BTS: Music superstars whose hits are a mystery in Africa

Raymond Jaravaza – [email protected]

FIVE days ago, skyscrapers, bridges and other landmarks were lit up in purple in Seoul, South Korea, as the country celebrated its music icons.

The Bangtan Boys (BTS), a group of seven youths are a source of national pride in South Korea. Their popularity on the world music stage fills Koreans with so much pride. BTS are a pop music boy band that was formed in 2013.

Their global influence has reached almost unfathomable heights. BTS’s YouTube channel has over 70 million subscribers. As of yesterday morning, their hit track Blood Sweat and Tears had surpassed 500 million streams on Spotify — a digital music, podcast and video service platform.

But one thing baffles the mind, especially on this other side of the world, how a boy band with so much global popularity is almost unknown in Africa. Readers will certainly be scratching their heads trying to imagine who BTS really is.

Recently South Korea’s capital lit up its skies in purple as the country began celebrating the boy band’s 10th anniversary. The lights will provide the backdrop for various social media-driven events marking the 2013 debut of the seven-member group, which is now on a temporary hiatus as its singers take turns releasing solo material while the others begin to serve their mandatory military duties.

From Monday evening, numerous Seoul structures will be bathed in purple, a colour associated with BTS.

BTS’ popularity expanded across the globe with their 2020 megahit Dynamite, the band’s first all-English song that made it the first K-pop act to top Billboard’s Hot 100.

BTS has since performed in sold-out arenas around the world and was invited to speak at United Nations meetings, supported by a legion of global followers who call themselves the “Army.”

BTS’ activities as a full group are on hold as the artistes begin to serve in the military.

Two BTS singers — Jin and J-Hope — have already started their compulsory 18-month service and other members are to follow in coming months, which likely means the group will reconvene around 2025.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in uniform for 18-21 months.