Image credit: BigHit Entertainment
When the BTS members were trainees, who did they go to for advice? Who inspired them to pursue a career in music? What motivated them to become the idols we (as fans) and other artists look up to today? If we go back in time, we will find that in 2010, RM was encouraged by Sleepy (another rapper) to audition for Big Hit Entertainment. Sleepy saw great potential in RM and introduced him to Pdogg: a producer, composer, and lyricist for Big Hit Entertainment. As we can see now, not only is RM part of BTS or was the first to be chosen as a member of the band, but he is also the leader of BTS. Anyone who had this type of involvement/interaction with RM before his debut would also feel the same way as Sleepy did when he said in another interview, “I wonder if it wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for me.” Seeing RM do well and come so far made Sleepy feel a bit proud because he felt that he had discovered him.
In 2014, not long after debuting as a group, BTS had their own reality show called American Hustle Life where they spent two weeks in Los Angeles learning about hip-hop culture. During one of the episodes (BTS American Hustle Life Ep.7) when BTS were giving out food to the less fortunate, one of the homeless men offered them some eye-opening words in exchange for his food. At a time when BTS were still figuring out who they wanted to be, this man’s advice helped pave the path they wanted to walk not only as artists but as people as well. His words of wisdom had such an impact that BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook still hold dear to them till this day.
“Stay true to yourself, stay true to your heart. Be who you are, you know don’t be like some other group. Be who you are right from your soul, right from what’s in you. Why you’re an artist and what makes you attracted to art - then be that. Be true to that that attracted you and you’ll be good at whatever you do. Never lose who you are. Know who you are. Be true to your heart.”
BTS received a lot of great advice over the years and because of their many experiences, they, too, can now offer others words of advice and encouragement. Just as they were once hoobae (juniors) in the K-pop industry, inspired by sunbae (seniors) such as Seo Taiji (from Seo Taiji and Boys) and Lee Min Woo (from Shinwa), they understand what it feels like to just be starting out. Having been in the industry for a decade means that BTS has now achieved a key milestone in their career, something that is not easy to do in a highly competitive profession. That is why their role as sunbae is so important to up-and-coming artists who look up to BTS as seniors who paved the way for them.
In recently released videos, Hybe Labels have announced that they will be creating a third boy group and are looking to hold auditions. Seeing as BTS are great role models to other up-and-coming artists, they have used this opportunity to share some of their experiences, how they felt when they first auditioned for Big Hit Music, and why they chose to be part of this company. In the video, New Boy Group Audition, BTS members j-hope and Jimin expressed that the company was built on a foundation of sincerity; sincerity for music and the stage, and this is what sealed the deal for them with Big Hit Entertainment. Jimin believes that the course of BTS’ career reflects the sincerity they saw in the company when they first auditioned.
BTS has come a long way since they first took the stage for their 2013 debut. Jin is now serving in the military and j-hope will soon take the same journey as well, now that he’s well and truly a successful solo artist. SUGA is preparing for his first world solo tour, while Jimin has just released his first-ever solo album. RM has fulfilled a lifelong dream to perform live on stage at the popular underground music venue, Rolling Hall, in Hongdae Seoul. While V may seem quiet at the moment, fans know he’s working hard behind the scenes. In the meantime, fans are enjoying watching him complete his internship on “Jinny’s Kitchen” and, of course, Jung Kook has just set the world alight with the news of his Calvin Klein collaboration.
From hoobae to sunbae is an acknowledgment of BTS’ hard work, their love for their craft, and their respect and admiration for each other as band members and brothers. They’re world-class performers who’ve earned the right to focus on their solo work, and even though they might not be performing sold-out tours around the world, they are still making an impression on their fellow artists within the K-pop and music industries. The ARMY fandom continues to grow, new generations of artists continue to debut, and the seven members of BTS continue to be guiding lights for millions of fans around the world.
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Written By: Jasmine
Edited By: Wayna
Checked By: Shelley
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