Korea Observer

BTS’ ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ becomes only pop album certified platinum in US in 2020 : BTS and the cover of their 'Map of the Soul: 7' album. (Big Hit) The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) revealed that K-pop superstars BTS’ “Map of the Soul: 7” has earned the distinction of being the only pop album that was awarded platinum certification in the US in 2020. In it

Korea promulgates law to allow BTS to postpone military service until age 30 : BTS (Twitter) The Korean government promulgated on Dec. 22 a law that will allow K-pop superstars BTS and other pop culture artists to postpone their military service until age 30. This came after South Korea’s National Assembly passed a bill on Dec. 1 that grants outstanding pop culture artis

BTS online concert, ‘Dynamite,’ ‘Parasite’ among Google’s top trending searches in 2020 : BTS (top) and “Parasite” (Twitter, CJ, Barunson, KOFIC) K-pop superstars BTS’ online concert and song “Dynamite,” and the Oscar winning Korean film “Parasite” were among Google’s top trending searches globally in 2020. Google has released the lists of the Year in Search 2020, which were “based

Grammy nominee BTS bags multiple places on Billboard’s 2020 year-end charts : BTS (Twitter) Billboard has released its annual year-end charts and K-pop idol group and Grammy nominee BTS placed in many rankings including bagging the No. 1 spots. In the overall rankings, BTS grabbed 18th place on the Top Artists for 2020 from 15th in 2019, 8th in 2018 and 10th in 2017.

BTS ‘BE’ debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, K-pop idol group’s fifth album to achieve feat : BTS (Twitter) Grammy-nominated BTS’ “BE (Deluxe Edition)” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200, their second album this year to achieve the feat and fifth overall. According to Billboard, “BE,” released on Nov. 20, has garnered 242,000 equivalent album units earned in the US in the week ending No

TWICE, NCT, BTS, Kim Soo-hyun bag grand prizes at 2020 Asia Artist Awards : (Clockwise from top left) BTS, Kim Soo-hyun, TWICE, GOT7, NCT and Monsta X (Twitter, Instagram) Singers TWICE, NCT, BTS, GOT7, Monsta X and Im Young-woong, and actors Kim Soo-hyun and Lee Jung-jae emerged as the grand prize winners at the 2020 Asia Artist Awards (AAA) held on Nov. 28 in South Kor

Total first-week sales of Grammy nominee BTS’ ‘BE’ album reach 2.27 million copies

With Grammy nomination, BTS writes new chapter in K-pop history : (Top) BTS in Manila on Dec. 6, 2014 during the interview and (bottom) the group’s photo for “Dynamite” (Photos: Jonathan Hicap, Big Hit) K-pop powerhouse BTS added a new chapter in K-pop history when they got nominated for the first time for the prestigious Grammy Awards. BTS are nominated for

Update: Typhoon ‘Ulysses’ donation funds by BTS ARMYs in the Philippines reach P3 million : BTS fans in the Philippines have raised a total of P3,106,697.92 (about $64,495) as of Nov. 16 to help families and communities affected by typhoon “Ulysses” (international name “Vamco”), which left 67 people dead and caused massive flooding in many areas including Cagayan and Tuguegarao. According to the National Disaster […]

China’s foreign ministry denies government blocking entry of BTS goods : China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied that the government has blocked the entry of goods related to K-pop superstars BTS into the country. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made this statement during a regular press conference on Oct. 21 when he was asked if China’s General Administration of Customs […]

Korean drama ‘Youth’ names 7 actors to play BTS members : Seven actors who will play the roles of alter egos of the members of K-pop superstars BTS in a Korean drama have been revealed. Titled “Youth,” the drama will depict BTS’ worldview and is based on BTS Universe, an alternate or parallel universe, which has a narrative that is separate […]

By Jonathan Hicap  Three soldiers in their 20s in North Korea were reportedly arrested by authorities after they were caught dancing to the choreography of a hit song by K-pop boy band BTS.  Daily NK, a Seoul-based news website dedicated to anything about North Korea, reported on Aug. 11 that the three North Korean soldiers were nabbed while on tour at Baekdu Mountain, which borders North Korea and China.  They are awaiting punishment for dancing to the choreography of the BTS hit song “Blood Sweat & Tears,” a song released as part of the boy band’s album “Wings” in 2016. The song’s music video has so far garnered 613 million views on YouTube. 

http://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2017/05/11/bts-soars-in-sold-out-manila-concert/ via @manila_bulletin

Video reaches 10M views in record time http://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2017/02/14/video-reaches-10m-views-in-record-time/

Seven-member K-pop boy band BTS drew a full house at the Mall of Asia Arena when they held a concert there over the weekend.

K-pop boy band BTS have started their “BTS Live” concert tour in Asia and their agency have reminded fans to be courteous and follow fan etiquette. BTS members being swarmed by fans at Taiwan airport on June 8 (Screenshot from BTS Kindergarten video on YouTube)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop boy band BTS, or Bangtan Boys, will be heading to Manila for a concert in December. The seven-member K-pop group will be holding their first solo concert “2014 BTS Live Trilogy in Manila Episode II: The Red Bullet” on December 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena, according to Happee Sy of Pulp Live World Productions.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Seoul, South Korea – Korean music TV shows showcasing the most popular K-pop singers continue to draw local and international fans. Bulletin Entertainment  witnessed how these fans would even brave the coldest of weathers to see their idols in person.