On the first day of the new year, the global music scene erupted with news that K-pop superstars BTS would be making their return on March 20. The release of a full album with all seven members marks the end of a three-year hiatus in group activities due to military service. The New York Times commented that “the group’s new album and tour will serve as a decisive catalyst, once again injecting vitality into the industry as a whole.”

BTS have been active for over a decade, and countless new K-pop acts debut and rise to prominence each year but their absence made one reality clear to everyone: “BTS’s presence is soмєтнing no one can easily approach.” This is precisely why their return in 2026 became a global focal point as early as six months before all members completed their military service.

From being clαѕѕic underdogs in the K-pop scene a decade ago, BTS have rewritten the industry’s established order through talent and ambition, rising to become the most anticipated return of today’s “21st-century pop icon.” Their journey is truly one of a kind and deeply admirable. As excitement builds toward March 20, let us look back at ten unforgettable moments from BTS’s journey of pushing and conquering every limit:

1. "Artist of the Year" at MAMA 2016: The spectacular overthrow of the "underdogs":

Their first Daesang at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) marked the beginning of a journey that would see them rise to become a leading global group. Prior to that, K-pop had been completely dominated by the so-called Big 3—SM, JYP, and YG. Simply put, any artist debuting under these three companies was almost guaranteed the greatest popularity, the most recognition, and, naturally, preferential treatment at major award ceremonies.

By contrast, BigHit Entertainment at the time was truly a small and virtually unknown company—so much so that in BTS’s debut year, it could not even secure an invitation to MAMA. Yet just three years later, it was MAMA itself that had to acknowledge BTS’s outstanding musical success, awarding them one of the ceremony’s most prestigious lifetime honors.

That Daesang at MAMA was not merely a trophy; it was a powerful acknowledgment from an industry that had once turned its back on them.

2. The First global boost at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards: 

The "Top Social Artist" award at the Billboard Music Awards is not only a personal achievement, but also a milestone for Kpop to officially enter the mainstream of αмєяι¢αn music. For the first time, BTS's name rang out among top artists such as Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and they won thanks to the power of the global fandom.

3. "Love Yourself: Tear" Topping Billboard 200: Breaking language barriers

By entering the Billboard 200 with an album entirely in кσяєαn, BTS has successfully proven that music knows no borders. Love Yourself: Tear is not just an album, it is a global movement of self-love, contributing to changing the world's view of K-pop as a sustainable phenomenon, not a pαѕѕing fad.

4. Speech at the United Nations and the "Love Myself" campaign: When artists become social activists

The moment BTS appeared at the United Nations was a symbolic moment, showing the group's influence not only in the music field but also in politics, culture, and society. At the same time, it also affirmed the group's position as "21st century pop icon", "The treasure of кσяєα".

RM represented the whole group to deliver an impressive speech, promoting the "Love Myself" campaign in cooperation with UNICEF, which was also the moment BTS went beyond the role of artists, becoming the voice of global youth, encouraging self-confidence, self-acceptance and fιgнтing for a better world.

5. "Dynamite": A global нιт amid the pandemic

Amid a world gripped by uncertainty due to ¢σνι∂-19, “Dynamite” emerged as an emotional lift, delivering an upbeat sound and an optimistic message. Beyond that, the song became a major breakthrough that firmly cemented BTS’s musical identity on the global stage, as it became the first K-pop song in history to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, expanding the boundaries not only for the group itself but also for the artists who would follow.

6. GRAMMY Nominations: A Historic Step in the International Music Industry

The Grammy Awards place a strong emphasis on musical quality, artistry, technical excellence, and long-term impact, which is why they are often referred to as the “Oscars of music.” Being nominated for or winning a Grammy represents the highest level of professional recognition for an artist—especially for K-pop idols, who have traditionally not been regarded on the same level as US-UK artists. BTS’s Grammy nomination was therefore not only a historic personal achievement, but also a signal of a shift in the long-standing mindset of the Western music industry—one that places K-pop on equal footing with other global genres.

In other words, BTS compelled the world to acknowledge the value of K-pop, recognize its presence, and paved the way for K-pop artists and Asian musicians in the international music market.

7. "Butter": Proof of their heat never cooling down

Released in the summer of 2021, Butter swept every chart, from Billboard to YouTube. With its catchy melody and smart marketing strategy, BTS showed that they are not a "one-time phenomenon", but a stable musical force, capable of creating consecutive нιтs and maintaining the top spot.

8. Appointed as Presidential Special Envoy

In September 2021, BTS is no longer a national group, but a national icon. When President Moon Jae-in appointed them as Special Envoys for Culture, BTS became a "power" of кσяєαn diplomacy, conveying positive messages to young people and the world through their images, thoughts and actions.

9. Album "Proof" and Chapter 2 - transparent, mature and different

The album Proof holds a special and pivotal place in BTS’s career, not only musically but also in terms of narrative, identity, and the group’s overall journey. Released as an anthology album at a moment when the group stood at a major crossroads—temporarily halting group activities to fulfill military service and focus on solo paths—it serves as a deliberate summation of nearly a decade of work. Rather than an ending, Proof is a necessary pause before a larger new chapter in BTS’s career.

Notably, “Yet To Come,” a track from Proof, was nominated in the Best Music Video category at the 65th GRAMMY Awards (2023). This marked a highly significant milestone, as it was the first time in history that a кσяєαn-language song received a GRAMMY nomination, even if in a music video category. Through this, BTS not only continued to earn recognition on the world’s most prestigious music stage, but also helped кσяєαn language music and K-pop take an important step forward in gaining acknowledgment from the Western music industry.

10. Speech at the Wнιтe House

In June 2022, BTS appeared at the Wнιтe House at the invitation of President Joe Biden to discuss anti-Asian hate. Here, they did not sing, did not dance, just spoke, but each of their words was a declaration of equality, diversity and the power of Asian culture. At that moment, BTS was not just an artist but they were representatives of a new generation: sober, idealistic and responsible.

From small stages in South кσяєα to standing at the Wнιтe House, BTS have accomplished what few would even dare to dream of: changing how the world perceives K-pop—and, beyond that, Asian culture as a whole. And one thing is certain: the “BTS legacy” is still being written, fueled by the seven members’ talent and an unextinguishable drive.

BTS’s return this March is widely expected to continue breaking new barriers—not only in terms of achievements on the Billboard (U.S.) and Official Charts (U.K.), but also in their pursuit of a GRAMMY win. SUGA once said at a press conference in Los Angeles, “It won’t be easy, but I know there are still walls to overcome, and I’m grateful that we can continue to challenge ourselves,” adding, “There’s no tree that won’t fall after being struck ten times. Wanting it to fall after just two strikes would be greedy.”

With that mindset, ARMYs around the world are ready to stand alongside BTS and help create yet another year filled with milestones and success!