BTS have been omnipresent for the last decade, and their unparalleled presence is on unique display this week. The K-pop group is supposed to be on hiatus, but they’re making an exception to recognize their 10-year anniversary.
Tomorrow, June 13, will officially mark a decade since BTS’ debut, and a commemorative single “Take Two” arrived last Friday, June 9, as part of a larger celebration.
Billboard reported on May 24 that BTS 10th Anniversary FESTA is slated for this Saturday, June 17, in Seoul, South Korea, which will be “open to the public” at Yeouido, Seoul.
Seoul is ramping up anticipation (not that BTS needs any help with that) by turning the city purple throughout this week, as shared across Twitter.
Seoul in purple for @BTS_twt‘s 10th anniversary pic.twitter.com/ZTUz48p510
— BTS Charts & Translations (@charts_k) June 12, 2023
[SBS] 230612
BTS is celebrating 10th anniversary(13th). Throughout this week, Seoul will be colored purple, symbolizing BTS.
I am at Dongdaemun Design Plaza DDP. Purple lights have covered entire building since sun went down little while ago.#JIN #방탄소년단진 #BTSFesta2023 pic.twitter.com/ZUYTlQPsRI— star_jin (@nightstar1201) June 12, 2023
Seoul Landmarks Turn Purple To Celebrate Ten Years Of BTS https://t.co/a5Kczf3fQh
— uDiscover Music (@uDiscoverMusic) June 12, 2023
Seoul in purple @BTS_twt @bts_bighit ..
very beautiful purple
보라해 #BTS10thAnniversary #BTSARMY #BTSFESTA #BTSFesta2023 #BTS10thAnniversary #seoul #FestaWithBTS #FESTA2023 pic.twitter.com/QHsissFTOz— 로시 (@shi_rossi) June 12, 2023
[LIVE] Seoul in Purple: BTS’ 10th Debut Anniversary / BTS 데뷔 10주년, 보랏빛 야경의 서울 실시간 라이브
진짜 국경일 같아 자부심 막 올라온다잉 ㅜㅠ pic.twitter.com/1X96UzsbjM
— 김무원 (@jooniefighting) June 12, 2023
“The purple mark of BTS and their ARMY will shine on Seoul’s City Hall, multiple Han River bridges, the 123-story Lotte World Tower, and the cultural hub Dongdaemun Design Plaza,” relayed Rolling Stone‘s Larisha Paul. “They’ll also infiltrate the postal service beginning on Tuesday [June 13] when authorities will start issuing stamps marking the anniversary. By Saturday [June 17], fireworks will explode over a Han River park following a live talk from BTS’ RM.”
In March, RM opened up to EFE about how he was experiencing BTS’ indefinite hiatus allowing for each member to serve South Korea’s mandatory military service.
“After 10 years as a member of BTS, I didn’t know who I was and I wanted to know,” RM told the outlet. “I started out as a teenage rapper, then BTS came along and it was all very intense. Now that the group is inactive, I’ve gone back to thinking about the beginnings and the real reasons why I joined BTS.”
This week will be a particularly reflective time for all BTS members, although Jungkook just wants to be able to sleep.