Celebrity
BTS Used To Work “28.5 Days” A Month & 8 More New Revelations
The global superstars also confessed how the pandemic “sapped our energy and killed our morale.”
Courtesy of Billboard/Sunhye Shin
1. RM on BTS’s lasting impact:
In a new Billboard cover story published on Aug. 26, RM said he wasn’t sure what BTS would be remembered for in the future. “When the dust settles and we come down from our pedestal, we’ll be able to tell,” he said. “At the moment, we’re standing in the eye of the cyclone. I don’t think we or anyone else can accurately say anything.”
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3. Jungkook on growing up in BTS:
Youngest member Jungkook was quick to agree that the group’s path to superstardom hasn’t been an easy one. “The road up to here has been arduous,” he shared. “It’s taken a toll on my health, and I think we’ve put in every bit of our youth and more.”
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4. J-Hope on how BTS has evolved:
The sunshine-personified rapper and dancer explained that BTS’ viewpoint has greatly shifted as they’ve grown up over the course of the past eight years. “You can’t ignore experience,” he said. “When we were 20, we had the guts. We charged forward without looking. Now, we’re more prudent.”
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5. Jin on the group’s intense schedule:
According to eldest member Jin, the group’s schedule prior to the pandemic was incredibly taxing. “We used to get the monthly calendar with work scheduled on 28.5 days,” he revealed. Now, the group has gained what RM calls “a clear line between work and life” with time off to be themselves.
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6. RM on chart manipulation:
When asked about their passionate fanbase and whether its repeated purchasing of songs could be considered chart manipulation, leader RM deferred to Billboard to right the issue if they saw one. “If there is a conversation inside Billboard about what being No. 1 should represent, then it’s up to them to change the rules and make streaming weigh more on the ranking,” he said.
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He did, however, add that coming for the group’s fanbase for their steadfast support didn’t sit well with him. “Slamming us or our fans for getting to No. 1 with physical sales and downloads, I don’t know if that’s right,” he stated. “It just feels like we’re easy targets because we’re a boy band, a K-pop act, and we have this high fan loyalty.”
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7. How the pandemic has affected their mental health:
In addition to their music, BTS revealed the heavy toll the pandemic has taken on them mentally. “Sometimes, I just feel like taking some time off. Other times, I feel like I need to keep moving.” V admitted. “Letting these emotions hurt me, torment me and scream inside me was upsetting.” RM added: “It sapped our energy and killed our morale.”
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8. Jimin on performing without a crowd:
The singer described the “nerve-wracking” experience of holding virtual concerts to connect with fans during the pandemic and how it affected him. “When we went onstage, there were just a lot of video cameras in the place the audience was supposed to be,” he said. “I know I should be grateful for the chance to perform at all, but it was painful.”
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9. On the release of English singles:
BTS shared they weren’t all in the same boat when it came to releasing songs entirely in English like “Permission To Dance” and “Butter.” Jin explained that he had to “erase everything” in his head prior to recording the tracks. “The English I learned in class was so different from the English in the song,” he explained.