2. Jin, Real Name: Kim Seokjin, Birthdate: 12/4/1992
The eldest member who cares for his members dearly. He is a fantastic singer, and recently, contributed to the lyrics for his solo in BTS's latest album, a beautiful song about his limitations but perseverance. He is also the best dancer ever ;) He has a beautiful voice and puts his best efforts into the group, though he is too humble in his own talents. When he is on stage, you can hear his clean vocals project well, and in his covers, you can hear emotion flowing from his lungs. He is incredibly handsome and is confident in himself without being egotistical or treating people differently. While some turn to fad diets, a huge issue with a lot of idols and celebrities in general, he balances exercise and eating, showing fans that one can enjoy food and live a healthy lifestyle. This is important to young impressionable fans.
3. Suga/Agust D, Real Name: Min Yoongi, Birthdate: 3/9/1993
Yoongi is a strong individual, wise beyond his years and his life has more stories to it than most his age. This is a man who suffered anxiety, depression, and many other issues (see his mixtape, Agust D, for more. 'The Last' is probably the best example of what he has gone through). This does not make him weak and he doesn't look for sympathy. He put all of his suffering into his music, and is, in my opinion, one of the best lyricists in K-Pop. His words touch so many people, and he has the ability to put every possible emotion into his rap, such as anger, aggression, sadness, fear, vulnerability, and lastly, strength. His strength also shows in his confidence and ability to rap with amazing speed and charisma.
4. J-Hope, Real Name: Jung Hoseok, Birthdate: 2/18/1994
A very talented rapper as well as a sweet flower angel who loves life and people. He is the second most hyper member, as well as one of the silliest, but don't let that fool you. He is a beast of dancing. He dances hip-hop and you can swear he has no bones the way his body moves. He also is not a half bad singer, but though he usually plays around (see a certain performance with him and Yoongi). He is loving and honestly too precious for this cruel world. He also has helped produce many of BTS's songs, and puts a real effort to contribute his skills to the writing and composition. His energy in his performance carries on to even the other members. He showcases his skills as a rapper in two specific songs in the 'WINGS' album, allowing his abilities and unique addition to the rap line in the group.
5. Jimin, Real Name: Park Jimin, Birthday: 10/13/1995
This boy's vocals are so on point that while he had never released a cover like his members, his first solo track was met with great acclaim. Still, even after this, he still is humble in his beautiful and unique voice. Not only that, he is a amazing dancer, skilled in modern dance with hints of ballet added, which all add to a completely different style to the hip-hop skills of Hoseok, showing a more elegant and ethereal movement. He is far more talented than he gives himself credit for. He is also the member who constantly boosts the other members up. He will always offer positive messages to others, even if he doesn't always do enough for himself.
6. V, Real Name: Kim Taehyung, Birthdate: 12/30/1995
For sure the most hyper member of BTS, he is wild, fun, and just a precious angel. Despite this, he has a voice as deep as the sea. Fun Fact: Iris Stevenson, the choir director of an award winning music program for 30 years and also the inspiration behind the film Sister Act 2, told him that his voice is soulful, a voice that makes people feel. Couldn't agree more. He also has amazing range, and a unique tone that stands out among the singers in K-Pop. He also is the social butterfly of the group, famous for making friends in the strangest places, such as bathrooms, because he is Taehyung, and why not make friends anywhere he wants? He is a hyper man, but also offers thoughtful messages to his fans when he feels it necessary. He is strong and youthful, and celebrates life to the fullest. He also is making his acting debut this December in the drama, Hwarang.
7. Jungkook, Real Name: Jeon Jeongguk, Birthdate: 9/1/1997
The Golden Maknae (Youngest Member), this boy is a true jack-of-all-trades. Every member is an amazing artist, but technically, he is probably the most trained vocalist, so his vocal capabilities are incredibly polished. He also has rapped with a fair amount of skill for someone who isn't a rapper. He dances incredibly, taking to choreography very well. He even has even helped compose a few of BTS's songs. He still is a shy humble young man. He constantly thanks everyone, and in the BTS albums, you can always count on him to write an entire essay for everyone he is grateful to. He looks up to his members greatly, as he was only 15 when they came together. Story is he went with BigHit, after watching Namjoon, adding another sweet story to this family.
Now, onto the music. BTS has always and continues to offer progressive messages to the youth of Korea, and the world. They speak about social issues, criticisms of society, and even have made commentary towards Korean government. This is not only a bold move, but it a precarious one, as not very many artists go that direction. Still, as their fame built, they still offered messages of non-conformity and the pursuit of dreams to their fans, never giving into the pressure to change their ideals. They also offer a positive perspective on idols, particularly the rappers of the group, Namjoon and Yoongi. Self-consciousness and accusations of selling out came to them, and even affected them, but they proved with their skills in writing, composing, producing, and most of all, straight fire rapping, that "idol" does not equal compromising one's art. This is also why their music has sometimes been censored, either due to language, subject matter, or references, but they never give in and take away from their messages.
This is what makes Bangtan so special. They are a family of talented brothers, and their music is a reflection of their love for what they do and the guidance and encouragement they want to offer to the youth.
'WINGS' is their most unique and risky album yet, as it offers seven solo tracks, all in different styles, and all telling personal stories from or about each member. Not just that, they offer songs tackling mental health, insecurities, female empowerment to all ages, and criticisms towards the state of the world currently. It also includes the infamous Cypher series, the 4th part to the incredible popular unique rap slayage that only BTS can offer. There is the first fan song written for ARMY, but unlike a lot of fan songs, this one is inspired by the hate that they and their fans receive, and how we all stuck through and how it's time to cast aside the sadness and be happy. BTS as a group or the performances by each member, shows in 'WINGS' just how talented they are together and in their own ways.
The single for 'WINGS', 'Blood, Sweat, Tears" offers a provocative sound in the vocals, as well as the lyrics, speaking of temptations. The sound has a varied composition, with nodes to worldy influences such a reggaeton. The video compliments the song perfectly, with the imagery pushing boundaries for Korean Pop.
'Blood, Sweat, Tears' appears to be the hit of the year! Check it out on the Youtube channel, ibighit, being the most viewed Korean music video in 24 hours, hitting 6 million.
While, of course, the music quality is the most important aspect, because awards are only as valuable as the music itself, let us not forget the accolades awarded to 'WINGS' so far, because they truly were deserving of them:
1. BTS now has the most consecutive albums on the Billboard chart, with three.
2. Not only that, they charted at number 26, the highest for a Korean album.
3. The first album by a Korean artist to spend two weeks on the Billboard charts.
4. Sold 500,000 copies just in pre-orders, and just in one week.
5. Debut at number one on the Gaon charts, along with the lead single, all 15 singles charted along with them.
6. The many awards, accolades, and records broken by BTS are too far and wide too count...truly they have made an impact for the promotion of Korean music worldwide.
VOTE FOR MAMAS at mama.mwave.me/vote
Now, if you are already a part of the ARMY fandom, get out there and vote! BTS deserves these awards, and they are the underdogs in this battle. Do your part to give these boys exactly what they worked for this whole year. They earned your efforts, so take the time to vote.
If you are a new fan, please vote. It would mean so much to these seven boys, and your help would be amazing.
They are nominated for 5 awards: Best Male Group, Best Dance Performance for a Male Group, Best MV, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year, and we need you to vote for each one!
You can set up multiple accounts, and vote everyday. Do not get discouraged by the percentages. Just do your best, help spread the word via Youtube comments, Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
If you know any fan that doesn't speak English, try to help them know about the Mamas by finding a way to translate.
Lastly, use your star points and give them to BTS each day :)
NOW, voting is not the only thing that counts. Judges opinions are a part, but also your research of BTS on the following sites:
1. Naver.com
2. Daum.com
3. Ollehmusic.com
4. Melon.com
5. Nate.com
Buying the album is also very important, and you can use the following sites to order:
1. The official BTS site shop.
2. Yeaasia.com
3. Kpopmart.com
4. Kpoptown.com
5. Mwave.com
and if you are doing all of this, promote promote promote. Reach out to others for help!
Let's give this wonderful boys the awards they deserve.
If you are interested in listening to more of these talented men, check out their other many music videos and albums, and see how they have grown as artists. Also, follow them on Soundcloud, BTS, where you will find a bunch of well-done covers of music, both in English and Korean, as well as mixtapes and tracks from the rap line. While certain past songs from a couple of years back received criticism for sexism (more and likely unintentional as they later confronted the criticisms, and apologized for these songs, showing maturity from their younger years to grown men) it is a large amount of great tunes!
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