BTS album total sales in South Korea 2013-2023
The BTS phenomenon
BTS, also known as ‘Bangtan Boys’ (or Bangtan Sonyeondan in Korean), formed in 2010 and had their debut in 2013. Several years after their debut, the seven-member K-Pop boyband became one of the biggest bands in the country, which ultimately led to international success. The group went on seven world tours, released three concert movies in cinemas all over the world, and broke several records on a national and international basis. Their fanbase, known as “A.R.M.Y.”, is known for being one of the most active fan clubs on social media. Because of their international success, BTS has been awarded the Order of Cultural Merit by president Moon Jae-In.
K-pop idol culture
K-pop, short for South Korean popular music, is a genre of pop music originating in South Korea. While the term describes songs of a variety of music styles, it developed an “idol culture” that proved to be successful both in South Korea and around the globe. K-pop idols are famous for being good-looking, fashionable, and highly trained in both singing and dancing. Music videos are often colorful and feature powerful dance choreographies. Individuals that are hoping to become a K-pop idol sign with agencies, preferably one of the leading companies, and dedicate years into their training before they might be able to debut in a boy or girl group. Due to high standards in the industry, K-pop labels are known to enforce strict rules on both trainees as well as idols.