BTS

Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook are members of South Korean boy band BTS, a K-pop act that has gained mainstream crossover appeal beyond Asia in markets across Europe and the Americas. Thanks to a powerful fandom who call themselves the BTS Army, by 2023 the band had amassed more than 73 million followers on their joint Instagram account alone. Jimin was considered a style icon earlier than most, earning him BoF 500 status since 2019, but his bandmates have all since been recognised by the fashion establishment, either in Korea or overseas, through castings for magazine covers and fashion editorials. The group’s members have inked numerous deals, ambassadorships and endorsements with global brands including Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Valentino, Dior, Tiffany & Co, Celine, Calvin Klein and Puma. Either together or individually, band members have appeared on the cover of numerous fashion magazines including several international editions of Vogue, W, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Esquire and Dazed.

Formed in 2010, the group started to gain real traction in the US starting around 2017 and grew from there helped by collaborations with international performers including Nicki Minaj, Coldplay and Charli XCX. In 2020, BTS became one of the few groups since the Beatles to chart four US number-one albums in less than two years. BTS has been nominated at the Grammys five times including for Best Album of the Year. In June 2022, the band announced it would go on hiatus to allow its members to complete South Korea’s mandatory military service. In the meantime, its members have released or are working on solo projects. A BTS reunion is planned for 2025.