K-pop superstars BTS are celebrating their ninth anniversary as a group after making their music debut on June 13, 2013.
In honour of the special occasion — and only days after the group released their three-album anthology series Proof on Friday — member Jungkook has also released a new single called My You. Sung in English and Korean, the track is dedicated to Army (the moniker for BTS fans) for all their support over the years.
On Friday, the band’s anticipated new compilation album came out. The triple-album consists of 48 songs and features a mix of old favourites, solo tracks and unreleased demos. It also has three new songs: Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment), For Youth and Run BTS, each of which fits into a different genre and conveys its own message.
The album reportedly sold more than two million copies on the first day of its release, the group's entertainment agency said. The anthology album had sold a total of 2.15 million copies as of Friday evening, only 10 hours after it became available on the market, said Hanteo Chart, a South Korean music chart, as reported by news agency Yonhap.
BTS comprises members J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, RM, V and Suga. Together, they are the best-selling artists in South Korean history, and became the first K-pop group to be nominated for a Grammy.
The group last month met with US President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss rising Asian hate crimes in America.
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Members of the K-pop supergroup BTS join White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during the daily briefing at the White House. AP -
BTS members speak during the daily briefing at the White House. AP -
Ms Jean-Pierre gestures to group members during the daily briefing. AP -
Ms Jean-Pierre joins BTS members (from left) V, Jungkook, Jimin, RM, Jin, J-Hope and Suga. AP -
RM speaks, accompanied by other BTS members, during the daily briefing at the White House. AP -
A fan of BTS holds up a poster of the band outside the White House. AFP -
A fan of BTS holds a doll in the likeness of BTS member Jungkook outside the White House in Washington. AFP -
The Jungkook doll sits at the gates of the White House. AFP -
Fans hold a BTS poster outside the White House. AFP -
BTS members appear at the UN meeting on Sustainable Development Goals during the 76th session of the General Assembly in New York in September. Pool / AP -
BTS perform at a concert at Jamsil Olympic Park in southern Seoul, South Korea, in Match. EPA / Yonhap Handout South Korea -
BTS members arrive at The Fact Music Awards in Incheon, South Korea, in 2019. AP
“It is great honour to be invited to the White House today to discuss important issues of anti-Asian hate crimes, Asian inclusion and diversity,” band member RM said before the band's meeting.
J Hope thanked BTS fans around the world “who have different nationalities and cultures, and use different languages”.
“We are truly and always grateful,” he said.
Suga said: “It's not wrong to be different. I think equality begins when we open up and embrace all of our differences.”
V said the band hoped their appearance at the White House would be a step in the right direction for people of varying cultures to be understood and respected.
“Everyone has their own history,” he said.
15 celebrities at the White House, from Elvis Presley to Kim Kardashian — in pictures
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K-pop band BTS meet President Joe Biden in the Oval Office. Photo: BTS Official / Twitter -
US President Richard Nixon, left, and rock 'n' roll musician Elvis Presley shake hands during a meeting at the White House on December 21, 1970. Getty Images -
US President Richard Nixon, left, shakes hands with James Brown in the White House's Oval Office, Washington DC, October 10, 1972. Getty Images -
Brazilian football star Pele toured the White House and ended up in the Rose Garden giving President Ford a football lesson. Getty Images -
The president and his wife chat with singer Johnny Cash and his family at the White House. Getty Images -
After lending his hit song 'Beat It' to a campaign against drink driving, Michael Jackson was rewarded with a Presidential Special Achievement Award by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Getty Images -
From left: Prince Charles, Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan and Princess Diana. Getty Images -
President Reagan met with Elton John in 1982. Getty Images -
US President George W. Bush stands with Bono following the Irish rocker's speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC. Getty Images -
Jay Z and Beyonce arrive at the presidential inauguration in the US Capitol on January 21, 2013, in Washington DC. Getty Images -
Angelina Jolie, left, and Brad Pitt, right, are seen the Oval Office of the White House after a meeting on January 11, 2012. Getty Images -
Bob Dylan receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama on May 29, 2012 in Washington DC. Getty Images -
Kanye West talks with President Donald Trump in the White House's Oval Office on October 11, 2018. Getty Images -
Kim Kardashian was invited to the White House by President Donald Trump on June 13, 2019, to discuss prison reform. Getty Images -
President Joe Biden records a video address with Olivia Rodrigo on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, in the Oval Office. Adam Schultz / The White House
