BTS (Korean: 방탄소년단, Bangtan Sonyeondan; also known as Beyond the Scene) is a South Korean seven-member boy band that debuted on June 13, 2013, under Big Hit Music/HYBE. They started as a hip-hop-influenced group and grew into one of the biggest pop acts in the world.

Members

• RM (Kim Namjoon) – leader, rapper, songwriter
• Jin (Kim Seokjin) – vocalist, oldest member
• SUGA (Min Yoongi) – rapper, producer; also releases music as Agust D
• j-hope (Jung Hoseok) – rapper, dancer, producer
• Jimin (Park Jimin) – vocalist, dancer
• V (Kim Taehyung) – vocalist, actor
• Jung Kook (Jeon Jungkook) – vocalist, dancer, maknae/youngest

Why they’re famous

BTS built a massive global fandom called ARMY. Their music often deals with youth, dreams, mental health, self-love, social pressure, and fame. They’re known for blending pop, hip-hop, R&B, EDM, and rock, and for deeply personal lyrics and storytelling.

Key releases include:

• 2 Cool 4 Skool (2013 debut)
• The Most Beautiful Moment in Life series
• Wings (2016)
• Love Yourself series (2017–18)
• Map of the Soul: Persona / 7
• BE (2020)
• Proof (2022)

Hit songs include “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “Permission to Dance,” “DNA,” “Fake Love,” “Boy With Luv,” and “Spring Day.”

Achievements and impact

• “Dynamite” made BTS the first Korean act to top the Billboard Hot 100.
• They’ve had multiple No. 1 songs and albums in the U.S. and worldwide.
• They’ve won numerous awards, including Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, and MAMAs, and have been nominated for Grammys.
• They’ve spoken at the UN, partnered with UNICEF on the Love Myself campaign, and visited the White House in 2022 to discuss anti-Asian hate.
• They helped globalize K-pop and showed how fan communities and social media could reshape the music industry.

Military service and current status

Like many South Korean men, all seven members served in the military. They enlisted between 2022 and 2023, and all had completed their service by June 2025. The group did not disband; they entered a solo-focused “Chapter 2” era, with members releasing individual albums and projects. After military service, BTS was expected/announced to return as a full group in 2026, so for exact comeback dates, tours, and releases, check official BTS/HYBE channels.

If you want, I can recommend the best BTS songs or albums to start with.