If you’ve ever listened to a BTS song and wondered, “How did these seven boys from South Korea come together to change global music?”—you’re not alone. The journey of how BTS formed is nothing short of extraordinary. “The story unfolds with chance meetings, tough auditions, relentless training, and a dream so big it felt impossible at first.”
So grab your coffee (or bubble tea 😅), because we’re about to dive deep into the fascinating story of how BTS formed and became the phenomenon we know today.
The Big Dream: Where the BTS Story Began
The story of how BTS formed doesn’t actually begin with the members. It starts with Bang Si-hyuk, a producer and the founder of Big Hit Entertainment. Back in the late 2000s, Big Hit wasn’t the billion-dollar empire it is today—it was a small agency struggling to survive in an industry dominated by giants like SM, YG, and JYP.
Bang Si-hyuk wanted to do something different. While most K-pop companies focused on polished idols who sang about love and heartbreak, he dreamed of forming a group that spoke honestly about youth struggles—school pressure, mental health, chasing dreams, and identity. And that dream was the seed of how BTS formed.
RM: The First Piece of the Puzzle
Every great story has a starting point, and for BTS, it was RM (Kim Nam-joon). RM wasn’t your typical K-pop hopeful. He was an underground rapper, performing under the name “Runch Randa.” His raw talent caught the attention of rapper Sleepy, who introduced him to Big Hit.
Bang Si-hyuk was impressed and signed RM in 2010. Little did anyone know then—this shy, genius lyricist would become the leader of BTS. In many ways, how BTS formed truly began with RM.
Suga and J-Hope: The Rap and Dance Foundation
Next came Suga (Min Yoongi), another underground rapper from Daegu. Unlike most K-pop trainees, Suga didn’t dream of being on stage. He wanted to produce music. But destiny had other plans—he passed Big Hit’s “Hit It” audition and became the second member.
Then came J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok), a dancer from Gwangju who had already built a name for himself in dance competitions. His energy and skill convinced Big Hit he was the missing piece of the puzzle. Together, RM, Suga, and J-Hope formed the rap-dance backbone of BTS. At this point, the picture of how BTS formed was slowly taking shape.
The Unexpected Vocalists: Jin, Jimin, V, and Jungkook
But Bang Si-hyuk realized that if the group wanted to go beyond hip-hop and capture mainstream audiences, they needed strong vocalists. That’s when the rest of the members joined, each with a unique story:
- Jin was spotted on the street because of his striking looks. He actually wanted to be an actor, but Big Hit saw potential and convinced him to train as a vocalist.
- Jimin, one of the top students at Busan High School of Arts, auditioned for BigHit after his dance teacher urged him to give it a try. He barely made it in, but his powerful vocals and contemporary dance skills became irreplaceable.
- V (Kim Taehyung) wasn’t even planning to audition. He just went to support a friend—but a Big Hit staff member encouraged him to try, and his soulful voice earned him a spot. Talk about fate!
- Jungkook, later nicknamed the ‘Golden Maknae,’ caught attention on SuperStar K and soon had several top agencies chasing after him. But after meeting RM, he chose Big Hit, believing in the group’s vision.
With these final additions, the lineup was complete. And just like that, how BTS formed as a seven-member group was sealed.
The Hard Road: BTS Trainee Life
If you think that once the members were chosen, everything was smooth sailing—you’re wrong. The real test of how BTS formed was the trainee years.
The boys were just teenagers, living together in a cramped dorm, surviving on instant noodles, and training up to 15 hours a day. Singing, dancing, rapping, learning English, media training—every day was a grind.
There were moments of doubt. Members thought of quitting. J-Hope even briefly left the company. But Bang Si-hyuk believed in them, and the boys believed in each other. That shared hardship became the glue that explains how BTS formed into not just a band, but a family.
2013: When BTS Finally Debuted
After years of sweat and tears, BTS debuted on June 13, 2013, with their single No More Dream from the album 2 Cool 4 Skool. Unlike other idol groups, they rapped about real issues—academic pressure, rebellion against societal expectations, and chasing dreams.
At first, they weren’t an overnight success. Many doubted them. Big Hit was small, and the boys weren’t backed by the massive budgets their competitors had. But that didn’t stop them. They performed on small stages, tirelessly promoted online, and connected directly with fans through social media. This was a turning point in how BTS formed their identity—raw, real, and relatable.
Why BTS Was Different
So, what made BTS stand out in a sea of K-pop idols? The answer lies in how BTS formed their philosophy as a group. They weren’t afraid to write their own lyrics, tackle taboo topics like mental health, and speak about the struggles of being young.
While other groups often presented a “perfect” image, BTS showed their flaws. They vlogged, tweeted, and shared behind-the-scenes stories that made fans feel like friends, not just followers. This transparency was revolutionary and central to how BTS formed their unshakable bond with ARMY, their fandom.
The Rise: From Korea to the World
After their initial struggles, things started changing with their 2015 The Most Beautiful Moment in Life albums. Songs like I Need U and Run captured the raw emotions of youth and gained international attention. By 2017, BTS became the first K-pop group to win a Billboard Music Award, and the world finally woke up to their talent.
And from there? History. Stadium tours, Billboard No.1 hits, a speech at the United Nations, Grammy nominations—the list goes on. But none of it would have happened without the early struggles and the unique way how BTS formed in the first place.
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More Than a Band: A Global Movement
Today, BTS isn’t just a boy band. They’re a cultural movement, a voice for an entire generation. They’ve spoken at the UN, launched campaigns for self-love, donated millions to charities, and inspired countless young people to chase their dreams.
But at the heart of it all, the magic lies in how BTS formed—seven boys from different backgrounds, united by music, hard work, and a dream.
Conclusion: The True Meaning of How BTS Formed
So, how BTS formed is not just about auditions and training. It’s about resilience, faith, and breaking norms. It’s about RM’s underground rap roots, Suga’s producer dreams, J-Hope’s dance passion, Jin’s unexpected journey, Jimin’s perseverance, V’s twist of fate, and Jungkook’s fearless choice.
Who are the members of BTS and how were they selected?
The seven members of BTS are RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Each member entered BigHit Entertainment at different times—some through auditions, others through street casting or personal recommendations. The company picked them for their raw talent, unique personalities, and the spark that promised they could shine together as a group.
What was the original concept of BTS?
At first, BigHit planned BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan or Bulletproof Boy Scouts) as a pure hip-hop crew, built around sharp rap verses and raw street performances. Over time, the concept evolved into a K-pop idol group with a blend of rap, vocals, dance, and strong storytelling in their music.
When was BTS formed?
BigHit Entertainment began putting BTS together in 2010, first envisioning them as a hip-hop group. After years of training and lineup changes, the final seven members officially debuted on June 13, 2013.
Why is BTS called Bangtan Sonyeondan?
“Bangtan Sonyeondan” translates to “Bulletproof Boy Scouts.” The name symbolizes protecting young people from prejudice, oppression, and expectations like a bulletproof vest. Later, BigHit introduced their English name, Beyond The Scene, to capture the group’s spirit of growth and constant forward movement.
How long did BTS members train before debut?
Training periods varied: RM trained the longest (since 2010), while Jungkook joined in 2011 at just 13 years old. Most members trained between 2 to 4 years before their debut in 2013.
What was BTS’s debut song?
BTS debuted with the single “No More Dream” from their first album 2 Cool 4 Skool on June 13, 2013. The song expressed youth rebellion and dreams, setting the tone for their early identity.
Was BTS successful immediately after debut?
Not at first. BTS faced tough competition in the K-pop industry and struggled financially. However, their authentic lyrics, relatable struggles, and powerful performances gradually won fans, leading to global fame.
Who was the first and last member to join BTS?
RM (Kim Namjoon) was the first official member, joining BigHit in 2010. Jimin (Park Jimin) was the last to join in 2012, just a year before debut.
Did BTS always have seven members?
No. The group went through several lineup changes during its formation. Some trainees left, and the final seven members we know today were chosen by 2012.
What makes BTS’s formation story unique?
Unlike many idol groups built purely for commercial appeal, BTS was formed with a focus on real-life struggles, artistry, and storytelling. Their journey from a small company to global superstars is often seen as an underdog success story.
The journey of BTS is truly inspiring. Seven boys from different backgrounds have managed to touch the world through their music, hard work, and dreams. It wasn’t just the initial struggles, tough auditions, or trainee life—it was their mutual trust and perseverance that transformed BTS into not just a band, but a family. Each member—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—contributed their unique talent and story, making BTS’s success possible. This article reminds us once again that BTS is not just a music group, but an inspiration and a cultural movement for an entire generation