South Korean pop group BTS marks a new milestone with the release of its first official biography.
Titled Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS, the 544-page book chronicles the group's career and phenomenal rise to the top. It also contains hints about the group's future.
South Korean journalist Myeongseok Kang put the book together based on extensive interviews with the group members — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.
The English translation was done by Anton Hur, Slin Jung, and Clare Richards.
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TREAT FOR FANS
An article by Lenika Cruz for The Atlantic mentioned that the book is divided into seven sections "that trace the major eras of the group’s rise."
Many of the milestones in the group's history are mentioned, including record-breaking chart placements and significant live appearances.
But fans will be delighted to learn more about the group's early beginnings and struggles, and even their lifestyles and diet as a fledgling pop act.
The author devoted space in the book to discuss the K-pop scene and industry landscape before the group's meteoric rise to fame.
Promotion is one of BTS's strongest assets and the book provides insights how management utilized social media and online platforms to make up for the lack of marketing budget and connections.
There were many instances when the group let their guard down and revealed vulnerability, moments that were shared in the book.
Amid the glamour and worldwide adulation, the members revealed struggling with insecurities, fatigue, and burnout, while simultaneously keeping a brave face to sustain the group's momentum.
“We all wanted to say, ‘Let’s quit,’ but none of us could bring ourselves to do it,” said Suga.
With the group currently on hiatus, some members are pursuing solo projects at the moment, BTS supporters have so much to still look forward to in the coming years.
J-Hope remarked, "I always want to thank the members, and we can keep running forward if we think, ‘If ARMY can laugh and be happy, that is our happiness.’”
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FILIPINO VERSION
Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS is published in several languages to cater to the band's huge fanbase around the world.
Here in the Philippines, local publisher Apop has partnered with BigHit Music, BTS' agency, to release a Filipino version of the book for P1,999.
Apop, which translates Korean books for the English-speaking market, is the same publisher that brought Korean literary works, Being Comfortable Without Effort and I Decided to Live As Me, to the Philippines.
Fans can also check out local bookstores for copies of the book.