BTS:
BTS (or "Bulletproof Boy Scouts"), also known as the "Bangtan Boys", is a South Korean boy band formed in 2010.
The band consists of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, who co-write and co-produce the majority of their material.
Originally a hip hop group, their musical style has evolved to incorporate a wide range of genres, while their lyricism has focussed on subjects including mental health, the troubles of school-age youth and coming of age, loss, the journey towards self-love, individualism, and the consequences of fame and recognition.
Their discography and adjacent work have also referenced literature, philosophy and psychological concepts, and includes an alternate universe storyline.
BTS debuted in 2013 under "Big Hit Entertainment" with the single album "2 Cool 4 Skool".
BTS released their first Korean and Japanese-language studio albums, "Dark & Wild" and "Wake Up" respectively, in 2014.
The group's second Korean studio album, "Wings" (2016), was their first to sell one million copies in South Korea.
By 2017, BTS had crossed into the global music market and led the Korean wave into the United States, becoming the first Korean ensemble to receive a Gold Certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for their single "Mic Drop", as well as the first act from South Korea to top the Billboard 200 with their studio album "Love Yourself: Tear" (2018).
In 2020, BTS became one of the few groups since the Beatles (in 1966–1968) to chart four US number-one albums in less than two years, with "Love Yourself: Answer" (2018) becoming the first Korean album certified Platinum by the RIAA; in the same year, they also became the first all-South Korean act to reach number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Global 200 with their Grammy-nominated single "Dynamite".
Follow-up releases "Savage Love", "Life Goes On", "Butter", and "Permission to Dance" made them the fastest act to earn four US number-one singles since Justin Timberlake in 2006.
As of 2022, BTS is the best-selling artist in South Korean history according to the Circle Chart, having sold in excess of 30 million albums.
Their studio album "Map of the Soul:7" (2020) is the best-selling album of all time in South Korea, as well as the first in the country to surpass both four and five million registered sales.
They are the first non-English-speaking and Asian act to sell out concerts at Wembley Stadium and the Rose Bowl (Love Yourself World Tour, 2019), and were named the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry's (IFPI) Global Recording Artist of the Year for both 2020 and 2021.
The group's accolades include multiple American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, and nominations for five Grammy Awards.
Outside of music, they have addressed three sessions of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and partnered with UNICEF in 2017 to establish the "Love Myself anti-violence campaign".
Featured on Time's international cover as "Next Generation Leaders" and dubbed the "Princes of Pop", BTS has also appeared on Time's lists of the 25 most influential people on the internet (2017–2019) and the 100 most influential people in the world (2019), and in 2018 became the youngest recipients of the South Korean Order of Cultural Merit for their contributions in spreading the Korean culture and language.
In 07/2021, they were appointed "Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture" by President Moon.
In their role as envoys, they help to "raise awareness on global agendas, such as sustainable development, to our future generations and to strengthen the nation's diplomatic power across the world" and appear at international events such as the 76th United Nations General Assembly.
On 31.05.2022, BTS visited US President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss the recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination.
On 14.06.2022, the group announced a scheduled pause in group activities to enable the members to complete their mandatory South Korean military service, with a reunion planned for 2025. Jin, the oldest member, became the first to enlist, on December 13, 2022.
The Commemorative Gold & Silver Medals:
To celebrate the BTS 10th Anniversary of their debut (2013-2023), the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (KOMSCO) has released Gold and Silver Commemorative medals on the 21st Century Pop Icons BTS.
This commemorative medal depicts the motif of "BTS logo" and the number "10". BTS are one of the biggest pop icons in history. BTS consist of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook.
i) The specifications of the Gold Medals are:
Name of the Country: Republic of South Korea; Year of issue: 05/2023; Coin/Medal Theme: "BTS Pop Group Debut - 10th Anniversary (2013-2023)"; Mint: The Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (KOMSCO); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 31.1 grams or 1.00 Oz; Diameter/Size: 40.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mintage: 1,000 pieces; Shipped from: 05/2023.
ii) The specifications of the Silver Medals are:
Name of the Country: Republic of South Korea; Year of issue: 05/2023; Coin/Medal Theme: "BTS Pop Group Debut - 10th Anniversary (2013-2023)"; Mint: The Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (KOMSCO); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 15.5 grams or 1/2 Oz; Diameter/Size: 32.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mintage: 77,777 pieces; Shipped from: 05/2023.
2) Coinage & Currency of South Korea: (Part II): Historical Development of Banknotes
3) PyeongChang 2018 or PyeongChang Winter Olympics to be held in South Korea from 09-25 Fen 2018 and Paralympics from 09-18 March 2018. A 2,000 Won Banknote issued by Bank of Korea on 17.11.2017
4) Jirisan and Bukhansan National Parks, South Korea: Bank of Korea commenced the National Park series with the issue of two silver 30,000 Won coins in 2017
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