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BTS 3 Song Challenge

Updated: Aug 28, 2022

Despite what you think you know, BTS has not broken up.

Non-BTS lovers: Take the 3 song challenge. Listen to at least three BTS songs from this ARMY-curated playlist and see if you are surprised by what you hear. If you don't use Spotify, scroll to the bottom for YouTube links.


Because of my job, I am on my own a lot. I rarely have conversations with anyone besides my immediate family and occasionally catch up with a friend. Social Media has allowed me a different type of outlet for my thoughts, but it doesn’t really provide a back-and-forth interaction. I’m sure everyone who is friends with me online knows about my BTS obsession. This was confirmed recently when I attended my high school reunion.


Resisting the temptation to wear my 할머니 bucket hat, I settled for just my BS&T Taehyung T-shirt, jeans, and my galaxy Skechers. “How do you feel about your band breaking up?” was the question repeatedly posed to me. If you are ARMY, you will understand the feeling this arouses—sort of a cross between frustration, sadness, and maybe a little teensy bit of anger.”


I repeatedly told the inquiring minds the hiatus announcement was a misunderstanding. I tried to tell them BTS is still together and doing projects. I only got mock sympathetic nods. My cousin Jim graduated with my class and was the biggest perpetrator. I guess it had been too long since he had teased me mercilessly about anything. He was trying to make up for it. “Oh, of course, because every band that has taken time off has gotten back together,” he said with an eye roll.


While the ARMY in me wanted to continue to try and convince them, I realized I was not in a receptive venue. On the way home, I decided I would post a little blog to share some of my thoughts about the so-called “break up.”



The “break” is only for new music projects.

They are continuing to do other projects together while working on solo music. They have at least two musical performances as BTS coming up. They currently serve as ambassadors of World EXPO 2030 in Busan, Korea. They will be having a concert to promote the event this fall. BTS will be doing the anthem for the '2022 FIFA World Cup', which will also be released in the fall. It has not been confirmed that they will be performing it yet.


They have recently resumed filming on their variety/reality web series Run BTS. (The first episode was released today.) They are also continuing their work as brand ambassadors for Samsung and Hyundai. They are about to enter their fifth year partnering with UNICEF for the Love Myself campaign working toward violence prevention against children and teens and support programs for the victims of violence. #ENDviolence


I think the problem might be the cultural differences. Beyond the misunderstanding of the original announcement as a hiatus, the K-Pop music industry acts differently than the western world. "The problem with K-pop and the whole idol system is that they don’t give you time to mature. You have to keep producing music and keep doing something," is how BTS’s leader RM put it. Some members wanted a chance to breathe, while others were content to continue with solo music. This would give the company new music while still keeping BTS as a whole happy.


I’m probably just preaching to the choir here because I’m pretty sure those that rolled their eyes at the reunion are not being swayed. My friend, Janell, would say, “Whatever helps you sleep, Jane.”


Maybe the problem is they don’t know the incredible music that this band creates. Unfortunately, many people in the U.S. have only heard BTS’s English songs which are not representative of the kind of music the band puts out in their native language. While Dynamite and Butter are ear-catching, they are undeniably syrupy pop songs.

I challenge you, non-BTS lovers, to listen to at least three songs from this playlist. These songs were chosen by members of some of the BTS Facebook groups I am in; BTS! Dope Old People!, Bangtan fics cafe, Louisville BTS Army. If I were choosing only 3 from this list I would go with Blood, Sweat and Tears, Mic Drop, and Spring Day. But the songs are listed in the order chosen by those who voiced their opinions. Serendipity was not part of the top ten but according to an ARMY friend, "if anyone can resist BTS after hearing Serendipity, then I don't want them in my life. I don't need that kind of negativity LOL."

To complete the challenge listen to 3 songs from this 3 SONG ARMY-curatedCHALLENGE PLAYLIST all the way through and give your honest thoughts. Did anything surprise you? Do you like any of the songs? Are they just another boy band? Leave a message here and/or Facebook and/or Twitter@sjb_author.


YouTube links to the ARMY-curated Playlist:




IMAGE: TWITTER/ @BTS_BIGHIT








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