Music touches the heart and soul of the listener. Therefore, being a musician does not merely mean producing tracks that people would love to download but also, producing the kind of work that people would remember for a long time.
From being termed as “Kpop sensations” to being deemed “Next Generation Leaders”, BTS have charted a long journey of becoming artists whose words have an impact. The continuous process of learning and unlearning has finally led them to a moment where each experience of theirs comes forth as a learning lesson for the recipient. Today, their identity goes beyond the conventional definition of “idol”.
The South Korean group that has been breaking records left, right and center has finally made its way to the cover of TIME Magazine. Addressing their impact on their fans and the overall music industry, the team at TIME explained how the boys and their label have been able to stand out and make a difference:
Photograph by Nhu Xuan Hua for TIME
With their social campaigns titled “Love Yourself”, “Love Myself”, and “Speak Yourself”, BTS touch upon those areas and concerns of people’s lives that often remain unaddressed. Their approach to mix personal with the social has helped them find their firm ground amongst people who resort to music to convey their anxieties and find an escape to their problems.
By confessing their own struggles, the group has steadily created a safe space for their fans and non-fans to discuss their thoughts without being judged.
“We started to tell the stories that people wanted to hear and were ready to hear, stories that other people could not or would not tell,” Suga says. “We said what other people were feeling—like pain, anxieties, and worries.” They convey these messages in their music videos, loaded with metaphors and cultural references; in their social media updates; and in the lyrics of their music, which fans translate and analyze on message boards, group chats and podcasts. “That was our goal, to create this empathy that people can relate to,” Suga continues.(TIME)
Taking over the Citi field and some of the biggest stages, the boys are continuously making their mark on the industry. With an unprecedented support from their fans, BTS have been achieving a new feat with every passing day.
They will soon be performing during France-Korea friendship meet and will also be releasing a few Japanese singles in November. It’s a busy year for boys but also one of the most significant ones.
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