BTS’ new single, Life Goes On, is the first song performed predominately in a language that is not English to debut at number one on Billboard 200 and the Hot 100.
There is a K-pop, which is pop music performed by artists from South Korea, explosion taking place in music. BTS is the most popular K-pop group, but there are many others that have followed in their footsteps over the years. It’s surprising that BTS has been making music for the last seven years, and the bandmembers are still able to connect with Millennials and Generation Z with a global fanbase.
BTS is currently the most popular boyband in the world. They recently had a successful tour where they performed all over the world, worked on new music and are releasing new tracks that their management thinks will resonate with its fanbase. Their latest single has not been out for too long yet, but the official music video on YouTube already has more than 160 million views at this time.
For critics that are unfamiliar with K-pop, they may hear BTS’s music and not understand the significance of it and their performances. BTS has it all; they can sing, rap, play instruments and dance. When they collaborate their talents they always come up with unique songs and performances. They are not popular because they were the first K-pop band to be played on radio in every continent, buy they are extremely talented, and deserve the recognition due to the work they put into rehearsing performances and recording in the studio.
While K-pop is already popular in South Korea, it is becoming a style of music and a culture that is being appreciated by all of their fans in different territories. Their influence has also opened doors for other Korean artist to showcase their work to markets around the world. For example, at the 2020 Academy Awards, a Korean film entitled Parasite won four Oscars including Best Picture.
Back in September the band released a single-Dynamite. This song is sung predominately in English. It still ranks at number three on the record chart and they still have five previously released songs on The Hot 100.
Life Goes On is BTS’ third number one in three months.
With their latest single, BTS has broken The Beatles’ record of having songs quickly debut at number one; The Beatles did it with “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “She Loves You”, and “Can’t Buy Me Love”.
It is interesting when comparing BTS with the Beatles. Both bands were from countries outside the United States, and ended up making history in the country. They are also similar because they took their success in America and brought it to fans all over the world. It is important to keep in mind that back in the 60s, the Beatles did not have music-streaming services. They had vinyl records and radio. Their fans could not download their albums, they would have to go to a record store to pick up a copy. BTS has the benefit of their fans having the ability to download their music instantly or use a music-streaming service. Even if both bands had the same marketing resources, BTS probably would still break the Beatles records because they are literally a worldwide phenomenon that music has never seen before.