The BTS BT21 is a universe that has won over fans all around the world with its charismatic and full-of-personality characters. They’re cute, sweet, fun, and totally adorable. They wear colorful clothes, have a strong presence, and of course, they can sing and dance. No, we’re not talking about the BTS members!
BT21 is the magical character universe created by BTS in partnership with LINE Friends. Launched in 2017, the project brought to life mascots that reflect each BTS member’s personality, dreams, and unique traits.
In this article, you’ll discover the origin of the BT21 characters, the meaning behind each one, and their special connection with their creators.
What does BT21 mean?
Easy! To understand what BT21 is, just break down the name:
- BT stands for BTS.
- 21 refers to the 21st century, symbolizing the desire for BTS and BT21 to live in the present and also to last, leaving their mark on time.
BT21 isn’t just a collection of cute characters. From the start, the goal was to create mascots that weren’t just “adorable,” but that had stories, dreams, and distinct personalities—just like their creators.
The idea came to life during a BTS visit to the LINE Friends studios. Each BTS member took part in the creative process, from the initial concept to the final design, making sure the characters were a true reflection of themselves.
From the very first sketches and conceptual ideas to defining each character’s personality and backstory, the BTS members brought their artistic visions and personal traits into the project. This direct involvement is what gives BT21 its authenticity.
Certain themes always show up in the animations: friendship, love, overcoming challenges, acceptance, diversity, and the constant pursuit of dreams. In other words, BT21 reflects the thoughts and emotions of the BTS members themselves.
The BTS BT21 project quickly became a symbol of the emotional connection between the group and their fans—far more than just a set of animated characters.
The Creation of the BTS BT21 Characters
Creating the characters was a fun and collaborative journey. During several brainstorming sessions, the members imagined and drew their mascots, carefully thinking about which traits they wanted to express.
Each character includes elements from BTS’s universe: from personal passions and personality traits to aspirations. The emotional bond between the members and their mascots is so strong that ARMY also sees BT21 as an extension of the group itself. This deep creative and emotional involvement is one of the reasons why BTS BT21 is so meaningful to fans around the world.
Check out BTS creating BT21 below:
Which character represents each BTS member?
Each member has their own special “BTS BT21 buddy” to call their own:
| Member | BT21 Name | Description |
| V | Tata | Heart-headed alien |
| Jin | RJ | Alpaca |
| Jimin | Chimmy | Puppy |
| Jungkook | Cooky | Rabbit |
| SUGA | Shooky | Cookie |
| j-hope | Mang | Squirrel with a horse mask |
| RM | Koya | Koala |
| Army | Van | Space Robot |
What do the BTS characters mean?
Of course, BT21 appears in tons of merch—plushies, keychains, notebooks (and pretty much anything you can imagine)—but BT21 is more than just a commercial project. It’s also a deeply personal and artistic expression from the BTS members.
So, each BTS BT21 character is an extension of the BTS members themselves.
Who are the BTS BT21 characters?
Now that we know who’s who, let’s dive into the details of each character.
Who’s the BTS koala?
That’s Koya, RM’s character—a blue koala who’s smart and thoughtful, and who loves sleeping and deep thinking. He enjoys learning new things, especially through reading, just like our leader Namjoon.
As the group’s leader and a deep thinker, RM created Koya as an intellectual koala who loves to reflect on the world and find moments of peace—just like himself.
Representing RM’s intelligence and introspective nature, Koya has a brilliant mind. His removable ears, which fall off in moments of surprise, and his purple nose are iconic and bring plenty of laughs.
In BTS BT21, Koya symbolizes the group’s more rational, sensitive, and introspective side—directly inspired by RM.
Meet Koya:
Which BT21 character represents Jin?
RJ represents Jin. He’s a gentle, elegant, adorable alpaca, polite and always caring about others’ well-being. Oh, and he loves to eat! Remember “Eat Jin”? Exactly… 😊
Known for his warmth and kindness, Jin wanted to create a sweet and comforting character. RJ reflects his protective nature.
RJ is the personification of Jin’s gentleness and love for food. Often seen eating or cooking, RJ gives off a warm and cozy vibe—just like all those times we’ve seen Jin taking care of the other members.
Among the BTS BT21 characters, RJ stands out as the most affectionate and nurturing one, especially through Jin’s personality.
Meet RJ:
Which character is SUGA in BT21?
SUGA is SHOOKY, a mischievous magic cookie who hates milk and loves to prank his friends. He’s a multi-talented artist—just like a certain rapper we know well…
With his unique sense of humor, SUGA created Shooky to be fun and a little rebellious—traits he also shares. Shooky may be small in size but he’s huge in mischief. Full of energy and with a quirky sense of humor, he’s a perfect match for SUGA. His playful rivalry with Cooky is a source of endless laughs.
In the BTS BT21 universe, SHOOKY represents SUGA’s irreverent and creative side, with a generous dose of mischief.
Meet Shooky:
Who’s j-hope’s mascot?
j-hope’s character is Mang, a skilled dancer who always wears a mask to hide their true identity. Mang is a loyal friend who loves taking care of others—a ray of sunshine in the lives of those they love, just like our real-life Hobi.
As BTS’s lead dancer, j-hope created Mang to dance with joy and expressiveness. The mask also reflects j-hope’s humility.
A dance master wrapped in mystery, Mang wears a horse mask with a heart-shaped nose, hiding their true identity (later revealed to be a squirrel). Mang’s contagious passion for dancing and vibrant energy are a direct reflection of j-hope’s talent and sunny spirit.
Mang is one of the most iconic BTS BT21 characters, radiating the charisma and positivity that make j-hope such a bright light for the group and fans.
Meet Mang:
Which BT21 character represents Jimin?
That would be Chimmy, a puppy always dressed in a yellow hoodie, who puts his heart into everything he does. And yes—he’s soooo cute… Just like a certain BTS member, of course.
Chimmy represents Jimin’s dedication and enthusiasm, even when facing challenges. His yellow outfit and positive energy mirror Jimin’s warm personality.
Chimmy is passionate and extremely devoted. He symbolizes Jimin’s effort and perseverance, always working hard at what he believes in, with infectious optimism and a pure heart.
In BTS BT21, Chimmy is the perfect reflection of Jimin’s sweet determination, winning over fans with his relentless dedication and pure charm.
Meet Chimmy:
Who’s the alien in BTS BT21?
V is Tata, a heart-headed alien from Planet BT who travels the universe determined to spread love. He’s loving and caring, but sometimes a bit quirky. Sound familiar? Like “Tata mic face”—that iconic, “weird” expression V often makes? 😊
Taehyung has always been described as free-spirited, curious, and full of love—just like Tata, who explores the universe in search of genuine emotions.
Tata’s body can stretch and transform in surprising ways. Representing V’s limitless creativity and unique personality, Tata is a natural explorer, always chasing new adventures (and sometimes, a little chaos).
In the BTS BT21 universe, Tata perfectly captures the spontaneous and loving essence that fans recognize in V.
Meet Tata:
Which BT21 character is Jungkook?
Jungkook is Cooky, a tough pink bunny who loves working out and dreams of becoming strong. Oh, and he’s good at everything he sets his mind to—just like our golden maknae.
Strong and competitive, Jungkook imagined Cooky as a bold, determined rabbit passionate about training and self-improvement—just like himself.
Cooky reflects the duality in Jungkook: the “Golden Maknae” who balances cuteness with remarkable strength and determination. Cooky is fiercely loyal to his friends and never hesitates to stand up for them.
Among the BTS BT21 characters, Cooky stands out for his willpower and bold personality, directly inspired by Jungkook.
Meet Cooky:
Is there a BT21 character for ARMY?
Of course there is! Meet Van, a space robot who protects the BT21 characters and represents both ARMY (the fans) and BTS. Yes, that’s us! BTS created a “wild card” character that interacts with all the others who represent each member.
Van is the great guardian of BTS BT21 (relatable, right?). His presence symbolizes the symbiotic relationship between the group and its fans, acting as the link that unites and protects the entire BT21 universe.
Within the BTS BT21 storyline, Van serves as the essential bridge between the characters and ARMY, reinforcing the message of unity and companionship that BTS always shares.
Meet Van:
BTS BT21: A Living Narrative Universe
The power of BT21 goes far beyond its charming visuals: the project has come to life through animated series, comics, games, and interactive experiences, building a true “shared universe.” The characters’ stories are filled with humor, emotion, and meaning.
You can dive deeper into BT21, for example, through the animated series BT21 UNIVERSE. In the episodes already released on the official BT21 channel, we follow Tata’s arrival on Earth with robot Van, and the gathering of all the characters to form a group with the mission to spread good energy. Episodes like The Prince’s Arrival and The Final Members show moments of friendship trials and the formation of their bonds.
There are also comics and webtoons posted on the official Instagram. BT21 comics show their busy daily lives—like in Cooky and the Gym Struggles, where Cooky goes overboard trying to get stronger, or Shooky and the Great Cookie Caper, where Shooky crafts wild plans to avoid milk and drags everyone into chaos. In Mang’s Secret, we see Mang’s emotional side, revealing that behind the mask lies vulnerability and courage. You can check out a lot of this content on the official BT21 page.
Not all BT21 content has been translated into Portuguese, but since the dialogues are simple, it’s a great opportunity to practice your English (or Korean!).
All of this makes BTS BT21 more than just a set of characters: it’s an immersive narrative experience that connects fans to the group’s creative universe.
BTS BT21 in Pop Culture: Fun That Moves You and Makes You Think
BT21 has gone far beyond its beginnings as a promotional project—it has become a true pop culture phenomenon, beloved by kids, teens, and adults around the world. The core messages in many BT21 stories echo what BTS expresses in their music.
Episodes featuring Chimmy explore insecurity and the search for acceptance. Koya helps RJ overcome social anxiety, and Tata leads the fight against symbolic villains that represent negativity. And honestly—try not to cry during the episode where Mang finally feels safe enough to take off their mask and reveal their face.
Watch the episode where Mang removes the mask:
The success of BT21 shows how a commercial project can transform into a deeply emotional narrative universe. At its heart, BT21 carries the charisma, empathy, and values of BTS. No wonder these characters have won over millions of fans and continue to gain new stories—connecting people to BTS’s message in a playful and universal way.
The BT21 universe keeps growing, and every new story reinforces the power of creativity, friendship, and emotional connection that transcends language and culture. The characters appear in a wide variety of licensed products—plushies, clothing, stationery, phone accessories, and more. Not to mention games like BT21 UNIVERSE.
But the real highlight? The animations—a total cuteness overload that you can watch for free on the official YouTube channel.
Recently, BT21 launched its new animated series, The Journey. Check out the teaser:
New episodes of The Journey are already in production and being released. BTS BT21 continues to expand its universe, touching fans with stories that reflect the group’s values in an accessible and heartwarming format.
Where Can You Buy BTS BT21 Characters?
If you’ve already fallen for the BTS BT21 characters (and how could you not?), the good news is: you can bring all that cuteness home! You’ll find official products through the international LINE FRIENDS stores, as well as on popular e-commerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, and others that offer a wide range of BT21 merchandise from around the world.
BTS BT21: Adorable Characters That Carry Real Emotion
BT21 is more than just a character project—it’s an extension of BTS, expressing their emotions, stories, and dreams in a way that’s easy for everyone to connect with.
The animations are perfect for those days when you want something fun, light, and deeply BTS, with a colorful twist. So dive in and enjoy every moment with Koya, RJ, Shooky, Mang, Chimmy, Tata, Cooky, and Van!
Now tell us in the comments: who’s your favorite BTS BT21 character?
