Paving the way for a new golden age for K-POP,... BTS is knocking down records by the day.<br />But how did this seven-member group go from a local success story to a global sensation... seemingly overnight?<br />Other K-POP artists have enjoyed success outside of Korea,... but our Hong Yoo tells us how it could be different this time.<br /> <br /> South Korean boy band BTS set a new K-pop record this week, reaching the top of the Billboard 200.<br />Their new album "Love Yourself: Tear" became the first Korean album to rank first on that U.S. chart.<br /><br /> Still, they're not the first K-Pop artists to make the Billboard.<br />That title belongs to the Wonder Girls, who hit the charts in 2009.<br />And in 2012, Psy of "Gangnam Style" fame reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.<br /><br /> But the only one to make it to the top is BTS.<br />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.<br />This was the first time a South Korean artist has won a Billboard music award twice.<br />There are reasons why it was BTS that wrote a new chapter in K-Pop history.<br /><br />"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."<br /><br />This was the first time in 12 years an album not in English reached this level.<br />That BTS sings mostly in Korean... clearly isn't a problem for their fans.<br /><br />"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."<br /><br />"Their song always includes social issues that many people can relate so much to the song that they sing in their album."<br /><br /> BTS found a way to reach a global audience with their songs and opened a whole new avenue for K-pop.<br />With so much momentum, eyes are on what they'll contribute next to the world of K-pop and beyond.<br />Hong Yoo, Arirang News. <br />
