In a local weather of ever-increasing competitors, it’s an actual feat when any band makes it to their tenth anniversary greater than ever. Such is the case with Ok-pop group BTS (quick for bangtan sonyeondan, “bulletproof boy scouts” in Korean). The band have launched their first official biography – Past The Story – to look again on their decade-long path to worldwide, record-breaking success.
Initially rumoured to be a Taylor Swift autobiography, pre-orders had made the ebook a bestseller earlier than its topic was introduced. It was launched to tie in with each BTS’s anniversary and their hiatus, undertaken in order that the members might enrol in obligatory Korean navy service.
For followers who’ve been there from the start, the ebook is a memento to covet. For western audiences who’ve found Ok-pop extra not too long ago, it’s a nice reintroduction to the BTS’s early incubation years. Having bought effectively over 40 million albums worldwide – and change into the youngest ever recipients of the South Korean Order of Cultural Benefit – BTS are amongst Korea’s most influential ambassadors.
Behind The Story was co-written by South Korean journalist Kang Myeong-seok and the band’s seven members. Following the oral historical past format that has benefited common music journalism books reminiscent of Lizzy Goodman’s Meet Me In The Lavatory (2011), it tracks the band’s historical past throughout 544 pages, culminating within the launch of their most up-to-date anthology album, Proof (2022).
One after the other, and in their very own phrases, we meet J-Hope, RM, Suga, Jungkook, Jin, Jimin and V. They recall their nervousness at changing into Ok-pop trainees, their completely different motivations and the components of efficiency they felt most susceptible about. Every knew that they must work impossibly arduous in the event that they have been to compete on the degree Ok-pop tradition calls for.
By means of anecdotes each humorous and transferring, we learn the way BTS bonded as a gaggle. The seven youngsters, who have been from fully completely different walks of life, have been arrange in a bunkhouse to discover ways to sing and dance as a slick skilled outfit.
In telling the story of BTS, Past The Story additionally tells the story of Ok-pop and the way its dynamics have modified through the years. Followers who cottoned onto BTS of their worldwide breakthrough period of songs reminiscent of Boy With Luv (2019) or Dynamite (2020) could assume that they all the time traded in upbeat pop. However their early years have been truly deeply rooted in American Hip-hop, a style Ok-pop has borrowed from because the early Nineties.
Whereas Ok-pop teams typically pleasure themselves on a method of perfectly-synchronous choreography generally known as kalgunmu (razor-sharp dancing), BTS’s hip-hop affect allowed them a sure looseness. Their musical hybridity helped to carry their particular person personalities to life.
Whereas it’s true that Korean administration firms intently information their stars’ public picture, and work them arduous from a really younger age, Past The Story challenges the stereotype of Ok-pop artists as mere efficiency puppets. There are a number of moments the place members recall direct involvement in styling, choreography or songwriting. In addition they focus on utilizing their platform to talk up on a spread of social and political points.
The group’s founding label Large Hit was thought of small once they launched. This meant the group have been regularly underestimated – even mocked – by their friends. However this underdog standing inspired them to experiment with DIY types of self-promotion. The members blogged on to a rising fanbase, for instance, as an alternative of counting on management-led channels.
It’s a mannequin that has paid off. Although Ok-pop nonetheless evokes pictures of spectacular polish and unison efficiency, newer teams reminiscent of Seventeen, Le Serrafim and Tomorrow X Collectively have been in a position to develop a mannequin which matches feats of dance athleticism with extra susceptible, private lyricism. This permits them to be each relatable and aspirational for worldwide audiences.
A brand new wave of music biography
Some prior understanding of the Ok-pop business could also be required to get probably the most out of the ebook (understanding how teams are sometimes assembled, for instance, or how aggressive Korean TV reveals work). However as a contribution to trendy music journalism, Past The Story is effective. As they study of the band’s insatiable work ethic, self-discipline and brotherly dedication, readers will really feel as in the event that they know every of the seven members significantly better, with a deeper understanding of how their music has developed since their debut.
It’s additionally extremely visible. Lush images neatly punctuates the chapters, guiding the reader easily via every BTS period. With pages that mark the observe listings and particular particulars of every launch, it’s simple to show to your favorite album or deal with the ebook as a reference textual content – a considerate, encyclopaedic blueprint for future artist biographies to come back.
The usage of QR codes all through (330, to be precise) can also be a wise innovation, recognising that followers may need to reminisce about (or uncover) the group’s music movies, dance practices and video logs for themselves as they learn. On this means, the ebook turns into a dwelling museum, actually immersive and interactive.
In fact, the BTS story is way from over. Amid their hiatus, the members are experiencing worldwide success with solo singles. Jimin not too long ago turned the primary Korean soloist to prime the US Billboard charts. At a time when Ok-pop feels greater than ever, their success story can solely encourage others who’re able to journey the unstoppable Korean wave to succeed in for his or her goals, or certainly, for his or her native bookstore.
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Jenessa Williams, PhD candidate, Media and Communication, College of Leeds
This text is republished from The Dialog underneath a Artistic Commons license. Learn the unique article.
