BTS are the youngest recipients to be awarded the"Order of Cultural Merit" with only 5 years of experience for outstanding meritorious services in the fields of culture and art in the interest of promoting the national culture and national development. It is one of South Korea's“Orders of Merit” which is the 2nd Highest Order of the country after the“Grand Order of Mugunghwa”.[Source][Source][Source]
BTS is the overall youngest recipients and the first artists in history to get awarded the“General James A. Van Fleet Award” in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of US-Korea relations.[Source][Source]
BTS is the overall youngest recipients and the first artists in history to be awarded both“The Order of Cultural Merit” and“The General James A. Van Fleet Award”.[Source][Source]
BTS is the first Asian Group, first Korean Singers and 2nd Koreans(after Lee Sooman) to be honored the“2020 Asia Game Changer Award” by the Asia Society which is given to those that have inspired, enlightened, and shown true leadership in areas that reflect Asia Society’s core pillars of policy and business, arts and culture, and education.[Source][Source][Source]
At the Oval House, White House, US President Joe Biden gave BTS the Presidential Challenge Coins at the end of the meeting. Each President has its own Challenge Coins which are usually given to military / foreign leaders etc. It was a huge sign of respect that Biden gave his challenge coins to BTS.[Source][Source][Source]
Impact
BTS is the first artist in the pop culture industry to be appointed as a special envoy in South Korea.[Source]
BTS is the first Musician/Celebrity to be appointed by President Moon Jae-in as South Korea's“Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture" for public diplomacy and to attend major international meetings, including the 76th session of the U.N. General Assembly. President Moon presented each BTS member with a certificate of appointment as Presidential Envoys, as well as a Republic of Korea diplomatic passports and fountain pens as gifts.[Source][Source][Source][Source][Source][Source]
According to President Moon Jae-in, BTS is a topic that has been raised many times at the start of dialogue in meetings with foreign leaders, which makes diplomatic activities"easier”.[Source]
During a privately conducted meeting between President Moon and BTS, Moon revealed that the UN had initially invited BTS to the general assembly, enhancing the global stature of South Korea.[Source][Source]
BTS was the only K-pop act to perform in the"Bridge to Korea" festival in Russia(to promote tourism between the two countries) in 2014. They were spreading Korean culture since 2014. They also participated as judges for a K-pop cover dance competition in the event.[Source][Source][Source][Source]
The World Economic Forum wrote an article about BTS’ effect in Globalization 4.0. The World Economic Forum is one of the biggest international forums globally.[Source]
University of Berkeley integrated BTS into a Spring 2019 semester course of Sociology. Course name is“Next Generation Leaders: BTS”.[Source][Source]
A filmmaker is creating a film about a Korean-Cuban who worked his whole life to preserve Korean culture in Cuba. The filmmaker credits BTS with accomplishing this man's task"overnight", leading young Korean-Cubans toward interest in their heritage.[Source]
New York City’s Empire State Building Lights Up In Sparkling Purple For BTS.(The Empire State Building isn't used for simple advertisement or personal events. Also, it is not easy to get instant approval like this. It's a tourist attraction & is used to give homage to important & historical events / cultural moments.)[Source][Source][Source]
New York City’s Empire State Building was lit up colorful for the 2nd time for“My Universe”.[Source][Source][Source][Source]
Wembley Stadium was turned purple for BTS and ARMY because of their concert at the Wembley Stadium.[Source][Source]
The Tower of London was lit in purple to welcome BTS for their concerts on Wembley Stadium.[Source]
Stade De France was lit in purple for BTS’ concerts.[Source][Source]
Buildings in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were turned purple in honor of BTS for their first stadium concert.[Source][Source][Source][Source]
During the two days of the Osaka Speak Yourself Stadium Tour shows, Redhorse Osaka Wheel was light up purple for BTS.[Source][Source]
The Center Pompidou in Paris offered BTS to open up a space dedicated to them in their art museum to use, reflecting their popularity & cultural impact.[Source][Source][Source][Source]
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was lit up purple for BTS on the day when BTS was due to perform(concert was cancelled due to Covid-19).[Source][Source]
The Olympiastadion, Berlin was lit in Purple in support of BTS, on the day when BTS was due to perform(concert was cancelled due to Covid-19).[Source][Source][Source]
Several locations in Japan, including Tokyo Tower, were lit up purple for the release of BTS’ new album"BTS, THE BEST”.[Source][Source][Source]
McDonald’s in Honduras was lit up purple for the BTS Meal.[Source]
SoFi Stadium in USA was lit purple for BTS’ PTD Stage concerts.[Source][Source]
The Pacific Park in Santa Monica was lit up in purple to welcome BTS for their 4 shows in SoFi Stadium.[Source][Source]
Selected McDonald's branches in California US went purple to show support for BTS's first live concert in two years“Permission to Dance On Stage” in SoFi Stadium.[Source][Source]
Official After Party for PTD was held in Las Vegas’ Jewel Night Club.[Source][Source]
The whole Las Vegas was lit up purple for BTS for their 4 shows at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.[Source][Source][Source][Source][Source]
6 BTS pop-up experiences in Las Vegas were opened for BTS Permission to Dance on Stage: Las Vegas.[Source]
According to Don Jacobson who is a IT Business Partner at Las Vegas who has 40 years public service working with new technologies, he said that every single resort in Las Vegas coordinated the color of the lights of their giant marquees to be purple to welcome BTS for BTS’ sold out four shows at Allegiant stadium. That’s a total of 260,000 seats.[Source]
The Luxor Hotel & Casino Las Vegas was lit purple to welcome BTS for their 4 shows at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.[Source]
The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod was lit purple to welcome BTS for their 4 shows at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.[Source][Source]
The City Hall in Las Vegas was turned purple for BTS for their 4 shows at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.[Source][Source]
Paris Las Vegas was turned purple for BTS for their 4 shows at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.[Source]
Harry Reid International Airport was lit purple for BTS for BTS’ concerts at Las Vegas. This was the first time that the airport illuminated an air traffic control tower in a special color for anyone or anything.[Source][Source]
The Fountains of Bellagio were lit purple for BTS for BTS’ concerts at Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.[Source][Source][Source][Source]
During President Moon Jae-in visit to Norway, Harald V the King mentioned BTS in his speech at a state banquet and asked when they are going to have a concert in Norway.[Source][Source][Source][Source]
President Mohammad Abdul Hamid of Bangladesh revealed that his grandchildren are actually fans of BTS.[Source][Source]
Kim Yong, the president of World Bank(2012-2019) is a fan of BTS.[Source]
The King of Malaysia chose Hip Hop and BTS during his coronation in a fun interview.[Source]
BTS’s economic impact on London in 2019(the world’s 2nd most visited city) was estimated to be $83.9M thanks to their 2 day concerts at Wembley Stadium.[Source][Source][Source][Source]
Profits for Wembley alone are estimated to be $16.8M. And for the stadium tour, profits are estimated at least $125.9M.(profits & revenue are different)[Source][Source]
Penn State University Libraries awarded its Undergraduate Research Award: Excellence in Information Literacy to its undergraduate students. Among the papers, one research work is about BTS.[Source]
Reservations to Malta have increased by 277%, mostly thanks to BTS, says a travel site.[Source]
A report stated a 237% increase(of Korean tourists) in Malta between Jan to May 2019 compared to the same period of 2018 due to BTS visiting for Bon Voyage filming. BTS played a key role in the surge.[Source]
Awards/Honors
Impact