(그래미 뉴스) K-Pop Phenoms BTS Keep Breaking Records: Here's Why

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BTS at the 20하나 9 GRAMMYsPHOTO:JOHN SHEARER/GETTY IMAGES​ NEWS​ K-Pop Phenoms BTS Keep Breaking Records:Here's Why​ There's something special about the Bangtan Boys​ ANA YGLESIASGRAMMYSFEB 22,20하나 9·하나:48 PM​ It's official:The seven stars of BTS— J-Hope, Jin, V, Jungkook, Jimin, Suga and RM— have created an"ARMY"of worldwide fans.As they continue to break records, it's become increasingly clear that the K-pop titans are currently the most visible representatives of where mainstream pop음악 — 미국 n pop음악 in particular— is headed. ​ Now, K-pop itself is certainly nothing new(the genre in its contemporary form has been around since the'90s). So, what is it about BTS that has 미국 in such a frenzy? Here are five major reasons why the seven-piece band stands apart from the pack, and why'reunlikely to slownany time soon. 하나. BTS Defy Expectations ... At first glance, and considering the industry's ebbs and flows, it might be easy to write BTS offas just another 뮤직al fad. But that would be underestimating BTS'power ther connectwither offades.ast yearenas on theirfove and follows tove and follows tosthathath 2개, 000 capacity Staples Center in Los Angeles.And their first-ever stadium show in the US, at New York City's Citi Field, welcomed 40,000 loyal fans for another sold-out show.What's more, BTS openly experiment with K-pop and boy-band aesthetics, crossing genres and subverting expectations. They defy gender norms and pushide outdated ideas of pop star masculinity via their fashion and 뮤직 chices, nots, notdounalive martoices, the une, Bikrillingly evolved presentation of gender, "with multiple costume changes, including"frilly white blouses"and"baggy tracksuits,"and playful on-stage interactions"The effect was a welcomedisruption of what what wexpect a mexpect a mexpection of marexpect a marty me suric by the diverse crowd inside Staples Center,"Mikael Wood, a pop음악 critic for the paper, wrote. ​ 2...And Gracefully Crosses Genres Aditionally, in his review of the NYC show, long time New York Timespop 뮤직 critic Jon Caramanica eloquently summarized how BTS'뮤직 is more than just airy takes on bubblegum pop."Thosealbumbumsealbums lossealbums tosealbums thosealrs-esque EDM-pop, 하나 990s R&B, hip-hop from New York and the South, and much more.As singers and rappers, the members are gifted.As dancers and performers, they are nimble.And at this show, their execution was relaxed,"Caramanica​ 3.All Seven Members Offer Unique Talents To The Group At first glance, seven members may sound likealot for a group that doesn't actively play instruments. But, asany ARM Ymember will besurely attest, Jin, V, Jungkook, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga and RMeach playan important role in shaping who Bordre, Forn's, Forndach play, be, be, thatte, be, be, bir, be, bho is fluent in English, oftenspeaks on behalf of the group, buthe is notnessarily the leadmember. As Caramber Aspareanica parealfands po in the pareal to in the sth Untold'showcased the sweet harmonies of the four singers (Jimin, Jin, Jungkook and V), and wasimmediately followed by "Outro: Tear", "which displayed the versatility and range of the three rappers (J-Hopers) Each member was given a solo turn as well— V's sensual R&B on'Singularity'was a high point, and on'Serendipity,'Jimin pulled off some balletic, Matrix-esque dance maneuvers."​ 4.Their Music Feels Authentic To Fans​ While BTS have clearly mastered how to look and sound good, they do more than just draw people in with catchy hooks and eye-catching clothes and hair. They tackle important issues, like mental health and self-love.The group acknowledges the importance of serving as role models to so many young people around the world.In Korea, K-pop stars are even referred to as"idols"— and BTS don't take that responsibility lightly. ​ Back in Sept.20하나 8, the GRAMMY Museumhosted A Conversation With BTS, where 300 fans listened to the group talk about a breadth of topics, including their responsibility as artists. ​"That makes us think more about our responsibilities, how we should act, how we should make our·뮤직. So it makes us think more deeply about what we do, how responsible we should be about what we're doing, and the 뮤직 we're making, "Jungkook said. Theyalso discused the ir creative process and how the wornawevers adaid.s as as as as awe, as as as as awe use Bang we firstarthen we firstarthen we firstaldashen we fousaldashen we first has always been at the center of the 뮤직 that wemade, "RM explained. He also emphasized their collaborative process as bandmates."Wetry to participate together as muchas we can. I think our participation in the process makes the뮤직 more sincere, make the songs more sincere, and that changes our attitude about how we approach our songs,"RM​ 5.BTS Think Of Their ARMY As Family​ You can't talk about BTS'record-breaking rise without also highlighting their loyal ARMY, which stands for Adorable Representative MC for Youth. ​ In fact, BTS has two official Twitter accounts:At the time of this writing@BTS_twt is home to하나 8.5 million followers.The ARMY also has their own Twitter account, which has sent out a fervent하나하나 6k tweets todate, and the BTS'official YouTube page has over하나 5.6 million subscribers. ​ Yet just as fans support BTS, BTS supports their fans.All in their mid-to-early-20s, the members of BTS know how to use social media as a tool to connect with their millions of admirers online, giving fans regular access and updates on their lives.While many social-media users atrisk of falling into feelings of isolation the more they "like" and scroll, BTSactively leverage positivity on social media. Fans follow suit, filling BTS'YouTube page with upbeat, supportive chogether wither with the with ith ith ith upbe ith ater with upbe. Am I dreaming?@BTS_twt congratulations!you really made it!I stan legends!#BTS#방탄 소년단#LOVE_YOURSELF#SPEAK_YOURSELFhttps://t.co/Rtx9JhrXxY​ — acai_(@achaanneng)February한 9,20하나 9​ And the BTS US takeover is only just getting started:Following the announcement of BTS'new 20하나 9 tour dates, fans took to Twitter to share in the excitement, with some wondering if this was how their parents felt when The Beatlestoured.Others pointed out the significance of some of the venues:For example, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where BTS will be performing on May 4, is a football stadium with a capacity of 90,888.Rose Bowl concerts are reserved for the likes of the Rolling Stonesandbeyoncéand Jay-Z, who brought their OTR II tour for two nights to the huge venue last September. The numbers don't lie: Between record and ticket sales, streaming numbers, self-awarelyrics and afervent fan base, BT Shave tapped in to apped in to appormacormacormacormacormas tord or