BTS has achieved another feat that no other Asian pop act has done as they are the first all-Asian group to be featured in the cover story of Rolling Stone, the popular U.S. pop culture magazine, in its 54-year run.
In a post on their social media accounts, the magazine shared that their story on BTS has focused on how the seven boys were able to smash the boundary, achieve global success, and usher a music evolution. The feature also delves into the individual profiles of RM, Suga, Jimin, J-Hope, Jungkook, Jin and V. The magazine also shared a few behind-the-scene clips with the famous septet.
The Rolling Stone story highlights how the band did away with the traditional concept of masculinity by wearing makeup and dying their hair, to crying in front of their fans on stage to express their emotions for the massive support they've gained from all over the world.
The magazine is also the first to probe on the upcoming release of "Butter," the band's much-awaited new all-English single after "Dynamite." BTS said that their new song will not have a heavy message as it will be the ultimate summer song, simply light-hearted and danceable.
The boys also discussed serious issues with the magazine, with RM, the band's leader, saying that they are very aware of what is going on in the world despite their gigantic success. BTS has been making chart-topping hits one after the other and breaking the boundaries amid a global pandemic or a growing anti-Asian in the U.S.
RM said that they hope their work and their existence will contribute to smashing down xenophibia and the negative perceptions against Asians. In March, the band released a statement to stop Asian hate and revealed that they've experienced racism as well.
The group also addressed an issue that have had fans curious -- will they disband as soon as one of them enters mandatory military service in South Korea? Jin, who will be the first to go because of his age, said that he will be sad to leave the band to be in the military. However, he hinted that the group will go on without him as he said he will be watching the rest of his co-members on the internet and "cheering them on."
Jin, however, will have at least two more years before he needs to be of service, thanks to a new law in South Korea, which has extended the age of mandatory military training for K-pop bands as big as BTS because they've "enhanced" the country's image. Thus, Jin said he will be working harder before his time is up.
V, on the other hand, believes that they can work something out when they have to pause on music for army duty. Jimin said that he believes BTS will stay together, even if they have to be temporarily apart because of their military obligation.
