By promoting self-love and positivity through their music, BTS has done it again with the release of their surprise album, BE, during the last week of November 2020. BTS, a seven-member boy band originating from Seoul, South Korea, is becoming more popular on the global stage. Their new album BE incorporates seven feel-good songs and one skit track. Created in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this album sheds a hopeful light during these difficult times.
The first track of the album, titled “Life Goes On” not only reached No.1 on Billboard Hot 100, but holds greater meaning. This song relays the message that even though life gets tough, we can get through it because our “life goes on.” This song encourages all to live life freely and to not worry about the bigger problems that cannot be instantly fixed. Not only can this song be applied to the challenging times of COVID-19, but it can also apply to other hurdles in everyday life.
Last year’s song “Dynamite” brought great success for the group, with the track also reaching No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100. “Dynamite,” BTS’s first all English song proved to be an unforgettable one for the seven members. Since the lyrics are all in English, the song opened itself up to a wider audience, not only to those who understand Korean. After gaining more popularity through this song, the boy band got nominated for their first Grammy, a moment that will go down in history as the first Grammy nomination for a K-Pop group. Since the Grammys and the music industry is normally dominated by American and British artists, BTS’s Grammy nomination will hopefully open the doors for more foreign artists to gain recognition for their music.
The track titled “Skit” is essentially the members of BTS excitedly talking about being No.1 on Billboard for their song “Dynamite”. Though this track is spoken in all Korean, you can hear the pure excitement for their achievement in their voices. This was the first song that they had achieved this big of a success before, which made this victory a very big deal.
Although this year has been difficult for all, it seems to be serving BTS well. Recently, TIMES Magazine has named BTS as their “Entertainer of the Year.” After rising in popularity in the world as the biggest K-Pop group, they now have also become the biggest band in the world. After years of fighting the so-called “American wall” where the world’s top music artists are dominated by US singers, BTS has finally been able to penetrate through. This success is represented through their nomination for a Grammy award and their crowning of “Entertainer of the Year.”
With all of their accomplishments, BTS is continuing to gain more and more popularity. Despite this, the band remains incredibly humble and thankful to their fanbase, called ARMY. Especially since their tour for their last album, Map of the Soul, got postponed due to COVID-19, the boys wanted to create something special for ARMY. Besides writing and producing BE throughout the spring and summer of 2020, BTS has been able to host multiple live online concerts for their fans to watch. Their care and dedication to their fans proves to be strong.
Essentially, BTS is just starting their domination of the music industry in the west. Especially with their new album BE and their growing international fanbase, it will not be long until BTS sweeps all of the records and charts worldwide.