Paving the way for a new golden age for K-POP,... BTS is knocking down records by the day.
But how did this seven-member group go from a local success story to a global sensation... seemingly overnight?
Other K-POP artists have enjoyed success outside of Korea,... but our Hong Yoo tells us how it could be different this time.
South Korean boy band BTS set a new K-pop record this week, reaching the top of the Billboard 200.
Their new album "Love Yourself: Tear" became the first Korean album to rank first on that U.S. chart.
Still, they're not the first K-Pop artists to make the Billboard.
That title belongs to the Wonder Girls, who hit the charts in 2009.
And in 2012, Psy of "Gangnam Style" fame reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
But the only one to make it to the top is BTS.
Not only did they sell the most albums and tracks this week, but for their online activity, they also won "Top Social Artist" for the second year in a row at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.
This was the first time a South Korean artist has won a Billboard music award twice.
There are reasons why it was BTS that wrote a new chapter in K-Pop history.
"Their main difference with other K-Pop artists is that BTS made their way to the top step by step, already having a fanbase. They won more fans based on their music, and due to that fandom, BTS was able to make it into the U.S. Language is no longer a limit in the global market."
This was the first time in 12 years an album not in English reached this level.
That BTS sings mostly in Korean... clearly isn't a problem for their fans.
"I love them so much. It's really amazing that they came from a non-victory company but could come this far. It gave so much people hope. So I don't feel like we are fans and idols but we feel like a big family together."
"Their song always includes social issues that many people can relate so much to the song that they sing in their album."
BTS found a way to reach a global audience with their songs and opened a whole new avenue for K-pop.
With so much momentum, eyes are on what they'll contribute next to the world of K-pop and beyond.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.
