Ten years, seven kids from nowhere, and a string of moments so wild they read like a movie montage — BTS didn’t just climb the charts, they rewrote the rules of pop stardom. From tearful first wins in cramped studios to stadium surprises!
Can you believe BTS has been with us for ten years? From scrappy beginnings to global stages, their story is one of grit, talent and connection — not just between seven artists, but between them and ARMY. They started without big-company backing, played small shows, and faced doubt. Over the decade they sold out stadiums, smashed records, earned awards and used their platform for causes beyond music. Here are ten moments that helped define their rise.
Nearly two years after debut, BTS scored their first televised music-show victory with “I Need U” from The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1. The win felt like survival and salvation: the members had feared that album might be their last, so the shock and joy on stage was unforgettable. They even thanked fans by taking some ARMY to the cinema.
In 2016 BTS won their first Daesang — Album of the Year at the Melon Music Awards for The Most Beautiful Moment In Life: Young Forever. The moment carried huge emotional weight: members wept, speeches brimmed with gratitude, and it marked a turning point in public recognition.
At the 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards, the group revealed a painful secret: they had once discussed disbanding. Jin’s disclosure and the members’ immediate tears exposed how high the stakes were even as their profile grew. It was a raw reminder that success often sits beside struggle.
BTS partnered with UNICEF on the “Love Myself” campaign and took that message to the United Nations. RM’s speech inspired millions; later, the whole group spoke at the UN, using their reach to champion youth and anti-violence efforts — a concrete example of pop influence aimed at public good.
At their Wembley show, thousands of ARMY organised a surprise — singing “Young Forever” in unison — and stunned the members. The emotional reaction, caught on film and included in later docs, showed how deeply the band and fans feel for each other.
In a difficult year for the world, BTS released “Dynamite.” The song topped the Billboard Hot 100, a milestone that signalled not just commercial dominance but the group’s global cultural reach. It became a unifying, celebratory anthem during a hard moment.
“Dynamite” also earned BTS their first Grammy nomination — a watershed in the group’s long quest for international recognition. The moment of seeing their name on that list captured how far they’d come.
Their Grammy performance of “Butter” wasn’t smooth behind the scenes: COVID diagnoses, injuries, and last-minute logistics threatened the show. Still, BTS delivered one of the night’s most talked-about performances and received a standing ovation — proof of artistry under pressure.
BTS visited the White House to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes, meeting with U.S. officials and reporters. The invitation highlighted how the group uses influence for social causes and civic dialogue beyond entertainment.
At the 2021 American Music Awards BTS won Artist of the Year, after a performance that paired them with Coldplay. The award and the moment onstage captured both the scale of their success and the bittersweet awareness of individual paths ahead as members prepared for pauses and solo work.
