BTS is one of the biggest music sensations in history. Here's a look back on their meteoric rise to stardom.

Inyoung ChoiJul 28, 2020, 02:50 IST

V, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga, Jimin, and J-Hope were awarded Order of Cultural Merit at the 2018 Korean Popular Culture And Arts Awards In Seoul.Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images

BTS is a seven-member K-pop group that has become a global sensation.
They were originally discovered in 2010 and released their first album in 2013.
BTS fans call themselves A.R.M.Y., which stands for "Adorable M.C. for Youth."
From their thoughtful lyrics to fans' digital activism, Insider chronicled BTS's meteoric rise with insight from K-pop and music industry experts.

BTS might be the most popular boy group the world has ever seen.

With record-setting views for their YouTube music videos and album purchases along with their money-making star power — the group brought in $130 million in 2019 sales from merchandising alone, according to The Hollywood Reporter — the seven-member K-pop group has become a worldwide sensation.

Insider took a look at BTS's meteoric rise to stardom and how the members have transformed the music industry with insight from K-pop and music industry experts as well as a recently published Harvard Business School case study that analyzed the band's success.

The BTS members were first discovered in the fall of 2010.

BTS performs at "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in LA in 2017. RB/Bauer-Griffin /Getty Images

Before they became a band, they started as trainees for Big Hit Entertainment.

Jungkook (center) performs at 102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2019 Presented by Capital One in LA. Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

Training to become a K-pop band can take up to three years, according to the case study.

BTS practicing. The group trained for three years to become BTS. The Late Late Show/YouTube

BTS was originally envisioned as a hip-hop group, but the band pivoted to the "idol model."

BTS attends the 100th episode of Korean network MBC's "Show Champion" in Seoul in March 2014. STARNEWS/Getty Images

BTS debuted the band's first album in 2013.

BTS at their debut show case in Seoul in June 2013. Ilgan Sports/Getty Images

Their music often carries messages around social issues, which has become part of the group's musical identity.

BTS performs in 2014 in Incheon, South Korea. Choi Soo-Young/Getty Images

BTS also strongly embraces their identity as Korean artists in their music.

BTS performs "Idol" at "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in September 2018. NBC/Getty Images

Around a year after their debut, fans formed an official fan club called "A.R.M.Y." to support BTS.

"A.R.M.Y." is short for "Adorable M.C. for Youth." JNI/Star Max/Getty Images

BTS fans have grown their presence in the age of social media.

K-pop fans said they reserved thousands of tickets for Trump's rally in Oklahoma before not showing up. Win McNamee/Getty Images

BTS has set numerous records since 2013.

BTS at the 2017 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Jason LaVeris/Getty Images

BTS became the first K-pop artist to present at the Grammy Awards in 2019. The year after, the group became the first K-pop artist to perform at the award show.

In 2019, BTS became the first K-pop artist to present at the Grammy Awards. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The sky's the limit for BTS.

BTS performs at "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" in 2020. Lorenzo Bevilaqua/Getty Images

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