with their debut single “No More Dream,” but it wasn’t until their hit song “Blood Sweat & Tears” that they truly broke through to the mainstream. Since then, they have released many successful albums, including “Love Yourself: Tear,” “Map of the Soul: 7,” and “BE (Deluxe Edition).”

One thing that sets BTS apart from other K-pop groups is their dedication to creating music with meaningful lyrics. Many of their songs address social issues, such as mental health and self-love, and the group has earned a lot of praise for their positive influence on young people.

In addition to their music, BTS is known for their energetic and visually stunning live performances. They have toured extensively, performing in arenas and stadiums worldwide, and have won numerous awards for their concerts.

BTS has also made a name for themselves outside of the music industry. They have been featured in several magazines, including Rolling Stone and Time, and have appeared on famous US talk shows such as The Late Show with James Corden and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The success of BTS has made them role models for many fans, and they are known for their philanthropy and charitable work. Together with UNICFE, they launched their Love Myself campaign in 2018 to promote self-acceptance and end violence against children and young people.

BTS is a global phenomenon that has significantly impacted the music industry and beyond. Their talent, dedication, and positive message have earned them a massive and loyal fan base that continues to grow each day.

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TikTok and the Dance Challenge Insanity in Today’s K-Pop

I’m sure you’ve come across a ton of dance challenges the moment you open your TikTok account. In the K-pop world, the trend has been used to the point of exhaustion for some people. But then, it wasn’t exactly like this. Let’s look book at arguably a couple of the earliest uses of TikTok to amplify a song and one that has proven to still be effective despite the fatigue a lot of users have with the trend.

‘Any Song’ by Zico

We cannot talk about K-pop songs that have gone viral on TikTok without mentioning the song that started it all – Zico‘s Any Song. It’s not actually that this song was the first to have ever exploded on the platform, but the way the song utilized TikTok to bump up its popularity was at that time, quite new. Zico does not usually go to variety shows or promote his songs on music shows, so bringing his singles onto public consciousness solely depends on his reputation for releasing bops. Everybody knows that any Zico song would be a hit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiyxhaS_xwQ

However, the rapper did not leave anything to chance this time, as Any Song would be one of his last songs before his military enlistment last year. Thus, the marketing minds of KOZ Entertainment (which he is also CEO of) thought to use the power of this emerging social media platform to their advantage. So, they had a video of their CEO singing his song and doing the choreography with some of the biggest names in K-pop and posting them on his TikTok account. 

TikTok-verse caught on the craze of the song’s choreography, which was usually done in pairs as Zico did with his first two guests, MAMAMOO‘s Hwasa and Chungha. The song was already a hit, with its release very well-timed as it only had to battle on the charts with one other major release – Red Velvet‘s Psycho. However, its virality was aided a million times with what then became the #AnySongChallenge. 

@kozico0914

#AnysongChallenge#ZICO #지코 #화사 #아무노래 #Anysong#아무노래나틀어주세요#KOZ

♬ 오리지널 사운드 – kozico0914 – kozico0914

The trend became THE thing that even celebrities who meet Zico by chance posted themselves dancing with him on their own social media accounts. For example, 2NE1‘s Dara, who only met Zico at their common hairdresser’s, also did the challenge and posted the video on her Instagram. Ultimately, the TikTok craze spread to other social media platforms, with dancing pairs doing the Any Song choreography and posting their videos on their personal accounts. Since then, the song itself has also been used in the background of other TikTok videos, even those that do not involve people doing the dance challenge.    

‘Dumhdurum’ by Apink

If two songs that charted well were not enough to prove to the public that then-9-year-old girl group Apink had a successful change of image from teenybopper tweetums (from Mollayo to Five) to sophisticated elegance, the group released the third song in April 2020 to complete this trinity of “Apink is all grown-up” songs. And just like the group’s two previous releases, the song was successful in reminding the public that Apink has successfully transitioned to being more adult. Both the EP Look and the single Dumhdurum peaked at number 2 in the Gaon album and download charts, so it goes without saying the song was a hit. 

The song itself was a huge departure from the usual Apink fare. For one, lead vocal Namjoo opened the song, a responsibility that maknae Hayoung usually carries. Then, you can hear main vocalist Eunji spit lines in almost-rap cadence in the chorus. And things only got better with the song’s music video and live stages. The unique choreography of the song on its first 30 seconds alone had people trying it out for themselves, because why not? That’s what social media is for, isn’t it? To show to the world your skills in copying K-pop choreography less than a day after the live stage and dance practice videos are released? 

So, there’s this move when visual goddess Naeun sings her part in the first stanza, which has been referred to as “illusion choreography”. It is when Naeun combines her arms with Bomi, who until then was behind her. Their arms get tangled, then she’s free the moment she finishes her line. It got TikTokers so confused that they did the only thing they could do whenever they get confused with something – make a video out of it. Netizens shared clips demystifying the dance that reminded a lot of people of childhood games where kids tie their limbs in confusing knots. 

@jazlynebaybee

THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO SENT ME A LINK TO THIS SONG! ALSO THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO KINDLY ASKED ME TO ADD IT☺️ performed by @official_apink2011 on 4/13

♬ Dumhdurum – Apink

 

Alas, with success, is a bit of controversy ever far behind? A couple of  TikTokers posted a video of them doing the illusion choreography and not crediting the group or the choreography studio Freemind. When the Pink Pandas came out in full force in the video’s comments section, it was first turned off. Then, the post was taken down. After a couple of days, the video was re-posted with credits to Apink with a disclaimer that they didn’t know that it was a K-pop video. 

‘Permission to Dance’ by BTS

Any K-pop list these days won’t be complete without mentioning THE group of the moment year century, BTS. When the group’s third all-English single Permission to Dance came out, TikTok was already rife with a gazillion dance challenges, but obviously, there would always be room for RM and the group. After all, the music video for the song featured seemingly ordinary people dancing and performing sign language moves to the song, so it was practically a TikTok challenge waiting to happen. 

The HYBE marketing team wasted no time and collaborated with YouTube in issuing the #PermissiontoDanceChallenege. As with anything BTS-related, the trend spread outside the video-sharing website and reached other platforms, where ARMYs posted videos of them dancing to the song and posting them on TikTok. The challenge went full steam ahead with everyone from self-professed ARMYs to K-pop idols and even international celebrities joining the craze. Everyone from medical front liners to senior citizens and neighborhood ladies who miss their zumba group sessions and even the likes of Elton John rose up to the challenge. 

Inevitably, the song’s profile rose (well, come to think of it, anything BTS-related is bound to explode) and it peaked at number 1 in Billboard’s Hot 100 Charts. Back home, Permission to Dance won the group eight music show trophies and the song peaked at #3 in the Gaon Singles Charts. 

Now, almost every song released by idol groups would most likely have a TikTok challenge to accompany its release. Nothing beats organic popularity, of course, but if TikTok virality works, then who are we to stop its use in promoting the latest releases of our favorites?  

Featured Image: Screengrab from BTS – Permission to Dance Official Video

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5 Books Read by K-Pop Idols to Add to Your Reading List

RM, BTS's resident genius, reads "A Bigger Message: Conversations with David Hockney" by Martin Gayford" while preparing for a performance.

One might think that with their super busy schedules, idols won’t have time to even crack open a book. But, it turns out that there are a lot of bookworms among idols—and they love recommending new reads to fans! Check out these K-pop idols’ book recommendations, what they have read, or were spotted with:  

K-pop idols’ book recommendations 1: I Decided to Live as Me by Kim Soo Hyun

Read/recommended/spotted: BTS’s Jungkook

A collection of short essays, filled with nuggets of wisdom, seems to have intrigued BTS’ Jungkook.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed as you took your first steps into adulthood? Or maybe you’ve had days when you felt lost, insignificant, or worthless? Try reading I Decided to Live as Me, a collection of short essays by Kim Soo Hyun, to soothe your worries. The book is filled with nuggets of wisdom such as, “The person that you always have to respect is no one else but yourself.” This blunt, no-nonsense self-help book (peppered with cute illustrations that break up the seriousness of some of the topics) teaches important life lessons that will empower everyone to accept themselves for who they really are and live well. 

BTS’ golden maknae Jungkook was seen packing this book in his bag in the group’s travel variety show Bon Voyage season 3. Sales of the book increased almost immediately after the show was aired, as ARMYs became interested and began reading and recommending it to friends. 

K-pop idols’ book recommendations 2: Almond by Sohn Won Pyung

Read/recommended/spotted: BTS members RM, Suga, and J-Hope

Leader of BTS, RM often recommends the books he read and loved to ARMYs. And this one is RM approved!

The BTS members are certified book lovers! Leader RM, in particular, often recommends the books he read and loved to ARMYs. One such RM-approved book is Almond by Sohn Won Pyung. The story revolves around Yunjae, a boy born with a brain condition that makes it difficult for him to feel strong emotions like fear or anger. When he personally experiences violence and loss, he struggles to cope, until he forms a surprising bond with a new friend. It’s a touching story about growth, friendship, and love, all wrapped up in a slim volume.  

RM read this book at BTS In the Soop. Fellow members Suga and J-Hope were also seen reading the novel in the show. 

K-pop idols’ book recommendations 3: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Read/recommended/spotted: Super Junior’s Kyuhyun

This hefty, 400-plus page non-fiction book was ready by Super Junior’s Kyuhyun

Super Junior’s maknae and resident genius, Kyuhyun, also likes to indulge in reading during his downtime. One of his more recent reads is Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. This hefty, 400-plus page non-fiction book dives deep into the history of the homo sapiens—us, modern-day humans—and their motivations, innovations, and need for self-preservation. The idol brought this book with him to a solo staycation, as seen in his KYU TV channel on YouTube. 

Watch Kyuhyun’s staycation video below: 

K-pop idols’ book recommendations 4: Kim Ji Young, Born 1982 by Cho Nam Joo

Read/recommended/spotted: Red Velvet’s Irene

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam Joo is the story of Jiyoung, a 30-something year old woman, and her daily struggle against gender discrimination that’s present in every aspect of her life. This takes a toll on her mental health, and she slowly descends into madness. It’s a sobering story tackling pervasive misogyny, societal oppression, and what it means to live life as a woman. 

Feminist book Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 landed Red Velvet’s Irene in hot water.

Red Velvet’s Irene revealed in a fan meeting that she read the thought-provoking book, which got her into hot water with male fans. The book is branded as a “feminist” book, and some anti-feminists in Korea perceive the novel as inciting contempt for men. Netizens even posted photos of them cutting and burning Irene’s photocards after the event. 

Other idols who have read the book include BTS’ RM and Girls’ Generation’s Sooyoung. 

K-pop idols’ book recommendations 5: The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino 

Read/recommended/spotted: EXO Kai

EXO’s main dancer said The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino made a huge impression on him.

EXO’s main dancer Kai named The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino as a book that made a big impression on him in the KBS program The Human Condition. The Japanese crime novel tells the story of meticulous math teacher Ishigami and his neighbor Yasuko, a divorced mother. When Yasuko’s abusive ex-husband drops in at hers and her daughter Misato’s home unannounced, a fight ensues that ends in the ex-husband’s death. Ishigami offers to help cover up the crime, which results in a high-level cat-and-mouse game between the teacher and the detective in charge of the case. 

Which of these books will you add to your list of must-reads? 

Featured Image: RM, BTS’s resident genius, reads “A Bigger Message: Conversations with David Hockney” by Martin Gayford” while preparing for a performance. Photo: BANGTANTV/YouTube
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How to Get Tickets for “BTS Permission to Dance On Stage – LA” Concert

BTS to perform live again with Permission to Dance on Stage concert in LA's SoFi Stadium. Photo: bts_bighit/Twitter

After two years of waiting, the BTS concert ARMYs have been waiting for is finally here.

Following their “Love Yourself: Speak Yourself” world tour finale at the Seoul Olympic Main Stadium in 2019 and the cancellation of their Map of the Soul tour, BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook can finally dance on stage once again. On their YouTube channel—BANGTAN TV—the K-pop superstars announced their upcoming BTS concert at the SoFi Stadium in LA, happening on November 27 & 28; and December 1 & 2, 2021.

BTS ARMY’s support coupled with the fact that this concert took two years to happen means anticipating that BTS concert tickets will get sold out within minutes, as usual. Or faster than usual, which is also in minutes.

While the brand-new SoFi Stadium in LA has a 70,000 to more than 100,000 seating capacity and there are actually four concert dates (November 27 and 28, December 1 and 2, 2021), again, we are talking about a massive fanbase finally getting to watch the Bangtan Boys after two years.

Where can you buy BTS concert tickets?

Follow these steps to get BTS’s Permission to Dance On Stage – LA:

1. Sign up for ARMY membership on Weverse: Join BTS ARMY by October 2, 6 pm PST to get exclusive access.

2. Apply for BTS concert – ARMY member pre-sale by October 2, 6 pm PST.
You will receive this confirmation if your registration on Weverse was successful:


3. Register for Ticketmaster Verified Fan by October 2, 6 pm PST.
You will receive this confirmation if your registration on Ticketmaster for BTS’s concert in LA was successful:


4. Get ARMY member pre-sale tickets on Ticketmaster on October 7, 3-10 pm PST.

How much are the tickets for BTS’s concert at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles?

As of press time, neither Big Hit Entertainment/Hybe Corporation nor Ticketmaster has published the ticket prices. Stay tuned for updates.

It’s not just the fans who are excited for this “reunion” concert. BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have always expressed how much they have missed seeing ARMYs in their concerts.

In the meantime, let’s enjoy their performance for BTS (방탄소년단) BTS ROOM LIVE:

And the last song they have performed on stage to date, Mikrokosmos at Love Yourself: Speak Yourself (The Final) concert in Seoul 2019:

BTS to perform live again with Permission to Dance on Stage concert in LA. Photo: bts_bighit/Twitter
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Coldplay x BTS Reminds Us We’re Not Alone With My Universe

Coldplay x BTS's My Universe official lyric video. Photo: Coldplay/YouTube

The song starts upbeat, reminiscent of early Coldplay when frontman Chris Martin was around the same age as BTS. It was more gaining-awareness-of-the-world Parachutes than a had-everything-in-the-world-but-did-not-know-what-to-do-with-it confused Mylo Xyloto. Think their Til Kingdom Come from X&Y remixed with BTS’s Mikrokosmos (which has always been an emotional ending stage, be it for their Map of the Soul tour in Seoul or BTS Festa 2021).

The buildup of My Universe is hyped yet soft and steady 20 seconds in—a clear feisty claim that sets the tone of the collab of the century: You are my universe.

It then cuts to the intro after “and I,” just as how our minds pause when we are consumed by strong feelings (such as love that moves people beyond boundaries and makes us see things exclusive to us and our beloved). It praises the poignancy of everyday things and the surreal, as Jungkook eloquently sang in Korean.

매일 밤 네게 날아가 (가)
꿈이란 것도 잊은 채
나 웃으며 너를 만나 (나)

I fly away with you; When I’m without you, I’m crazy. Please hold my hand.

Matched with its upbeat tune that hits the right spots, My Universe touches on this ode of love that trespasses hardships—and what can be harder than love that cannot be together—and leaves it as that.

And they said that we can’t be together.

No fixing. Just a quiet understanding that such is a special bond that transcends all barriers. At the same time knowing that when—as Kim Taehyung sings—darkness used to be more comfortable, someone gets the audacity to make our world light up inside.

Suga and J-Hope rapped it the best:

What brightens me up
Are the stars embroidered with your love
In my universe, you
Make another world for me
Because you are my stars and my universe
These hardships are just temporary
Just shine as bright as you shine now
We will follow you to adorn this long night

My Universe then ends in total technicolor surrender, as we do in real life. At the end of the day, when the world can’t help but be pitch-black, we somehow default to the safe space that is love. After all, how can we be alone when we are made of each other?

Coldplay x BTS’s My Universe is now available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and on CDs that got sold out within minutes on Weverse. Following its much-awaited release on September 24, 2021, we can now also hear a My Universe – Acoustic Version and an acquired taste My Universe – Supernova 7 mix. The My Universe official music video drops midnight ET, September 30, 2021.

BTS’s rap line—J-Hope, RM, and Suga—are credited as songwriters for My Universe, along with Chris Martin and the Max Martin. (He is partially responsible for numerous iconic 90s pop culture songs, including ones performed by Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, and Britney Spears; and more recent languishings such as Ari’s Thank U, Next album; Ed Sheeran’s “and you’re making me feel like I’m loved by somebody” I Don’t Care; and even TayTay’s “you look like my next mistake” Blank Space.)

Featured image: Coldplay x BTS’s My Universe official lyric video. Photo: Coldplay/YouTube
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BTS at the United Nations General Assembly 2021

BTS at the 76th United Nations General Assembly. Photo: United Nations/YouTube

BTS made history once again as they carried out their first official duty as “Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture,” as appointed by South Korean President Moon Jae In. They stood in front of world leaders at the 76th United Nations General Assembly in New York, and talked about the younger generation’s experiences during the pandemic.

https://twitter.com/BTSupdate_7/status/1439942344665706496?s=20

Serving as the youth’s representative, BTS presented #YouthToday stories through their own creative collages.

Giving more perspective on what the pandemic “took away” from the youth, Jungkook mentioned the canceled important events such as graduations and concert tours, leaving a hole in our hearts and a gap in our lives.

They went on to discuss other pressing matters, such as taking the environment for granted. Suga and Namjoon explained that despite everyone mourning for the earth, the youth is out here looking for ways to extend its life for future generations.

Refusing to call the youth as the lost generation, Jimin and Jin talked how the “welcome generation” adapts to the lockdowns and quarantines. They showed the UN that young people are finding new ways to get the most out of this new normal.

The group also highlighted the importance of getting vaccinated, with J-Hope announcing that all the members got their shots while V/Kim Tae Hyung explained that vaccines can help in making face-to-face events happen again. A reassuring message for the vaccine-hesitant population.

Ending the speech, the group showed a special video of “Permission to Dance,” where they performed the song at the UN Headquarters.


BTS performs Permission to Dance at the UN Headquarters

And the internet went wild, of course.

Not wavering in their support for BTS, ARMYs have flooded the speech’s livestream. Just check out the live chat replay from the UN’s channel.

Everyone applauded and felt proud of the group’s words.

Even the world leaders, apparently…

Maybe they felt proud of themselves, too.

Bonus feels for letting them speak their powerful voice in their mother tongue!

This isn’t the group’s first time at the United Nations Headquarters. Back in 2018, they went in front of world leaders (and the whole world, tbh) to speak about self-love and bullying within the youth. BTS broke barriers by being the first K-Pop idols to be at the UN and by being vocal about these very relevant topics in South Korea.

BTS isn’t a stranger to speaking up and supporting advocacies. Since their 2013 debut, the group stood out by pouring their hearts and sending strong social messages in their lyrics. Off-stage, the boys never stopped in showing support and generosity to causes like Black Lives Matter, Anti-Asian Hate, and their Love Myself campaign.

Featured image: BTS at the 76th United Nations General Assembly. Photo: United Nations/YouTube.
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BTS Airport Fashion: “Have a safe flight” trends as BTS and their airport fashion head to NY

Have a safe flight, Bangtan Boys! BTS airport fashion as they head to NY for the UN General Assembly. Photo: BTS_twt/Twitter

“ARMY wish (sic) BTS a safe journey as the group travel (sic) to New York for the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly,” it reads on Twitter.

It’s all the airport feels once again as special presidential envoy BTS heads to New York for the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Given the pandemic and how it understandably canceled their Map of the Soul world tour, seeing RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook venture out to the world again hits differently. No one imagined that BTS airport fashion could be taken away from us anytime, so it means the universe to have this comforting blessing once again.

https://twitter.com/jmnsvibes/status/1439187271882739717

And here you can see more of BTS’s airport fashion:

“Have a safe flight” trending is as poignant as it is comforting. Who would have thought we will miss BTS airport fashion and saying “have a safe flight” to them this much?

Bangtan first graced the United Nations in 2018 for Generation Unlimited, following their “Love Myself” campaign with UNICEF. Unlike their first appearance, they are now speaking as diplomats, representing South Korea as “Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture.”

Have a safe flight, Bangtan Boys! We’ll root for you as you change the world, with ARMY right behind you.

https://twitter.com/parkjiminfiles/status/1439186385848520712

Featured image: Have a safe flight, Bangtan Boys! BTS airport fashion as they head to NY for the UN General Assembly. Photo: BTS_twt/Twitter
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K-pop in Met Gala: A Wishful Thinking List of Idols to See at the Fundraiser

EXO's Kai named global ambassador of 2022 Seoul Fashion Week. Photo: Seoul Fashion Week Official - 서울패션위크/Facebook

With Rosé and CL making their debut appearances at the Met Gala—one of the fashion industry’s biggest events—the floodgates may have opened for other K-pop idols to also attend the event. Here are some names that may be great ideas to grace Met’s steps in May next year.

BTS’ V

Given that the Met Gala is already one of the most important events in the fashion industry’s calendar, just imagine the commotion it would cause if some of the members of the world’s biggest band to date would attend the event! Maybe having all seven members attend the event would be a bit too much, so we’re thinking the V would be great representatives for the band. Kim Taehyung has long been considered to be the most fashion-savvy among BTS members, and it would be great to see him grace the Met steps, with all the world’s red carpet photographers capturing his unique fashion sense.

Blackpink’s Jennie


When people got wind of news that a Blackpink member was going to attend the Met Gala, most of them made the quick assumption that it was going to be the first member who also launched her solo career. But lo and behold, it was the face of Saint Laurent, Rosé, who was on the grounds of Met, becoming one of the first two female K-pop idols to attend the event. So, if we are to think of the next Blackpink member who needs to be seen in the Upper East Side’s most famous steps, then it may be high time for Calvin Klein’s most recent brand ambassador to make her appearance But then we wouldn’t mind at all if it were Celine’s muse, Lisa, who would be next in line. Since the next Met Gala will be in May next year, we may think Jisoo might not make it because she should be too busy preparing for her solo release, cross fingers.

EXO’s Kai

If we’re on the subject of fashion, it simply is a must to mention EXO’s main dancer Kai. Since being a global brand ambassador of Gucci, Kim Jongin has appeared in countless fashion spreads and pictorials for the brand, as if we still need convincing that the group’s visual (not that the group lacks in this respect) can hold his own with the fashion world’s movers and shakers. That height, those chiseled features, and that camera-ready aura would be such a refreshing sight to see in Met’s fabled steps. With tennis queen Serena Williams and red carpet mainstay British actress Sienna Miller wearing Gucci in last Thursday’s event, I say let’s go for Kai attending next year’s event in full Gucci regalia.

Red Velvet’s Seulgi

It can be argued that they would rather see the Red Velvet’s original visual Irene in fashion’s biggest event, but I’d rather see Seulgi in attendance. With those sharp features that scream high-fashion and commanding presence, Red Velvet’s main dancer would no doubt be a hit in New York. Also, it should be noted that Seulgi has been Besides, shouldn’t Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo may want to push its muse to attend the event? This needs to happen, ASAP!

SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu (and Vernon)


Blessed with a fashion model’s height and matinee idol features, SEVENTEEN’s visual-cum-rapper Mingyu would surely create waves should he appear in the Met Gala. Everything looks good on him and luxury fashion houses would love to give him something to wear. Besides, he has walked several runways for Korean fashion designers and is one of the busiest idols every Seoul Fashion Week, so he shouldn’t have any problems going head to head with other bigwigs in the fashion industry. But then, Mingyu is also known to be a bit awkward in social situations, not to mention he is quite a klutz, so being escorted by the group’s resident Leonardo di Caprio-lookalike and English speaker Vernon should be a great idea.

Let’s hope for more K-pop idols to make their appearances in next year’s event.

EXO’s Kai named global ambassador of 2022 Seoul Fashion Week. Photo: Seoul Fashion Week Official – 서울패션위크/Facebook
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BTS Officially Diplomats After Special Appointment of South Korean President Moon Jae-in

(From L-R) BTS’s V, Jungkook, RM, Jin, Suga, Jimin, and J-Hope are now officially diplomats of South Korea. Photo: BTS_official/Twitter

RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have formally accepted their special documentations as special presidential envoy from South Korean President Moon Jae In, officially making BTS diplomats of South Korea just a week ahead of their attendance to the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

On September 14, Moon presented BTS their certificates as South Korea’s “Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture.” The seven members of BTS attended the awarding ceremony at the Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, along with Big Hit Music President Shin Young Jae and HYBE executive Lee Jin Hyung. With this official designation, the Bangtan Boys also received their Republic of Korea diplomatic passports.

BTS continues to prove that they are more than just another K-pop act. As with any country, diplomatic passports are only awarded to a few, qualified individuals. Along with their new status as diplomats comes expectations that the OT7 will be deployed for more official government businesses.

In July 2021, President Moon announced BTS’s appointment as Special Presidential Envoys for Future Generation and Culture. With this officially sealed, the septet will accompany him at the 76th session of the U.N. General Assembly (September 21 to 30, 2021). For their first diplomatic duty, BTS will deliver a message during the Sustainable Development Goals Moment (SDG Moment) of the Decade of Action session.


Featured image: (From L-R) BTS’s V, Jungkook, RM, Jin, Suga, Jimin, and J-Hope are now officially diplomats of South Korea. Photo: BTS_official/Twitter
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BTS Yet Again Wins Group of the Year and Best K-pop at 2021 VMAs

BTS wins 2021 VMAs: Best Group award, Best Kpop award, and MTV's Song of the Summer 2021. Photo: MTV/YouTube

What can we not expect from BTS?

The Bangtan Boys took home two major awards and a previously unannounced award category at MTV’s 2021 Video Music Awards (VMAs) last September 12, 2021. For the third year straight, BTS nabbed both Group of the Year and Best Kpop awards.

RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have consistently won Best Kpop at the VMAs since it was introduced in 2018. First for Boy With Luv in their historic (not to mention controversial) first VMA win in 2019, ON in 2020, and now, for Butter.

BTS was up against some major players for the 2021 VMAs Group of the Year award. The OT7, however, proved that they are unstoppable because they are “not seven, with you.” Beaming with love, they credited ARMY—the group’s equally phenomenal fandom—for their VMA win.

“And ARMYs, this is all possible thanks to you guys.”
-BTS in their acceptance speech for the 2021 VMAs Group of the Year award.

BTS was unable to attend MTV’s awarding ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. They accepted their 2021 VMA awards through a video message instead.

In addition to these two major awards, BTS also took home the Song of the Summer award for their hit single Butter.

BTS was nominated in six major categories including Best Pop, Best Editing (for Lumpens’ Yong Seok Choi), and Best Choreography (for Son Sung Deuk with BHM Performance Directing Team). The hit single Dynamite was nominated for the Song of The Year category instead of Best Kpop.

Congratulations to BTS and ARMY!

Featured image: BTS wins 2021 VMAs: Best Group award, Best Kpop award, and MTV’s Song of the Summer 2021. Photo: MTV/YouTube
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Happy Namjoon Day: World Creates a Lot of Love for BTS’s God of Destruction

September 12 is Kim Namjoon day. Photo: bts_bighit/Twitter

BTS’s leader, Kim Namjoon, is effortlessly extra in a lot of things. He has an IQ of 148, chose rapping and music over school (he once ranked as South Korea’s top 1% students), serves as BTS’s English translator since he learned the language by watching the sitcom Friends, lives and breathes as BTS’s God of Destruction every chance he gets, and, at the age of roughly 19, started to lead the Bangtan Boys.

Rightfully so, ARMYs all over the world also go extra in celebrating Namjoon Day every September 12. Just like Kookie’s birthday celebration, tributes poured out for leader-nim Rrrrrrrap Monster this year.

Billboards and display ads
ARMYs made it an agenda to let Namjoon and the world know about RM’s birthday. In South Korea, ARMYs installed various RM ads across the country. These include digital billboards, display ads, a book café, a “book street” that showed different tribute posters for the BTS member.

ARMYs in New York were blessed with these Times Square ads.

In Pakistan, ARMYs broke through by putting up RM Birthday Ads in Lucky One Mall, Karachi. Fans say that RM is the first South Korean idol to have such a display in the biggest mall in Pakistan.

Namjoon’s face was also seen in birthday ad displays in Ukraine.

Greeting projects

Namjoon is a known lover of art and museums. With this, ARMY artists teamed up to create a virtual gallery of fanart and fan-made portraits of RM.

ARMYs also showed their love in this 92 minute-long greeting project that’s full of kind words and heartfelt messages for RM.

They also used the occasion to showcase their creativity, as seen in this poem-writing initiative.

FUNDRAISERS AND CHARITY PROJECTS

RM—along with fellow BTS members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—are loved for spreading light and positivity across the globe. That same spirit is also seen in various RM birthday projects that benefit non-profit organizations, charities, and communities.

This group partnered with Greenpeace for their initiative. It’s a month-long joint project for Namjoon and Jungkook’s birthdays.

Another group of ARMYs worked in creating storybooks for children.

There’s also a birthday charity project that aims to help empower children through art, feeding, and educational programs.

Other ARMYs also gathered to help victims of gender-based violence.

Tree-planting projects were also arranged by ARMYs all over the world.

These are only some of the ways ARMYs celerbated Namjoon Day, and, considering RM’s positive impact, we are certain that there are a lot more out there.

Celebrating the one and only Rrrrrrrap Monster

RM doesn’t mean “Rap Monster” for no reason. He carries the name for his incredible rapping skills. Just check out how he spat and sped through bar after bar in his solo track from 2015.

His performances are just amazing and topnotch

All while exuding that effortlessly cool vibe.

But he can be cute and soft, too. His love for that small crab? ADORABLE.

RM is also known for being one of the youngest and most credited songwriters in the industry. Last July, he trended on Twitter for having more than 170 songs under his name (and counting!).

Even when he is offstage, Namjoon shows that he is the epitome of a good group leader. Even other K-pop idols take him as a role model. We have witnessed this time and again, whether it’s for a huge concert, variety show, or Bangtan Bomb episodes.

He can get a bit scary, but that’s just him caring for the group.

Have we mentioned that Namjoon is a genius?

And that he learned to converse in English by watching the sitcom Friends? Tbh with BTS members taking English lessons now, we will surely miss RM’s strong power translations.

And he’s great at Math, too. Totally nothing extra about it.

He doesn’t fail to make ARMYs and BTS laugh, whether it’s through his jokes, expressions, or just exceeding expectations as God of Destruction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpUiuHoIOa4

Beyond all these, we love Namjoon because of his kind heart and how he spreads positivity through his platform.

He even led the UN speech addressed to the youth.

Whenever BTS was asked about RM, a unified voice says that they won’t be who they are today if he wasn’t their leader (and yes, even though he and V once sneaked out for some Melona after tonkatsu while they were still trainees. Lol; I know.) With all their achievements and seeing how well they have raised the Maknae Line, we all have proof that while Namjoon is BTS’s God of Destruction, he has created a lot of good in this world.

Happy birthday, RM!

Featured image: September 12 is Kim Namjoon day. Photo: bts_bighit/Twitter
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