Happy Anniversary BTSđ
Itâs the 13th anniversary of when BTS (Bangtan Sonyeongdan) debuted. Although some of the members trained for almost 3 full-years (unpaid) before that fateful date. Their management company couldnât afford for them to debut - but another act cancelled a performance, which allowed BTS to finally debut.[1]
Bangtan Boys at a fanmeeting on Music Bank on July 26 2013. Photo: Bulletproof7BTS (2013)
As you all probably know, I have been a fan for many years. But, now when the members are post-military service and in their 30s and definitely no longer boys, but men - they have released a new album âArirangâ that hits even closer. Perhaps Iâm also (possibly) mature enough to publicly admit my fangirl crush on this amazing group.
I liked their music and dancing for a long time, but it wasnât until RMâs (Kim Namjoon) solo album, âIndigoâ, that I got more interested in their music. Their new album âArirangâ is absolutely amazing. All tracks are incredible - and 13 of 14 tracks were on Billboardâs Hot 100 at the same time! âBy earning their seventh No. 1, BTS joined an elite tier alongside The Beatles and the Rolling Stones for the most number-one songs by a group in Billboard history.â [2]
BTS has gone on this year to win the Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer âSWIMâ,[3] and Best Male K-Pop Artist at the 2026 American Music Awards. [4]
BTS has had to fight for everything they have today. The entire K-Pop industry has tried to keep them down, haters joined together to try and vote them out, they have even received death threats! But they have always shown the utmost gratitude to their fandom (ARMYđ) and have worked tirelessly to communicate a positive message. With them now (finally) being compared to top artists like The Beatles and Michael JacksonâŚperhaps they have truly become Bulletproof! [5]
BTS Family Portrait - released by Weverse June, 2026. L-R (back) Jung Ho-seok (J-Hope), Kim Nam-joon (RM), Jeon Jung-kook (JK), Park Ji-min (Jimin); (front) Kin-Seok-jin (Jin), Kim Tae-hyung (V); Min Yoon-gi (Suga)
They are also individual ambassadors for many global luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Bottega Venetta, FRED Jewelry, Dior, Tiffany & Co., CELINE, Cartier, and Calvin Klein. There have also been recent announcements of contracts with Nike [6] and OREO [7]. These hard-working men fought for this, and IMO deserve every award and cent that they have earned through Blood, Sweat & Tears.[8]
BTS is on their global tour at the moment, and Iâm really looking forward to August 23rd in Toronto to finally see them in concert. This is a bucket list item for me! This tour is making history, and I will definitely share my thoughts about my experience when I return from Egypt, which I will be visiting post-concert. In the meantime I want to wish BTS a huge CONGRATULATIONS! đ Thanks for hanging in there, and sharing your amazing talent with all of us!
[1] BTS debuted on June 13, 2013, under Big Hit Entertainment (rebranded as HYBE Corporation in 2021) with the single album â2 Cool 4 Skoolâ and its lead track No More Dream.
[2] Zellner, X. (2026) BTS Returns to No. 1 on Artist 100, Debuts 13 Songs on Hot 100 From âARIRANGâ.Billboard. Posted online March 31, 2026.
[3] SWIM is a great song, but my preferred version is SWIM with RM (Chill Hip Hop Remix).
[4] @amas #KINGS of the #AMAs đ Instagram
[5] We are Bulletproof: the Eternal - song from their âMap of the Soul: 7â album in 2020; Caulfied, K. (2026) BTS Earns 7th No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With âARIRANGâ. Billboard. Posted online March 29, 2026; OSEN (2026) BTS's 'Arirang' Shatters Records Globally. The Chosun Daily. Posted online March 22, 206.
[6] Markovic, A. (2026) Nike and BTS Launch ARIRANG Tour Merch Collection. DSCENE Publishing. Posted online June 1, 2026.
[7] Benjamin, J. (2026) BTS And OREO Drop Limited-Edition Cookie Dedicated To Korea, ARMY Fans. Forbes. Posted online May 26, 2026.
[8] Blood, Sweat & Tears - song from their 2017 album âYou Never Walk Aloneâ.
Some of my other recent posts about BTS:
