The author behind a mystery book set to be released this summer has now been revealed.
The book, known only as 4C Untitled Flatiron Nonfiction Summer 2023, began to soar up the US sales charts after many Taylor Swift fans believed the singer had penned a surprise memoir. Very little information was provided about the book but fans came to this conclusion after apparently putting together clues.
However, it is now been revealed the memoir — which was supposed to unveil its author on June 13 — isn’t Taylor Swift, but rather an equally popular music group with a massive fanbase: the K-pop group BTS.
Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS is written by journalist Myeongseok Kang along with the members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook and will be put together as an oral history of their story as a band. It has been translated into English by Anton Hur, in collaboration with Clare Richards and Slin Jung.
The book is available to pre-order for $45 (Dh165) and has been hovering in the top 10 of the Amazon book sales and is at number one in the Barnes & Nobles pre-order charts.
Interest in the book began when US booksellers shared news that an untitled work with an initial print run of one million copies was coming on July 9. The huge number and short time between its announcement and arrival date suggested it would be a famous author.
Publisher Flatiron Books also issued a release saying would have “global appeal” and “massive publicity” while describing it as a “biography or autobiography” that would feature 40 colour photos.
The early details about the untitled work were picked up as clues by both fans of Swift and BTS, such as the original author reveal date of June 13 with 13 being Swift’s favourite number but also the date of the 10th anniversary of the K-pop band’s first single, No More Dream.
Another clue involved the 544 page count with the numbers 5, 4 and 4 adding up to 13. Even the release date of July 9 raised eyebrows for BTS fans. It is Army Day, which celebrates the day the name "Army" was first coined for the band's fanbase. However, it is also two days after Swift releases her re-recorded album Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).
In October, BTS's record label confirmed the members would begin their mandatory military service and would reunite in 2025 when all had completed it. The oldest member of the band, Jin, began his military service in December, with J-Hope following in April.
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BTS through the years: the K-pop band at the Korean Culture Convention (K-Con), held at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on August 10, 2014. AFP -
Members of BTS arrive on the red carpet for K-Con 2014. AFP -
BTS on the red carpet for the Asia Artist Awards in Seoul on November 16, 2016. AFP -
Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and JungKook of BTS at Music Choice in New York City on March 22, 2017. Getty -
BTS perform Fake Love at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 20, 2018. AP -
BTS accept the Top Social Artist award at the Billboard Music Awards on May 20, 2018. Reuters -
BTS attend the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2018. AP -
BTS perform during a Korean cultural event in Paris as part of the South Korean president's official visit to France on October 14, 2018. AFP -
BTS on the red carpet at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong on December 14, 2018. AP -
BTS at the Seoul Music Awards on January 15, 2019. Getty -
BTS present the award for Best R&B Album during the 61st Grammy Awards on February 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. AFP -
BTS perform on Saturday Night Live on April 11, 2019. Getty -
BTS before rehearsals for KBS 2TV's Music Bank in Yeouido, Seoul, on April 19, 2019. Getty -
BTS perform at concert to promote 18th Fina World Championships at a stadium in Gwangju, South Korea on April 28, 2019. EPA -
BTS and Halsey performing Boy With Luv at the Billboard Music Awards on May 1, 2019. Reuters -
BTS attend Youth Day at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul on September 19, 2020. Reuters -
BTS present a purple gift box to President Moon Jae-in during the inaugural Youth Day event in Seoul on September 19, 2020. EPA -
BTS on the red carpet during the annual Mama Awards at Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, Japan, on December 4, 2019. Reuters -
BTS at the 34st annual Golden Disk Awards ceremony in Seoul on January 4, 2020. EPA -
BTS arrive at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on January 26, 2020. AP -
BTS visit the Today Show at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on February 21, 2020. AFP -
BTS give an address as part of the YouTube Originals Dear Class of 2020 speeches. YouTube Originals -
BTS performing as part of the YouTube Originals Dear Class of 2020 speeches. YouTube Originals -
BTS perform 'Dynamite' during the MTV Video Music Awards on August 30, 2020. Reuters -
BTS accept the award for Best Pop Video for 'On' during the MTV Video Music Awards on August 30, 2020. AP -
BTS arrives to security check-in at the United Nations headquarters during the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 20, 2021. AFP -
V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope of BTS arrive at the 2021 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on November 21, 2021. Reuters -
BTS accepts the award for artist of the year at the American Music Awards in 2021 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. AP -
Jin, Suga, V, Jungkook, RM, Jimin, and J-Hope of BTS hold their award for the Favourite Pop Song, Favourite Duo or Group and Artist of the Year awards during the 2021 American Music Awards. Reuters -
BTS pose on red carpet of iHeartRadio Jingle Ball concert in California on December 3, 2021. Reuters -
BTS perform at Jamsil Olympic Park in southern Seoul, South Korea on March 10, 2022. EPA -
BTS pose on red carpet of 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 3, 2022. Reuters -
BTS perform Butter during 64th Annual Grammy Awards show in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 3, 2022. Reuters -
BTS Permission to Dance concert in Las Vegas on April 10, 2022. Photo: Big Hit Music -
Members of BTS join Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, centre, during a news conference at the White House in Washington DC on May 31, 2022. Photo: Oliver Contreras / Sipa / Bloomberg
