'BTS MONUMENTS: BEYOND THE STAR' Already Aired, Pampering ARMY with a 10-Year Career Journey

Kapanlagi.com - Healing the longing of ARMY (BTS fans) who have just been left by their members to fulfill their military service in South Korea, Disney+ Hot Star launched BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star. This documentary, which marks the 10-year career of the world's biggest boy group, was launched on December 20, 2023, highlighting the struggles, journeys, stories, and dreams of the 7 talented idol men loved by millions of fans worldwide.

Spending almost all their time for nearly 8 years focusing on their careers, singing, dancing, performing on stage, and interacting with fans, the Covid-19 pandemic has truly dealt a heavy blow to BTS. This is highlighted in the first episode titled 'The Beginning', where BTS members have to swallow the bitter pill that the world tour concert they had prepared and should have been held in April 2020 had to be canceled and they didn't know when they could resume.

In this resting period, the members were forced to do things they may never have had time to do before while still creating works, training physically, and preparing themselves to return to the stage when the pandemic ends. In this moment, they also reflect back on their success, which certainly did not come instantly since their debut in 2013.

1. Episode 1: The Beginning

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This episode is a flashback to the difficult times when BTS was still a trainee, until their debut in 2013, together with Big Hit Entertainment, which at that time was a small company with no influence. The members recall their struggles, which almost made them give up, but they ultimately persevered because of their belief in each other and, of course, their love for their fans, ARMY.

The difficult times at the beginning of their debut are also recounted by RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, V, Jimin, and Jungkook, which, when we look at their current success, may be unimaginable or even unbelievable that they also experienced it. And of course, what's interesting is that there are various footages of their training, life in the dormitory, and behind the scenes that have never been released before.

The members also talk about their struggle to maintain their existence after their debut. The song Danger, which was expected to continue their success, turned out to be a flop in the market. Along with the financial difficulties faced by their agency, this moment became the most difficult moment they faced after their debut.

They felt that they were almost disbanding after this failure, but in the end, they were still able to continue their fight until the release of their next album, The Most Beautiful Moment In Life Part 1, where they were able to achieve first place with the song I Need You, followed by the songs Run and Fire. This album was special for them because it marked the end of the 'school' era in their previous album and entered the 'youth' era.

2. Episode 2: Adolescence

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Like the title suggests, this episode highlights the transitional period of BTS members who started their careers while still in middle school, and now becoming idols in their teenage years. It begins with their first ever stadium-scale concert at the Olympic Gymnastic Arena, a dream location for idols usually reserved for those who have already achieved great success, and the anxiety of whether anyone will come to watch their performance. The first stadium-scale concert was a success, attended by 25,000 spectators.

In this episode, they also reminisce about the difficult times related to controversies and criticisms surrounding the idol profession, which was looked down upon by many. They express these experiences in the song they released, '2! 3!', which encourages fans to think positively, move forward, and forget the dark times filled with hatred. This is where they start pouring their honest feelings and emotions into their works, gaining sympathy from fans, especially because not many musicians at that time were brave enough to address such sensitive topics.

The moment they received the most prestigious award, Artist of The Year, at the 2016 MAMA Awards is also told in this episode. The BTS members share their happiness upon receiving this major award, feeling that it justified all their struggles since their debut in 2013. BTS thought this was the peak of their career after receiving the highest award in Korea, but in reality, their career continued to the international level through the Billboard Awards. This is where BTS began to demonstrate their influence in the global music industry, winning the Top Social Artist trophy and surpassing Justin Bieber, who had held this title for the previous 6 years.

This title further confirms the popularity of BTS in the digital world, especially on rapidly growing social media platforms during that year. Not only known in Korea, but the western industry also begins to be aware of the popularity of BTS in their own country, especially in America and Europe. Collaborating with Steve Aoki in the song Mic Drop and their performance at the American Music Awards as their first performance on US TV further confirms this position.

After all the success and excitement, the time has come for them to continue their career, especially through the renewal of their contract which expires after 5 years. This is where they start to think about whether to quit or continue their career, with the burden of popularity and the physical & mental pressure of being an idol and touring the world which makes them tired & experience burnout.

3. There Are Still 6 Other Episodes

YouTube, Trailer BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star

Not stopping here, the documentary BTS Monument: Beyond The Star will present 8 episodes. After episodes 1 & 2 above, there are still Pursuit of Happiness, Disconnected, Welcome!, Begin and Again, Still Purple and the last one Promise for Tomorrow.

Through the stories told in these episodes, both fans and new viewers who have just become acquainted with BTS will be able to understand their career journey more deeply, seeing their struggle from the beginning to their extraordinary success in their 10th year.

This documentary will also answer questions from various parties, how a small boy group from Korea, who started together with a small agency and financial difficulties, could dominate the world music industry, even breaking the records of existing music legends. Everything is answered and narrated directly by the seven members of BTS, along with Bang Si Hyuk who is the producer/creator and also a 'father' figure to them.

And of course, for the loyal ARMY who have been following their journey, they will still be spoiled with various exclusive footage that has never been shown before. Don't miss this amazing story on Disney+ Hotstar, which will be aired starting Wednesday, December 20, 2023. Let's watch together while waiting for them to finish their military service. Borahae!

(kpl/mae)