Group History &  Debut Story

BTS: Group History & Debut Story

Formation & Pre-Debut (2010-2013)

BTS (방탄소년단, Bangtan Sonyeondan) was formed by BigHit Entertainment, a small company at the time, under the vision of producer Bang Si-hyuk. Originally, BTS was conceived as a hip-hop group similar to 1990s Korean idol groups or even American rap crews. However, as the concept evolved, it transformed into an idol group blending hip-hop, pop, and R&B.

BigHit began recruiting members in 2010 through auditions. The final lineup was completed by 2012, consisting of:

• RM (Leader, Rapper) – The first member to join, known for his underground rap background.

• Jin (Vocalist) – Scouted for his visuals and later trained in singing.

• SUGA (Rapper, Producer) – Originally an underground rapper and producer from Daegu.

• J-Hope (Rapper, Dancer) – A skilled dancer with a background in street dance and competitions.

• Jimin (Vocalist, Dancer) – The last member to join, a trained contemporary dancer.

• V (Vocalist) – Secretly recruited and revealed just before debut.

• Jungkook (Vocalist, Dancer, Center) – Chose BigHit over larger agencies after seeing RM’s rap skills.

Before debut, BTS members trained in rap, dance, vocals, and even social media marketing. They engaged with fans through platforms like Twitter and YouTube, showcasing their personalities and skills, which helped them build an early fanbase.

Debut (2013) & Early Struggles

BTS debuted on June 13, 2013, with the single album 2 Cool 4 Skool, featuring the title track "No More Dream". The song carried a rebellious message, urging youth to chase their dreams rather than conform to societal expectations. Despite their energetic performances and unique music style, BTS faced challenges as they came from a small agency with limited resources.

In their early days, they were often overlooked by mainstream media and struggled with financial difficulties. However, their authenticity, self-produced music, and social media engagement gradually built a dedicated fanbase, later known as ARMY (Adorable Representative M.C for Youth).

Rise to Success

BTS’s persistence led to increasing recognition with albums like The Most Beautiful Moment in Life series (2015-2016) and Wings (2016). Their global breakthrough came with Love Yourself: Her (2017), marking the start of their worldwide fame, leading to sold-out stadium tours, chart-topping albums, and historic achievements, such as performing at the Grammys and speaking at the United Nations.

BTS’s journey from a struggling rookie group to one of the world’s biggest musical acts is a testament to their passion, hard work, and the unwavering support of ARMY. 💜