The Turning Point of BTS's Success Revealed by K-Pop Agency Directors, These 6 Things Are the Main Keys

Kapanlagi.com - BTS's popularity continues to capture many people's attention. Not only from international media, but also from several industry players in Korea who analyze how this K-Pop idol group led by RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and BTS achieve great success.

K-Pop agency directors represented by Yoon Seon Mi and Yoon Ho Joon revealed the secrets behind BTS's success on the AYO YouTube channel. Both of them are known as business directors at FirstOne Entertainment, an agency established in 2019 that handles solo artists like Kisum and a group in the Philippines called 1st.One.

Previously, they both worked at JYP Entertainment for several years and handled famous K-Pop idols such as Wonder Girls, 2PM, and Miss A. So, what is Seon Mi and Ho Joon's view on BTS's success?

1. BTS Did Not Come from the Big 3 Agencies

credit: YouTube/AYO

The story of BTS's struggle during their debut in 2013 is quite famous in Korea. This is in line with the success of the K-Pop idol, which is considered to have repeatedly made Korea proud.

According to the directors of the K-Pop agencies, BTS did not come from the big 3 agencies, such as JYP Entertainment, SM Entertainment, or YG Entertainment. Instead, BTS is a debut idol of Big Hit Entertainment, which was very small and famous at that time, before finally becoming a giant in the Korean entertainment industry and changing its name to HYBE.

2. BTS Did Not Appear on TV

credit via Big Hit Music/HYBE

According to Yoon Ho Joon, when BTS debuted, they rarely appeared on TV. "When BTS first debuted, they rarely, if ever, appeared on TV," he said.

However, at that time, according to Ho Joon, the main way to promote an album was to perform on music shows, such as M Countdown and Music Bank.

"TV stations at that time did not want unknown groups like BTS to perform (due to ratings reasons)," added Ho Joon. 

3. Getting Remaining Slots to Perform in Music Shows

credit via Mnet

Furthermore, Hoo Jon revealed, "BTS should have gone to various music shows, but they might have been rejected by TV stations for performances."

In fact, as known by many veteran ARMYs, BTS's only appearance on a music show during their debut was on M Countdown. Even then, they only got the remaining slots after a group decided to withdraw at the last minute.

4. Choosing Social Media for Promotion

credit via twitter.com/BTS_twt

The difficulty of promoting their debut album on TV stations eventually led BTS to choose social media for promotion. This step was considered as an uncertain experiment in terms of its effectiveness at that time.

"Communication, especially promotion through social media, was not commonly done at that time," Ho Joon responded to BTS's choice made due to desperate circumstances.

Only recently, social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram have been actively used as a medium for promoting K-Pop idols.

5. BTS Opens Twitter Account in 2012

credit: YouTube/AYO

The weight of the process at the beginning of their debut did not make BTS stop fighting. It is known that BTS officially opened a Twitter account in 2012, a few months before their debut.

Interestingly, this strategy was considered successful in attracting fans. "Choosing a new breakthrough, BTS tried to communicate with fans for the first time, not only in Korean but also in English on Twitter," said Seon Mi.

6. BTS Quickly Follows Trends

credit via Big Hit Music/HYBE

Seon Mi also explained that after opening social media, BTS not only actively built communication with fans but also quickly adapted and followed trends.

"If I may be honest, BTS is very quick to adapt and follow trends through social media," said Seon Mi.

She added that BTS is even able to build personal branding and music concepts that are suitable for the development of the times. "BTS is also very capable of building a persona and music that is truly in demand in the market according to the times," she concluded.

Both Yoon Ho Joon and Yoon Seon Mi agreed that with a high fighting spirit and full dedication to fans, BTS finally succeeded and became big as they are now.

What do you think, KLovers?

(kly/tmi)