2021 was the year BTS dominated the charts and, at the end, went back to singing for a real audience. This is BTS 2021 month by month: the Grammys, “Film out”, “Butter” with ten weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Permission to Dance”, the UN speech as special envoys, “My Universe” with Coldplay, the Artist of the Year award at the AMAs and the Permission to Dance On Stage concerts in Los Angeles.
Each month has the main highlights and, under “Read all”, every detail, video and link. Whenever possible, the links go to the official videos (BANGTANTV, HYBE LABELS or the original channels).
BTS timeline
2021
The year of Butter, Permission to Dance and the return to the stage
In this article
The 2021 timeline, month by month
January 2021
- 01/09 and 01/10 Album Daesang at the Golden Disc Awards
- 01/13 Awards at the Gaon Chart Music Awards
- 01/31 Daesang at the Seoul Music Awards
- Run BTS! with “777 Lucky Seven”
Read all of January
AWARDS
Daesang at the Golden Disc Awards
On the 9th and 10th, at the 35th Golden Disc Awards, held without an audience, BTS won the album Daesang, for Map of the Soul: 7, and a digital Bonsang, for “Dynamite”. On stage, they performed “Black Swan”, “ON”, “Life Goes On” and “Dynamite”.
Gaon and Genie Music Awards
On the 13th, the 10th Gaon Chart Music Awards honored BTS for Map of the Soul: 7, BE, “ON”, “Dynamite” and “Life Goes On”, and SUGA for “eight”, with IU. On the 14th, Album and Dance of the Year at the Genie Music Awards.
Daesang at the Seoul Music Awards
On the 31st, at the 30th Seoul Music Awards, also held without an audience, BTS won six awards, including the Daesang, Best Album (Map of the Soul: 7) and Best Song (“Dynamite”).
MUSIC AND STAGES
“Dynamite” and “Life Goes On” keep winning
On the 8th, “Dynamite” reached its 30th music show win, on Music Bank. “Life Goes On” added three more on Music Core, on the 2nd, 9th and 16th.
EVENTS AND FANS
BE (Essential Edition) is announced
On the 23rd came the announcement of BE (Essential Edition), the new version of the album, with pre-orders starting on the 25th.
TV AND INTERVIEWS
Delicious Rendezvous
On the 28th, BTS appeared on SBS’s Delicious Rendezvous, with chef Baek Jong-won. The collaboration also became Run BTS!’s “K-HAM Special”, in episode 125.
RUN BTS! AND EPISODE
Run BTS! – Episodes 123 to 126
“Reverse Avatar Cook 2” (123), “Director and Screenwriter” (124), the “K-HAM Special” (125) and the start of “777 Lucky Seven” (126).
LIVES AND LOGS
RM’s live
On the 19th, RM went live with “I’m a little late, right?”.
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: JK the acting pro
On the 3rd, Jungkook showing he has a knack for acting, in a video filmed in January 2020.
BANGTAN BOMB: You have a meow-sitor!
A four-legged visitor behind the scenes, on the 20th.
BANGTAN BOMB: SUGA’s sword dance
On the 31st, the rehearsal of the “Daechwita” sword dance.
February 2021 – BE (Essential Edition)
- 02/18 j-hope’s birthday
- 02/19 BE (Essential Edition)
- 02/23 MTV Unplugged Presents: BTS
- BE-hind Story: the story of BE told by the seven
Read all of February
MUSIC AND STAGES
BE (Essential Edition)
On the 19th came BE (Essential Edition), the new version of the album BE.
31st win for “Dynamite”
On the 26th, six months after its release, “Dynamite” won once again on Music Bank.
LIVES AND LOGS
“BE:TS” live
That same day, the seven went live with “BE:TS” to celebrate with ARMY.
Jungkook’s live
On the 27th, Jungkook made a quick appearance in a live, before working out.
TV AND INTERVIEWS
MTV Unplugged
On the 23rd, MTV Unplugged Presents: BTS aired, with “Telepathy”, “Blue & Grey”, “Life Goes On”, “Dynamite” and a cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You”.
BE-hind Story
On the 27th came the “BE-hind Story” interview. On the 28th came the videos with the story behind BE told by each of the seven.
EVENTS AND FANS
Partnership with Universal Music
On the 18th, Big Hit and Universal Music Group announced a partnership, which included the creation of a new global group.
2021 Winter Package
On the 26th came the 2021 BTS WINTER PACKAGE, which had been previewed at the end of January.
AWARDS
Korean Music Awards
On the 28th, BTS won Best Pop Song and Song of the Year at the 18th Korean Music Awards.
SPECIAL DATES
j-hope’s birthday
On the 18th, j-hope celebrated his birthday and went live to celebrate with ARMY.
RUN BTS! AND EPISODE
Run BTS! – Episodes 127 to 130
The end of “777 Lucky Seven” (127), “Hello 2021” (128) and the “Long-Term Tennis Project” (129 and 130).
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: V’s surprise party
On the 7th, V’s surprise birthday party.
BANGTAN BOMB: decorating the photocards
On the 21st, the seven decorating their own photocards.
March 2021 – Grammys
- 03/01 j-hope’s “Blue Side”
- 03/04 IFPI’s artist of the year
- 03/14 BTS performs at the Grammys
- HYBE is born
Read all of March
MUSIC AND STAGES
j-hope’s “Blue Side”
On the 1st, j-hope released the full version of “Blue Side”, the track that closes Hope World, for free on SoundCloud, to celebrate the mixtape’s third anniversary.
AWARDS
IFPI’s artist of the year
On the 4th, the IFPI named BTS its Global Recording Artist of 2020. They were the first Asian artist and the first artist who doesn’t sing in English to top that list.
On the Grammy stage
On the 14th, BTS performed “Dynamite” at the 63rd Grammy Awards, where they were nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. They were the first Korean nominated artist to perform at the ceremony. The award went to “Rain on Me”, by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.
Kids’ Choice Awards
On the 13th, three awards at the Kids’ Choice Awards: Favorite Music Group, Favorite Song (“Dynamite”) and Favorite Global Music Star.
Japan Gold Disc Award
In March, eight awards at the Japan Gold Disc Award, including Best Artist.
LIVES AND LOGS
“It’s over!!!!” live
After the Grammys, the seven went live to tell ARMY all about it.
Jin, RM and Jimin making salad
On the 13th, Jin, RM and Jimin made a salad together in a live.
TV AND INTERVIEWS
You Quiz on the Block
On the 24th, episode 99 of You Quiz on the Block aired, with the seven.
Let’s BTS
On the 29th, KBS aired Let’s BTS, a special 100-minute talk show with the group.
EVENTS AND FANS
HYBE is born
On the 19th, Big Hit Entertainment presented its new brand, HYBE. The new name took effect on the 31st.
SPECIAL DATES
SUGA’s birthday
On the 9th, SUGA celebrated his birthday and went live to celebrate with ARMY.
RUN BTS! AND EPISODE
Run BTS! – Episodes 131 to 135
The “77-Minute Debate” (131 and 132) and the “Workshop Special” (133 to 135).
EPISODE: BTS at the 2020 VMAs
On the 20th, behind the scenes of the August 2020 VMAs.
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: Jimin vs V at pool
On the 26th, Jimin and V playing a game of pool.
April 2021 – Film out
- 04/02 “Film out”
- 04/17 Bang Bang Con 21
- 04/23 Louis Vuitton ambassadors
- “Butter” is announced
Read all of April
MUSIC AND STAGES
“Film out”
On the 2nd came “Film out”, the theme of the Japanese movie Signal, composed by Jungkook with Iyori Shimizu, of back number. It was the first single from the compilation BTS, THE BEST. On the 29th, the MV reached 100 million views, BTS’s fastest Japanese MV to get there.
“Butter” is announced
On the 27th (the 26th in the US), the “Butter” logo trailer came out. On the 29th came the promotion schedule.
CONCERTS
Bang Bang Con 21
On the 17th, BTS streamed three past concerts for free on BANGTANTV: BTS Begins (2015), the 5th Muster Magic Shop, in Busan, and the Speak Yourself tour concert in São Paulo.
EVENTS AND FANS
Louis Vuitton ambassadors
On the 23rd, Louis Vuitton announced the seven as the brand’s new ambassadors.
AWARDS
1 billion for “Dynamite”
On the 12th, the “Dynamite” MV passed 1 billion views on YouTube.
Korea PD Awards
In April, BTS received the artist (singer) award at the 33rd Korea PD Awards.
TV AND INTERVIEWS
Fairy tale interviews
From the 5th to the 11th came the “Our Story Chapter 2” videos, in which each member talked about his fairy tales.
LIVES AND LOGS
Tea time
On the 5th, SUGA, j-hope and V went live to have tea with ARMY.
RUN BTS! AND EPISODE
Run BTS! – Episodes 136 to 139
The “Variety Quiz Show” (136 and 137) and the “Table Tennis Class” (138 and 139). On the 21st came the announcement of a special with The Game Caterers, PD Na Young-seok’s show.
EPISODE: LOVE MYSELF special announcement
At the end of the month, behind the scenes of the LOVE MYSELF campaign’s special announcement.
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: Choreographers BTS
On the 10th, the boys making up moves while filming the “Dynamite” MV.
BANGTAN BOMB: help V choose his sunglasses
On the 29th, V asking for help choosing his sunglasses.
May 2021 – Butter
- 05/21 “Butter”
- 108.2 million views in 24 hours
- 05/23 “Butter” at the Billboard Music Awards and four awards
- Run BTS! with The Game Caterers
Read all of May
MUSIC AND STAGES
“Butter”
On the 21st came “Butter”, BTS’s second song entirely in English. The MV got 108.2 million views in 24 hours and entered the Guinness book, with over 3.9 million people watching the premiere at the same time.
Spotify record
On its first day, “Butter” had 11.04 million streams on global Spotify, the biggest debut on the platform up to then.
“Butter (Hotter Remix)” MV
On the 28th came the “Hotter” remix, with a new MV.
The first wins for “Butter”
On the 29th, “Butter” won for the first time, on Music Core. On the 30th came the second, on Inkigayo, and the song’s special performance came out.
“Butter” dance practice
The full “Butter” choreography.
LIVES AND LOGS
“Butter” live
On release day, the seven watched the MV, answered ARMY and played Jenga in a live.
AWARDS
Billboard Music Awards
On the 23rd, BTS won four awards at the BBMAs: Top Duo/Group, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Social Artist and Top Selling Song, for “Dynamite”. That same night, they gave the first performance of “Butter”, filmed in Seoul.
Webby and iHeartRadio
On the 18th, BTS took home three Webby Awards, one of them for the online concert Map of the Soul ON:E. At the end of the month, three more at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, including Best Music Video (“Dynamite”) and Best Fan Army.
TV AND INTERVIEWS
On the American shows
In release week, BTS went on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and, at the end of the month, on Good Morning America.
EVENTS AND FANS
BTS Meal
On the 26th, the BTS Meal, the partnership with McDonald’s, arrived in several countries.
MUSTER SOWOOZOO is announced
On the 22nd came the announcement of the 2021 MUSTER SOWOOZOO, for the 8th anniversary.
RUN BTS! AND EPISODE
Run BTS! x The Game Caterers
Episodes 140 and 141 were the special “Fifteen Nights on a Business Trip”, with PD Na Young-seok’s team, which also came out in parts on YouTube.
EPISODE: “Butter” MV shoot
Behind the scenes of the MV, right after the release.
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: Director Jimin
On the 4th, Jimin in the role of director.
June 2021 – FESTA, SOWOOZOO and BTS, THE BEST
- “Butter” debuts at No. 1 on the Hot 100
- 06/07 RM’s “Bicycle”
- 06/13 and 06/14 MUSTER SOWOOZOO
- 06/16 BTS, THE BEST
Read all of June
MUSIC AND STAGES
“Butter” at No. 1 on the Hot 100
On the 1st came the news: “Butter” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with 242,800 downloads and 32.2 million streams in the US in its first week. The song spent the whole month at the top.
“Sweeter” and “Cooler” remixes
On the 4th came the “Sweeter” and “Cooler” remixes of “Butter”, with an MV for the “Cooler” version.
RM’s “Bicycle”
On the 7th, RM released “Bicycle” on SoundCloud and YouTube, as a FESTA gift.
BTS, THE BEST
On the 16th came BTS, THE BEST, the Japanese compilation with 25 tracks, including “Film out”. It was BTS’s first album to pass 1 million copies in Japan.
12 wins for “Butter”
By the 26th, “Butter” had 12 music show wins.
EVENTS AND FANS
BTS FESTA 2021
From the 1st to the 13th, the 8th anniversary schedule had family photos, the 2021 profile, the BTS Room Live and “Mission! BTS 4 Cuts”.
CONCERTS
2021 MUSTER SOWOOZOO
On the 13th and 14th, BTS celebrated their 8th anniversary with MUSTER SOWOOZOO, streamed from Jamsil Olympic Stadium, in Seoul. It had over 1.33 million paying viewers in 195 countries.
SPECIAL DATES
8th anniversary
On the 13th, BTS turned 8, and FESTA ended with the “ARMY Corner Store”. That same day, “Butter” won for the 8th time on the music shows.
TV AND INTERVIEWS
Japanese TV shows
BTS performed “Film out” on CDTV Live! Live! (the 15th), appeared on Music Blood (the 18th) and did an online showcase on the 26th.
RUN BTS! AND EPISODE
Run BTS! – Episodes 142 to 144
The “Perfect Combination” (142), “Run BTS Books” (143) and “BTS Gayo” (144).
EPISODE: BTS at the 2020 MMA
On the 26th, behind the scenes of the 2020 Melon Music Awards.
LIVES AND LOGS
“It’s Butter 5!!!” live
On the 29th, the seven paused a photo shoot to celebrate live the fifth week of “Butter” at the top.
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: guitar show at the rink
On the 19th, a live guitar show at the roller rink.
July 2021 – Permission to Dance
- 07/09 “Permission to Dance” and the “Butter” CD
- “Permission to Dance” debuts at No. 1 on the Hot 100
- 07/13 On The Tonight Show
- 07/21 Special presidential envoys
Read all of July
MUSIC AND STAGES
“Permission to Dance”
On the 9th came “Permission to Dance”, written by Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Steve Mac and Jenna Andrews. The MV choreography uses gestures from International Sign.
The “Butter” CD single
That same day came the “Butter” CD single, with “Permission to Dance” and the instrumental versions of both songs.
From one No. 1 to another
On the 19th came the news: “Permission to Dance” debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and knocked “Butter” off the top, after seven straight weeks. The following week, “Butter” returned to No. 1.
First win for “Permission to Dance”
On the 17th, “Permission to Dance” won on Music Core, the first of the song’s eight wins.
“Permission to Dance” dance practice
On the 13th, the full choreography.
CONCERTS
A Butterful Getaway with BTS
On the 9th, the comeback special on NAVER NOW, with “Spring Day”, “Butter” and “Permission to Dance”.
TV AND INTERVIEWS
On The Tonight Show
On the 13th, BTS performed “Permission to Dance” in a shopping mall, on The Tonight Show, with Jimmy Fallon. The next day, they performed “Butter”.
Radio 1 Live Lounge
On the 27th, BTS made their debut on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge, with “Permission to Dance”, “Dynamite” and a cover of “I’ll Be Missing You”.
Interview with SBS
In an interview with SBS, the seven talked about what the No. 1 spots of “Butter” and “Permission to Dance” on Billboard meant to them.
EVENTS AND FANS
Special presidential envoys
On the 21st, President Moon Jae-in appointed BTS Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture.
“Permission to Dance” challenge
On the 23rd, the “Permission to Dance” challenge started on YouTube Shorts, running until August 14.
LIVES AND LOGS
July lives
On the 13th, RM went live by surprise. That month, SUGA, j-hope, V and Jungkook also went live.
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: “Permission to Dance” MV reaction
On the 15th, the seven watching the MV.
August 2021
- “Butter” reaches nine weeks at the top
- 08/11 SUGA’s “Over the Horizon”
- 08/19 The Map of the Soul tour is canceled
- 08/27 “Butter” with Megan Thee Stallion
Read all of August
MUSIC AND STAGES
Ninth week of “Butter”
On the 2nd, “Butter” completed nine weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and became the song with the most weeks at the top in 2021 up to then.
SUGA’s “Over the Horizon”
On the 11th, at Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung presented the new version of “Over the Horizon”, the brand’s phone ringtone, made by SUGA.
“Butter” with Megan Thee Stallion
On the 27th came the “Butter” remix with Megan Thee Stallion.
Triple crown for “Permission to Dance”
On the 15th, “Permission to Dance” won for the third time on Inkigayo and took the triple crown.
TOUR
The Map of the Soul tour is canceled
On the 19th (the 20th in Korea), Big Hit Music announced on Weverse that the Map of the Soul tour, postponed since 2020, had been canceled.
EVENTS AND FANS
A wonderful summer day with ARMY
On the 9th, BTS held a live video meet-up with fan club members.
TV AND INTERVIEWS
Weverse Magazine interviews
Between the end of July and August 1, Weverse Magazine published an interview with each of the seven.
WIRED and Vanity Fair
On the 4th, BTS answered the internet’s most searched questions for WIRED. Later, they played a quiz for Vanity Fair.
RUN BTS! AND EPISODE
Memories of 2020
On the 3rd came the Memories of 2020 DVD, with behind the scenes of the year, like the making of MAMA.
Run BTS! – Episodes 145 to 149
“BTS Village in the Joseon Dynasty” (145 to 147) and “Interior Design” (148 and 149).
LIVES AND LOGS
August lives
Jin (the 9th), Jimin (the 10th and 30th) and Jin with RM (the 19th) went live.
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: “Dynamite” at the skating rink
On the 13th, two Bombs filmed at the skating rink.
BANGTAN BOMB: visits to HYBE INSIGHT
On the 25th, j-hope visited the HYBE INSIGHT museum. On the 30th, it was SUGA and Jimin’s turn.
September 2021 – The UN and My Universe
- “Butter” returns to the top for a 10th week
- 09/14 Meeting with the president
- 09/20 BTS at the UN
- 09/24 “My Universe”, with Coldplay
Read all of September
EVENTS AND FANS
At the UN General Assembly
On the 20th, in New York, the seven spoke at the SDG Moment of the 76th UN General Assembly, as special envoys. Then they showed a “Permission to Dance” video filmed in the General Assembly Hall and on the grounds of UN headquarters.
At the Blue House
On the 14th, BTS received their special envoy certificate from President Moon Jae-in, at the Blue House.
Guinness Hall of Fame
On the 2nd, BTS entered the Guinness World Records 2022 Hall of Fame, with 23 records.
MUSIC AND STAGES
“My Universe”
On the 13th, Coldplay and BTS announced “My Universe”, which came out on the 24th. The MV arrived on the 30th.
10th week of “Butter”
On the 7th, “Butter” returned to No. 1 on the Hot 100, for its 10th week, and finished at No. 1 on Billboard’s songs of the summer chart.
RUN BTS! AND EPISODE
Inside “My Universe”
On the 26th, the documentary about the collaboration with Coldplay.
Run BTS! – Episodes 150 to 153
“War of Money: Staycation” (150 and 151) and “Songs of the Past” (152 and 153).
AWARDS
MTV VMAs
On the 12th, Best K-Pop and Group of the Year at the MTV VMAs.
Korean Broadcasting Awards
On the 10th, two awards at the 48th Korean Broadcasting Awards.
CONCERTS
Global Citizen Live
On the 25th (the 26th in Korea), BTS performed “Permission to Dance” and “Butter” from Seoul at Global Citizen Live.
Permission to Dance On Stage is announced
On the 15th came the announcement of the online concert Permission to Dance On Stage, for October 24. On the 28th, the Los Angeles concerts were announced.
SPECIAL DATES
Jungkook’s and RM’s birthdays
On the 1st, Jungkook celebrated his birthday and went live. On the 12th, it was RM’s turn, and he did the live “A little late, happy birthday” the next day.
LIVES AND LOGS
Chuseok live
On the 21st, already in the US, the seven did a Chuseok live, which dropped several times because of the hotel internet.
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: Jungkook observes a spider
On the 8th, Jungkook observing a spider.
October 2021 – Permission to Dance On Stage
- 10/02 Daesang at The Fact Music Awards
- 10/04 “My Universe” debuts at No. 1 on the Hot 100
- 10/15 In the SOOP 2 premieres
- 10/24 Permission to Dance On Stage, online
Read all of October
MUSIC AND STAGES
“My Universe” at No. 1
On the 4th came the news: “My Universe” debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, the first collaboration between two groups to reach the top. It was BTS’s sixth No. 1 on the chart.
“Falling”, by Jungkook
On the 29th, Jungkook posted a cover of Harry Styles’s “Falling”.
CONCERTS
Permission to Dance On Stage – Online
On the 24th, BTS held the online concert at Seoul Olympic Stadium, streamed to 197 countries. V hurt his calf in rehearsal and sang seated, without doing the choreography.
LIVES AND LOGS
Live before the concert
On the 20th, the seven made a surprise appearance in a live before the online concert.
TV AND INTERVIEWS
In the SOOP 2
On the 15th, the second season of In the SOOP premiered, filmed in Pyeongchang. It had five episodes, until November 12.
AWARDS
The Fact Music Awards
On the 2nd, five awards at The Fact Music Awards, including the Daesang.
AMA nominations
On the 28th, BTS was nominated for the American Music Awards in three categories, including Artist of the Year.
SPECIAL DATES
Jimin’s birthday
On the 13th, Jimin celebrated his birthday, went live and donated more than 100 million won to ChildFund Korea.
RUN BTS! AND EPISODE
Run BTS! – Episodes 154 and 155
Episodes 154 and 155, the last ones of 2021.
EPISODE: BTS at the UN
On the 28th, behind the scenes of the UN General Assembly.
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: meeting with Coldplay
On the 14th, behind the scenes of the meeting with Coldplay. The meeting with Megan Thee Stallion had already come out on the 9th.
BANGTAN BOMB: 3J’s “Butter” choreography
On the 3rd, Jimin, j-hope and Jungkook behind the scenes of the “Butter” choreography.
November 2021 – The AMAs and Los Angeles
- 11/07 Jin’s “Yours”
- 11/21 Artist of the Year at the AMAs
- 11/23 Grammy nomination for “Butter”
- 11/27 and 11/28 The first concerts in Los Angeles
Read all of November
AWARDS
Artist of the Year at the AMAs
On the 21st, in Los Angeles, BTS won Artist of the Year, Favorite Pop Duo or Group and Favorite Pop Song (“Butter”) at the American Music Awards. They were the first Asian artist to win Artist of the Year. On stage, “Butter” and, with Coldplay, “My Universe”, the first time they performed it together live.
Grammy nomination
On the 23rd, “Butter” was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 64th Grammy Awards. The BANGTAN BOMB from nomination night came out on the 26th.
MTV EMA
On the 14th, BTS won all four awards they were nominated for at the MTV EMA: Best Group, Best Pop, Best K-Pop and Biggest Fans.
LIVES AND LOGS
Live after the AMAs
After the ceremony, the seven went live to celebrate with ARMY.
Lives in Los Angeles
On the 28th, after the second concert, Jimin, V and Jungkook went live. On the 29th, it was SUGA’s turn.
CONCERTS
Permission to Dance On Stage – Los Angeles
On the 27th and 28th, BTS returned to the stage in front of an audience, at SoFi Stadium, in Los Angeles, in the first two of four concerts.
MUSIC AND STAGES
Jin’s “Yours”
On the 7th, Jin released “Yours”, the theme of the drama Jirisan. The song reached No. 1 on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart.
TV AND INTERVIEWS
Late Late Show
In AMAs week, BTS went on The Late Late Show with James Corden, with “Butter” and “Permission to Dance”.
In the SOOP 2 – Episodes 4 and 5
On the 12th, the last episode of the second season.
EVENTS AND FANS
Season’s Greetings 2022
On the 2nd, pre-orders for the 2022 Season’s Greetings started.
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: Jin’s breakfast
On the 11th, Jin’s breakfast menu.
BANGTAN BOMB: meeting puppies
In November, the seven playing with puppies.
December 2021
- 12/01 and 12/02 The last concerts in Los Angeles
- 12/04 “Super Tuna” and the Melon Daesang
- 12/11 All four MAMA daesangs
- Time off for the seven
Read all of December
CONCERTS
The end of the Los Angeles concerts
On the 1st and 2nd, the last two concerts at SoFi Stadium. The four concerts added up to 214,000 tickets and 33.3 million dollars, the biggest box office in almost a decade. On the 1st, Halsey joined BTS on stage.
Jingle Ball
On the 3rd, BTS performed at Jingle Ball, in Los Angeles, and the audience sang happy birthday to Jin.
MUSIC AND STAGES
Jin’s “Super Tuna”
On the 4th, his birthday, Jin released “Super Tuna”, an upbeat song with a trot rhythm. The performance video went viral.
“Girl of My Dreams”, with SUGA
On the 10th came Juice WRLD’s “Girl of My Dreams”, with SUGA. The song debuted at No. 1 on Digital Song Sales and at No. 29 on the Hot 100.
V’s “Christmas Tree”
On the 24th, V released “Christmas Tree”, from the soundtrack of the drama Our Beloved Summer.
SPECIAL DATES
Jin’s birthday
Jin’s birthday live, with the “Super Tuna” “showcase”.
V’s birthday
On the 30th, V celebrated his birthday, with special photos from Big Hit.
AWARDS
Melon Music Awards
On the 4th, “Butter” won the Song of the Year Daesang at the Melon Music Awards. The group also took Top 10, Best Male Group, Netizen Popularity and Best Collaboration (“My Universe”).
MAMA 2021
On the 11th, BTS won all four MAMA daesangs: Artist, Song (“Butter”), Album (BE) and Worldwide Icon of the Year, plus Best Male Group, Best Dance Performance and Best Music Video.
People’s Choice Awards
On the 7th, Group, Song and Music Video of the year (“Butter”) at the People’s Choice Awards.
EVENTS AND FANS
Time off and Instagram
On the 6th, Big Hit Music announced a rest period for the seven. That same day, each member opened his own Instagram account.
7FATES: CHAKHO
On the 19th came the story film of 7FATES: CHAKHO, the webtoon with BTS that premiered in January 2022.
COVID-19
On the 24th, Big Hit announced that SUGA had tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from the US. On the 25th, so did RM and Jin.
BANGTAN BOMBS
BANGTAN BOMB: the Bangtan choir
On the 18th, the seven singing as a choir.
BTS’s 2021 releases
Theme of the Japanese movie Signal, composed by Jungkook with Iyori Shimizu, of back number.
Discography
BTS’s second song entirely in English: it debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and spent ten weeks at the top.
Discography
The Hotter, Sweeter and Cooler versions of “Butter”, with MVs for Hotter and Cooler.
Discography
25 tracks, including “Film out”. BTS’s first album to pass 1 million copies in Japan.
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The “Butter” CD, with “Permission to Dance”, which also debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100.
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The version of “Butter” with American rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
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The first collaboration between two groups to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100.
DiscographyThe seven also had songs of their own in 2021: “Blue Side”, the full version of j-hope’s track, released for free on SoundCloud (March 1), RM’s “Bicycle”, for FESTA (June 7), Jin’s “Yours”, theme of the drama Jirisan (November 7), Jin’s “Super Tuna”, on his birthday (December 4), and V’s “Christmas Tree”, from the Our Beloved Summer soundtrack (December 24). There was also RM’s feature on eAeon’s “Don’t” (April 30), the new version of “Over the Horizon”, Samsung’s ringtone, made by SUGA (August 11), and Juice WRLD’s “Girl of My Dreams” with SUGA (December 10), plus Jungkook’s cover of Harry Styles’s “Falling” (October 29).
BTS’s 2021 awards and records
2021 brought ten weeks of “Butter” at the top of the Hot 100, their first Grammy performance as nominees and the Artist of the Year award at the AMAs. Here are the main ones (the full list is on our BTS awards page):
- 01/09 and 01/10 Album Daesang at the 35th Golden Disc Awards, for Map of the Soul: 7
- 01/31 Daesang at the 30th Seoul Music Awards, among six awards
- 03/04 IFPI Global Recording Artist of 2020, the first Asian artist at the top
- 03/14 First performance at the Grammys as nominees, with “Dynamite”
- 05/21 “Butter” MV with 108.2 million views in 24 hours, a Guinness record
- 05/23 Four awards at the Billboard Music Awards, including Top Duo/Group
- “Butter” with ten weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
- “Permission to Dance” debuts at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and BTS replaces themselves at the top
- 09/02 Guinness World Records 2022 Hall of Fame, with 23 records
- 09/12 Best K-Pop and Group of the Year at the MTV VMAs
- “My Universe”, with Coldplay, the first collaboration between two groups to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100, BTS’s sixth No. 1
- 11/14 All four MTV EMA awards: Best Group, Best Pop, Best K-Pop and Biggest Fans
- 11/21 Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards, the first Asian artist to win, plus two other awards
- 11/23 Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, for “Butter”
- 12/11 All four MAMA daesangs: Artist, Song (“Butter”), Album (BE) and Worldwide Icon of the Year
The 7 in 2021
RMReleased “Bicycle” as a FESTA gift and featured on “Don’t”, by singer eAeon, on the album released in April.
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JinSang “Yours”, the theme of the drama Jirisan, and released “Super Tuna” on his birthday, in a video that went viral.
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SUGAMade the new version of “Over the Horizon”, Samsung’s ringtone, and sang “Girl of My Dreams” with Juice WRLD.
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j-hopeReleased the full version of “Blue Side” for Hope World’s third anniversary and donated 100 million won to children.
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JiminSaw “Promise” become the most-played track on SoundCloud and made a donation to ChildFund Korea on his birthday.
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VReleased “Christmas Tree”, from the Our Beloved Summer soundtrack, and sang seated at the online concert, even while injured.
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JungkookComposed “Film out” with Iyori Shimizu, of back number, and posted a cover of Harry Styles’s “Falling”.
ProfileEssential videos from 2021
BTS’s 2021 concerts: from screens back to the stadium
The Map of the Soul Tour, postponed since 2020, was canceled for good on August 19, 2021. Before that, BTS kept meeting ARMY online: on April 17, Bang Bang Con 21 streamed three past concerts for free on BANGTANTV, including the Speak Yourself tour concert in São Paulo. On June 13 and 14, 2021 MUSTER SOWOOZOO celebrated their 8th anniversary straight from Jamsil Olympic Stadium, with over 1.33 million paying viewers in 195 countries. There were also MTV Unplugged (February), the special A Butterful Getaway (July) and Global Citizen Live (September).
On October 24, Permission to Dance On Stage was streamed from Seoul Olympic Stadium to 197 countries; V, with an injured calf, sang seated. And, from November 27 to December 2, BTS finally sang for an audience again: four concerts at SoFi Stadium, in Los Angeles, with 214,000 tickets and 33.3 million dollars, the biggest box office in almost a decade. On December 3, the group also performed at Jingle Ball, in Los Angeles, before their time off.
Performances, shows and behind the scenes of 2021
2021 was packed with content for ARMY: Run BTS! from episode 123 to 155, with the special alongside PD Na Young-seok, the second season of In the SOOP, filmed in Pyeongchang, the 8th anniversary FESTA, the talk shows Let’s BTS and You Quiz on the Block, the American shows (Tonight Show, Late Late Show, Late Show and Good Morning America), their debut on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge, the UN speech and lots of lives, logs and BANGTAN BOMBs. At the end of the year, the seven got time off and opened personal Instagram accounts.
Wrapping up BTS 2021
2021 began with BTS still far from the stage and ended with four sold-out concerts in a Los Angeles stadium. Along the way, “Butter” spent ten weeks at the top of the Hot 100, “Permission to Dance” and “My Universe” also reached No. 1, the seven spoke at the UN as special envoys and the group became the first Asian artist to win Artist of the Year at the AMAs.
And the story didn’t stop there: 2022 brought the Permission to Dance On Stage concerts in Seoul and Las Vegas and a new chapter for BTS, always written together with ARMY. What’s your favorite 2021 moment? Tell us in the comments! 💜
Frequently asked questions about BTS in 2021
When was “Butter” released?
On May 21, 2021. It was BTS’s second song entirely in English, and the MV got 108.2 million views in 24 hours, a Guinness record.
How many weeks did “Butter” spend at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100?
Ten weeks, not in a row. It debuted at No. 1 (the news came out on June 1, 2021), spent seven straight weeks at the top, gave way to “Permission to Dance”, also by BTS, and then returned to No. 1.
Did BTS perform in front of an audience in 2021?
Yes, at the end of the year. After MUSTER SOWOOZOO (June) and Permission to Dance On Stage (October 24), both online, BTS held four concerts with an audience at SoFi Stadium, in Los Angeles, on November 27 and 28 and December 1 and 2, 2021.
What did BTS do at the UN in 2021?
On September 20, 2021, as Special Presidential Envoys for Future Generations and Culture, the seven spoke at the SDG Moment of the 76th UN General Assembly, in New York, and showed a “Permission to Dance” video filmed at UN headquarters.
Did BTS win a Grammy in 2021?
No. On March 14, 2021, BTS performed “Dynamite” at the 63rd Grammy Awards, but the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance went to “Rain on Me”. On November 23, the group was nominated again in the same category, for “Butter”.
