• By Sukanya Saha
  • Sun, 09 Jul 2023 04:15 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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BTS, the globally renowned group, recently celebrated their momentous 10-year journey together. Throughout their career, they have achieved extraordinary feats that are truly unique. To commemorate this milestone, on ARMY DAY (the day marking the formation of their fandom), BTS released their first book titled ‘Beyond The Story: 10-Year Record of BTS.’ This book delves into untold narratives and unveils captivating stories that go beyond what the world already knows about the group.

BTS, consisting of RM, Jimin, J-hope, Jin, Suga, Jungkook, and V, have collaboratively authored their first official book. Assisting in the narrative is journalist Myeongseok Kang. In a press release by BigHit Music, it is stated that the book provides a chronological overview of BTS' musical journey, spanning from their pre-debut era to the present, while also offering glimpses into their future endeavours. The aim is for "BEYOND THE STORY" to serve as an intimate and transparent connection between BTS and their dedicated fanbase, ARMY.

“‘BEYOND THE STORY’ is the first ever official book of BTS, which contains a chronological summary of BTS’ music career from their pre-debut days to the present as well as anticipations for their future endeavors. We hope “BEYOND THE STORY” will become a “candid record shared” between BTS and ARMY.

“Please look forward to the vivid voices of BTS shared in this book, and we sincerely thank ARMY for continuing to support BTS and their journey.” The book will initially be published in Korean and subsequently be made available in 23 additional languages for a wider international audience to enjoy.

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Fans have revealed some spoilers from the book, shedding light on the personal struggles and challenges faced by the BTS members on their journey to success. These revelations include V and Jimin discussing the Dumpling fight, Namjoon sharing the pressures of handling American interviews, V expressing exhaustion from filming for Hwarang and working on the BTS album simultaneously, and Jin admitting he contemplated leaving the entertainment industry if the other members did not renew their contracts.

Each member reflected on the challenges they faced and the obstacles they had to overcome during the past decade to reach their current position.

Expectations Were High From Start:

Similar to their peers in the K-pop industry, the seven people who make up BTS began their journey as "trainees" within the structured talent development system of the Korean music industry. Under this system, talent agencies provided accommodation and training to aspiring artists, focusing on honing their dancing and singing skills, with the ultimate goal of debuting them as "idols."

Back in 2012, as BTS was gradually being formed, BigHit Entertainment had also launched a girl group named GLAM. However, GLAM was already facing challenges and struggling to gain traction. As a result, BigHit's expectations and aspirations now rested on the shoulders of seven young men in their late teens and early twenties. The pressure to succeed was heightened, but these individuals were entrusted with the task of carrying BigHit's hopes forward.

BTS Broke K-Pop Norms:

While BTS is recognised worldwide as prominent representatives of K-pop, ‘Beyond the Story’ suggests that their greatest achievements stemmed from defying the norms of the genre.

In the realm of K-pop, it is customary for lead singles to be energetic, dance-oriented tracks accompanied by visually striking music videos showcasing intricate choreography. However, BTS challenged this norm with their breakout hit in Korea, ‘I Need U.’ Departing from the expected formula, the song offered a melancholic vibe, while its accompanying video delved into themes of family trauma and violence.

"The way we expressed the emotions was really important," J-Hope says. "When I danced, I got into the character of a boy hanging off the edge of a cliff."

(Image credit: Reuters)

Diverging from the prevailing trend among K-pop groups, BTS continued to venture into these darker themes in subsequent projects. One notable example is their 2016 album ‘Wings,’ which took inspiration from Hermann Hesse's psychological novel ‘Demian’ to delve into themes of temptation, shame, and personal transformation.

BTS Members Were Constantly Exhausted:

As BTS started gaining traction in the US, the members found themselves with little to no days off. “We really had no days off,” Jin says. “I wondered whether it was right for a person to live a life as exhausted as this.”

The group also faced a significant challenge in navigating the English-speaking press. RM, being the only fluent English speaker, often worried about making mistakes that could have far-reaching consequences.

Reflecting on their interactions with the press at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, RM shared, "It felt like I was having a mental breakdown."

BTS Contract Renewal:

As the members of the group were experiencing burnout during this period, their contract renewals became a topic of discussion, raising concerns about the possibility of BTS disbanding.

According to Jin, due to the strong bond among the seven members, if even one person were to leave, the group's existence would likely be in jeopardy.

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The book sheds light on the personal challenges each member faced in dealing with burnout and the pressures of fame. It is revealed that the youngest member, Jungkook, turned to drinking alone as a coping mechanism, while Jimin, known for his vocals and dancing, sought solace by isolating himself in a small confined space.

Doubts About Dynamite:

Despite BTS achieving numerous historic milestones, not all the members were initially convinced about the idea of releasing their first English language song, ‘Dynamite,’ in August 2020. RM, in particular, expressed concerns that the song might have been written by an “outsider” rather than the group themselves.

However, the overwhelming global response to the upbeat and catchy track reassured the group, as 'Dynamite' soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking their first-ever song to achieve this milestone.

"We were all overjoyed together," V says. "Someone was laughing and someone was crying, and it was all … 'Ah, we weren’t going down a dead end this whole time.'"

Jimin and Jungkook's Ordeal:

In the photos, Jimin and Jungkook shared their personal experiences of a night they spent filming a music video together. Jimin expresses his concerns for Jungkook, acknowledging that the group's cherished Golden Maknae is not known for readily opening up about his emotions.

“One time after filming, I went to drink alone and drinking alone it was like… I felt so hopeless. But that was the time I was really into taking photos of this and that on my camera. And so, I set up my phone camera in front of me and spoke to myself as if I was doing a YouTube stream… and I was drinking the same time. But then Jimin suddenly appeared," Jungkook recalls in the book.

Sharing his side of the story, Jimin revealed, “I was a bit worried about Jungkook and so I asked the staff and they said he’d gone for a drink." The ‘Filter’ singer requested the staff to take him to the spot and he saw Jungkook filming himself. “When I went inside, Jungkook was alone with the camera set up, drinking. That was how we ended up talking," Jimin added.

"I don't remember much of what we talked about but I was pretty moved that Jimin had come. Because he’d come to comfort me," Jungkook added. "Listening to what he had to say, I learned for the first time just how much he was struggling and I cried a lot. I'd had no idea. Jungkook had tried not to talk about it but the drink kicked in and he talked," Jimin said.

The heartfelt story has resonated with fans, who have been sending an outpouring of love and support to the BTS members.