BTS Through Time
Seven stars, one journey together.
From their first single at a tiny record label to stadiums around the world. This is the BTS story through its biggest milestones, laid out chronologically, era by era.
June 2013
Debut
Their first single, "2 Cool 4 Skool," and the song "No More Dream" are released under Big Hit.
June 2013
Debut
Their first single, "2 Cool 4 Skool," and the song "No More Dream" are released under Big Hit.
November 2013
First major award
They win Best New Artist at the Melon Music Awards, along with a string of similar awards that season.
November 2013
First major award
They win Best New Artist at the Melon Music Awards, along with a string of similar awards that season.
July 2014
First encounter with the world
Their first performance in America (a concert in Los Angeles) and their first fan meetings in Europe.
July 2014
First encounter with the world
Their first performance in America (a concert in Los Angeles) and their first fan meetings in Europe.
August 2014
First full album
"Dark & Wild," their first full studio album, is released, with the single "Danger."
August 2014
First full album
"Dark & Wild," their first full studio album, is released, with the single "Danger."
December 2014
Entering the Japanese market
Their first Japanese album, "Wake Up," charts high on the Japanese charts.
December 2014
Entering the Japanese market
Their first Japanese album, "Wake Up," charts high on the Japanese charts.
April 2015
The Most Beautiful Moment in Life
The era that broke them through, "I Need U" brings their first win on a music show.
April 2015
The Most Beautiful Moment in Life
The era that broke them through, "I Need U" brings their first win on a music show.
November 2015
Run
Their rise continues through the second part of the HYYH era, with ever bigger venues.
November 2015
Run
Their rise continues through the second part of the HYYH era, with ever bigger venues.
May 2016
Fire and Young Forever
New hits and an ever louder fandom confirm their momentum.
May 2016
Fire and Young Forever
New hits and an ever louder fandom confirm their momentum.
October 2016
Wings and Blood Sweat & Tears
The album "Wings" breaks sales records, and its music video becomes one of their most iconic.
October 2016
Wings and Blood Sweat & Tears
The album "Wings" breaks sales records, and its music video becomes one of their most iconic.
December 2016
First Daesang
They win their first major annual award (Daesang), confirming their status at the top of the Korean scene.
December 2016
First Daesang
They win their first major annual award (Daesang), confirming their status at the top of the Korean scene.
February 2017
Spring Day and Not Today
"You Never Walk Alone" breaks the record for monthly album sales in Korea.
February 2017
Spring Day and Not Today
"You Never Walk Alone" breaks the record for monthly album sales in Korea.
May 2017
First American award
They win Top Social Artist at the Billboard Music Awards, a first big step in America.
May 2017
First American award
They win Top Social Artist at the Billboard Music Awards, a first big step in America.
September 2017
DNA and the Billboard Hot 100
With the album "Love Yourself: Her" and the song "DNA," they break into the American Hot 100 chart for the first time.
September 2017
DNA and the Billboard Hot 100
With the album "Love Yourself: Her" and the song "DNA," they break into the American Hot 100 chart for the first time.
November 2017
Love Myself and their first American performance
They launch the UNICEF "Love Myself" campaign and perform at the American Music Awards for the first time.
November 2017
Love Myself and their first American performance
They launch the UNICEF "Love Myself" campaign and perform at the American Music Awards for the first time.
May 2018
First to top the Billboard 200
"Love Yourself: Tear" becomes the first Korean album to top the American album chart, and "Fake Love" is released.
May 2018
First to top the Billboard 200
"Love Yourself: Tear" becomes the first Korean album to top the American album chart, and "Fake Love" is released.
August 2018
First world stadium tour
They set off on the big "Love Yourself" world tour, filling stadiums around the world.
August 2018
First world stadium tour
They set off on the big "Love Yourself" world tour, filling stadiums around the world.
September 2018
Speech at the UN
They deliver a speech at the United Nations headquarters carrying the message "Love Yourself, Speak Yourself."
September 2018
Speech at the UN
They deliver a speech at the United Nations headquarters carrying the message "Love Yourself, Speak Yourself."
October 2018
Order of Cultural Merit
They become the youngest recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit in South Korean history.
October 2018
Order of Cultural Merit
They become the youngest recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit in South Korean history.
April 2019
Boy With Luv
The album "Map of the Soul: Persona" and the song with Halsey break new viewership records.
April 2019
Boy With Luv
The album "Map of the Soul: Persona" and the song with Halsey break new viewership records.
June 2019
Wembley and Rose Bowl
They perform at London's Wembley and America's Rose Bowl, the first Korean group to play those stadiums.
June 2019
Wembley and Rose Bowl
They perform at London's Wembley and America's Rose Bowl, the first Korean group to play those stadiums.
December 2019
Swept every major award
At the major annual award shows, they became the first to win every top award (Daesang) at once, a so-called "all-kill."
December 2019
Swept every major award
At the major annual award shows, they became the first to win every top award (Daesang) at once, a so-called "all-kill."
January 2020
First Grammy performance
They step onto the Grammy stage for the first time, as guests in a joint performance.
January 2020
First Grammy performance
They step onto the Grammy stage for the first time, as guests in a joint performance.
February 2020
Map of the Soul: 7
The album and the song "ON" mark the peak of their artistic ambition; over time the album becomes the best-selling in South Korean history.
February 2020
Map of the Soul: 7
The album and the song "ON" mark the peak of their artistic ambition; over time the album becomes the best-selling in South Korean history.
August 2020
Guinness World Record for the video
The "Dynamite" music video breaks the world record for most viewed YouTube video in the first 24 hours, with more than a hundred million views.
August 2020
Guinness World Record for the video
The "Dynamite" music video breaks the world record for most viewed YouTube video in the first 24 hours, with more than a hundred million views.
November 2020
First Grammy nomination
They become the first k-pop group ever nominated for a Grammy, and the album "BE" is released with "Life Goes On."
Read moreNovember 2020
First Grammy nomination
They become the first k-pop group ever nominated for a Grammy, and the album "BE" is released with "Life Goes On."
Read moreFebruary 2021
Global Artist of the Year
The international music industry body (IFPI) names them Global Recording Artist of the Year for 2020, the first non-English-language act to hold the title, and they defend it the following year too.
February 2021
Global Artist of the Year
The international music industry body (IFPI) names them Global Recording Artist of the Year for 2020, the first non-English-language act to hold the title, and they defend it the following year too.
May 2021
Butter and McDonald's
"Butter" is released, the McDonald's collaboration (the BTS Meal) arrives, and all seven members become Louis Vuitton ambassadors.
Read moreMay 2021
Butter and McDonald's
"Butter" is released, the McDonald's collaboration (the BTS Meal) arrives, and all seven members become Louis Vuitton ambassadors.
Read moreJuly 2021
Permission to Dance
The new song shatters streaming records.
July 2021
Permission to Dance
The new song shatters streaming records.
September 2021
UN and My Universe
Another UN speech, alongside a performance of "Permission to Dance," and the "My Universe" collaboration with Coldplay.
September 2021
UN and My Universe
Another UN speech, alongside a performance of "Permission to Dance," and the "My Universe" collaboration with Coldplay.
November 2021
Artist of the Year
They win the top award at the American Music Awards, the first Asian act to hold that title.
November 2021
Artist of the Year
They win the top award at the American Music Awards, the first Asian act to hold that title.
April 2022
First solo Grammy performance
For the first time, they carry the Grammy stage on their own, at the ceremony in Las Vegas.
April 2022
First solo Grammy performance
For the first time, they carry the Grammy stage on their own, at the ceremony in Las Vegas.
May 2022
Most awarded group at the Billboard Music Awards
At the Billboard Music Awards, they become the most awarded group in the show's history.
May 2022
Most awarded group at the Billboard Music Awards
At the Billboard Music Awards, they become the most awarded group in the show's history.
May 2022
White House visit
They visit the White House and speak about Asian representation and the fight against hate.
May 2022
White House visit
They visit the White House and speak about Asian representation and the fight against hate.
June 2022
Proof and the solo path
The anthology "Proof" and the song "Yet To Come," alongside the announcement that the members are also turning to solo projects.
June 2022
Proof and the solo path
The anthology "Proof" and the song "Yet To Come," alongside the announcement that the members are also turning to solo projects.
October 2022
Busan concert
A huge concert in Busan in front of a massive crowd.
October 2022
Busan concert
A huge concert in Busan in front of a massive crowd.
December 2022
Jin enlists
Jin is the first to begin his mandatory military service, starting the enlistment period for the whole group.
December 2022
Jin enlists
Jin is the first to begin his mandatory military service, starting the enlistment period for the whole group.
2023
The others enlist
The rest of the members follow in turn, j-hope in April, Suga in September, then RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook in December.
2023
The others enlist
The rest of the members follow in turn, j-hope in April, Suga in September, then RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook in December.
February 2023
Most Grammy-nominated Korean act
By the 2023 ceremony they had racked up five Grammy nominations in total (for "Dynamite," "Butter," "My Universe," and "Yet To Come"), more than any other Korean act, though they don't take home the award.
February 2023
Most Grammy-nominated Korean act
By the 2023 ceremony they had racked up five Grammy nominations in total (for "Dynamite," "Butter," "My Universe," and "Yet To Come"), more than any other Korean act, though they don't take home the award.
June 2024
Jin returns
Jin is the first to return from military service.
June 2024
Jin returns
Jin is the first to return from military service.
October 2024
j-hope returns
j-hope is the second to finish his service and sets off on a world tour.
October 2024
j-hope returns
j-hope is the second to finish his service and sets off on a world tour.
June 2025
The group reunites
The remaining members complete their military service and BTS is back together at full strength.
June 2025
The group reunites
The remaining members complete their military service and BTS is back together at full strength.