BTS

BTS released their debut single album 2 Cool 4 Skool, the first leg of their "school trilogy" series, on June 12, 2013, along with the lead track "No More Dream," which swiftly debuted at number one. The album, on the other hand, charted in the top five in South Korea's Gaon Music Chart. "We Are Bulletproof Pt. 2," their follow-up single, failed to chart. BTS used an old-school hip-hop tune with scratches from the 1980s–90s and impressive visuals in 2 Cool 4 Skool. Following the release of the single album, the singer made multiple appearances on Korean music shows. Despite their rough edges, observers claim BTS' early live performances showed their potential. "No More Dream" was then re-recorded in Japanese and released in June 2014, as part of their expansion into Japan.

BTS released the second piece of their "school trilogy," the extended play O!RUL8,2?, in September 2013, along with the single "N.O." Despite multiple appearances on Korean music shows, the song quickly faded from view. BTS also starred in their own variety show, SBS MTV's Rookie King Channel Bangtan, in which members mocked series like VJ Special Forces and MasterChef Korea. BTS won multiple New Artist of the Year accolades at the end of the year, including the 5th Melon Music Awards, the 28th Golden Disc Awards, and the 23rd Seoul Music Awards.

Dark & Wild album, was BTS's debut which was recorded in a Korean studio. It was released in August 2014 and reached number two in South Korea. Two singles were released to support it: "Danger" and "War of Hormone" (Korean: RR: Horeumon Jeonjaeng). The album acted as a narrative continuation of the "school trilogy" as well as a bridge to their following series. BTS went on their first concert tour, 2014 BTS Live Trilogy Episode II: The Red Bullet, from October to December, after multiple appearances on Korean music shows.

You Never Walk Alone, a repackaged edition of Wings, was released by BTS in February 2017. The repackaged album's pre-orders set a new record for the most albums sold in a month. The lead single "Spring Day" was included in the repackage. It began a new chapter in BTS' aesthetics and lyricism, evoking nostalgia and melancholy, and drew a large following. It debuted on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 songs chart in the United States. At the 9th Melon Music Awards, "Spring Day" was named Best Song of the Year. BTS' second world tour, 2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour, began in February and went until December, coinciding with the release of You Never Walk Alone.

BTS began to play larger venues as the tour progressed, ranging from halls to arenas and domes. Due to great demand, two additional gigs were added to the North American leg, making BTS the first K-pop act to sell out arenas in the United States. BTS won Top Social Artist at the 24th Billboard Music Awards in May after completing their North American leg, making them the first Korean group to win a Billboard Music Award.

The IFPI crowned BTS the Global Recording Artist of the Year for 2020 on March 4, 2021, making them the first Asian and non-English speaking act to do so. With Map of the Soul: 7 at number one, Be (Deluxe Edition) at number two, and Map of the Soul: 7–The Journey at number eight on the Global Album Sales Chart of 2020, BTS occupied three slots. [243] Map of the Soul: 7 took the top spot on the newly established Global Album All Format Chart, while Be (Deluxe Edition) came in fourth. [244] BTS also made their debut appearance on the 2020 Global Digital Single Chart, with "Dynamite" landing in tenth place.