K-Pop
BTS Accounts for Nearly 1/3 of All U.S. K-Pop Sales & Streams: Their Domination, By the Numbers
BTS members’ decision to take time off for solo projects is bound to shake up K-pop music consumption in the U.S. because of the group’s dominance in the genre. And the band’s label, Big Hit Music — a division of HYBE, which Universal Music Group’s Geffen Records has distributed in the U.S. since last year — will have a tough time filling the hole. Since the beginning of 2021, BTS has accounted for 29.4% of sales and on-demand streams of K-pop music in the U.S., according to a Billboard analysis of Luminate data. Over that time, BTS did not release a new studio album but put out two “best of” collections — BTS, the Best in June 2021 and Proof on June 10, 2022. BTS also released multiple variations of the tracks “Butter” (including a remix with Megan Thee Stallion), “My Universe” and “Permi...
BTS Members Clarify Future of Group: “We Are Not Disbanding”
Following a “family dinner” video that aired as part of BTS’s annual FESTA anniversary celebration on June 14th, the members of Korean pop septet are sharing more details about their next chapter. While the conversation (which spans over an hour) initially seemed to indicate that BTS would be taking a break from activities as seven, including an English translation that used the word “hiatus,” the members and management company HYBE are clarifying that BTS’s “second chapter” will see the septet “remaining active as a group.” This will include filming content like their treasured variety show, “Run BTS,” among other team activities. At the same time, this strategy shift will incorporate more solo work from the members, beginning with J-Hope, who is set to headline the closing night of Lolla...
Will BTS’ Label Take a Big Hit From Band’s ‘Hiatus’?
HYBE will miss BTS — but not as much as it would have before acquiring Ithaca Holdings in 2021. On Tuesday (June 14), the band announced it was “going on a hiatus” to allow each member to focus on their solo projects. What that might mean for the label that launched BTS in 2013 is unclear. Companywide, BTS accounted for 27% of HYBE’s U.S. album sales and streams in 2021, according to the company’s fourth quarter 2021 investor presentation. In Japan — the world’s second-biggest music market — BTS accounted for about half of HYBE’s album sales, according to the company’s 2021 earnings. On top of that, BTS likely accounted for nearly all HYBE’s touring income that amounted to 191.1 billion ($148 million) in 2019 and 45.6 billion KRW ($36 million) 2021. HYBE’s acquisition of Ithica Projects in...
BTS Returns to No. 1 on Hot Trending Songs Chart With ‘Yet to Come,’ Debuts 2 Other Songs From ‘Proof’
BTS scores its third No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Trending Songs chart (dated June 18), powered by Twitter, as “Yet to Come” soars to the summit. The song reigns with 7.8 million Twitter mentions, surging by 222%, according to Twitter, following its release June 10 on the group’s new LP Proof (which is set to launch on next week’s June 25-dated album listings). BTS topped the inaugural Hot Trending Songs chart in October with “Permission to Dance” and then ruled with “Butter” for a record-setting 20 weeks. (The only other songs to top the tally so far are SB19’s “Bazinga” for seven weeks, and Ha Sung-woon and BTS member Jimin’s “With You,” for five.) Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news BTS also debuts two tracks on Hot Trending Songs, both — li...
Song of the Week: “Run BTS,” You Gotta Run
Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist. For our favorite new songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, BTS return to their roots with the swaggering, confident “Run BTS.” “Okay, let’s go,” SUGA directs at the start of “Run BTS,” one of the new tracks on BTS’ anthology album, PROOF (out today, June 10th). The album is dense, 48 tracks pulled from the group’s nine years of activity so far. “Run BTS” is one of the brand new offerings, kicking off Disc 2 of the three-part collection. The title of the song has nothing to do with BTS’ longstanding variety show of the same name, and everything to do with the fact that ...
BTS Releases Anthology Album PROOF with New Music: Stream
BTS are feeling nostalgic with their new anthology album PROOF, but the pop superstars have assured us that the best is “Yet to Come.” The project, which features the new single “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” and several other fresh recordings, is available to stream below. A three-disc collection, PROOF compiles songs from BTS’ discography that “reflect the thoughts and ideas of the members on the past, present, and future of BTS,” a statement explains. Its June 10th release date is especially symbolic, as it coincides with BTS’ ninth anniversary as a band, and the annual BTS Festa that takes place on June 13th. The first disc begins with a remastered version of “Born Singer,” an unofficial release from when BTS debuted in 2013. Originally an interpolation of a track by J....
Stanning BTS: Proof of a Comeback Pt. 2
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Radio Public | Pocket Casts | RSS PROOF is practically here and our excitement is palpable! Join Stanning BTS hosts Kayla and Bethany this week as they catch up on everything that has happened leading up to BTS’ majorly anticipated comeback. Related Video The hosts also discuss Proof of Inspiration, concept photos, FESTA, and the Bangtans Boys’ visit to the White House all on this comeback episode of Stanning BTS. Listen via the player above. Advertisement Make sure you like, review, and subscribe to Stanning BTS wherever you get your podcasts. You can also show your Iconic status by snagging the Stanning BTS Iconic ARMY T-shirt, now on sale at the Consequence Shop ...
BTS’ J-Hope Joins Lollapalooza’s 2022 Lineup as Sunday Headliner
BTS’ J-Hope has been added to Lollapalooza’s 2022 lineup as a Sunday headliner, making him the first South Korean artist to headline a main stage at a US festival. He replaces Doja Cat, who was forced to drop out of the festival after undergoing tonsil surgery. “It’s a thrilling new challenge that I think will become a really memorable chapter in my musical history! I’m gonna give you guys a great show. Get ready to get crazyyyyyy!” J-Hope wrote in an Instagram post announcing the news. K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER have also joined Lollapalooza’s lineup, marking another feat for South Korean representation on the US festival circuit. The boy band is set to perform on Saturday. Advertisement Related Video “I’m happy to welcome j-hope and TOMORROW X TOGETHER into the Lollapalooza fam...
BTS Partners With YouTube for #MyBTStory Fan Challenge
BTS have come up with a new way for ARMY to share their memories with the boy band, and it’s all happening on YouTube. On Monday (June 6), the K-pop idols announced their new fan initiative #MyBTStory, which officially launches this Friday in an exclusive partnership with the streaming hub’s YouTube Shorts. “Dear ARMY, For nine years you have been our greatest champions,” the septet wrote in a letter posted to YouTube’s official blog. “As we embark on the journey to our tenth year as a band, we want to remember and celebrate all the special moments we’ve had together so far. Beginning this Saturday, we want to ask you to share your BTS stories with us, and each other, on YouTube Shorts.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The note continue...
Fans Choose SEVENTEEN’s ‘Face the Sun’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music
SEVENTEEN’s highly anticipated album, Face the Sun, has topped this week’s new music poll. Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (May 27) on Billboard, choosing the K-pop collective’s new project as their favorite new music release of the past week. Face the Sun brought in 94% of the vote, beating out new music by Calvin Harris with Dua Lipa and Young Thug (“Potion”), Eminem (“Jimmy, Brian and Mike”), Tate McRae (I Used to Think I Could Fly), and Blackbear with Machine Gun Kelly (“GFY”). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Face the Sun is SEVENTEEN’s fourth studio album and first in almost three years. Spanning nine tracks, the new set features the group’s first English-language song “Darl+ing.” As one of the act’s main producers and ...
BTS Share Memories of Early Songs in First Episode of ‘Past & Present’ Radio Series on Apple Music
BTS took a trip down memory lane during the first episode of BTS Radio: Past & Present on Apple Music 1. The K-pop superstars launched the weekly limited series on Saturday (May 28) with an hour-long show that gave listeners an inside look into some of the septet’s early recordings dating back to 2013. “We wanted to use this radio show to celebrate nine years of BTS with you guys and with our ARMY all over the world,” RM said in announcing the three-episode series. “Every episode is dedicated to you,” the singer continued. “We wanted to share the BTS songs that help tell our story.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news During Saturday’s inaugural episode, the South Korean group discussed songs including “Intro: The Most Beautiful Moment ...
BTS Share Secrets From the Set of ‘My Universe’ Video With Coldplay in New Making-Of Clip
It’s time to go BTS with BTS. On Wednesday (May 25), the K-pop act shared a new behind-the-scenes look at making the “My Universe” video for their Billboard Hot 100-topping collaboration with Coldplay. “The concept of this [music video] is that we’re in a world without music and Coldplay and BTS stand up against it,” RM explains in front of a massive green screen from the set, while Jin adds, “Everything here will have CGI. And we’re in these outfits like a group of rebels. … We each have planets. So we have our planet and there are aliens out there too. But this is a world where music is forbidden. We still sing out ‘My Universe’ from each of our planets. We go against the oppression and sing our song.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Later on...
