BTS song legacy: the iconic tracks that shaped their global journey

For 12 years, Bangtan Sonyeondan, widely known as BTS, has brought a dynamic mix of music styles to fans around the world. From high-energy anthems to emotional ballads, the group has built a discography that resonates with fans across the globe.

Their songs have become go-to favorites for karaoke nights, dance covers, social media trends, and personal playlists.

While we count down to their next big release, it’s the perfect time to look back at the songs that shaped their journey. Here are five iconic BTS songs behind the global rise of the group, often dubbed the kings of K-pop.

1. The first BTS song that started it all

When asked about the first BTS song you heard, answers may vary depending on which comeback you caught. But for OG ARMYs, there's no forgetting their debut track, “No More Dream,” released on June 13, 2013. The song boldly asks, “What is your dream?” while expressing the group’s own hopes as rookies in the K-pop scene. With raw energy and honest lyrics, it struck a chord with teenagers who, like them back then, were still figuring things out.

2. From struggle to breakthrough

It’s no secret that BTS was once on the verge of disbanding, as their early songs struggled to break into the charts. But everything changed in 2015 with the release of “I Need U” as the track earned them their first-ever music show win — a moment many consider the turning point of their career. It marked the beginning of broader recognition for the group. The music video, which explores the raw beauty and uncertainty of young adulthood, quickly gained attention and became their fastest at the time to reach one million views.

3. The most iconic BTS song in their rise to fame

International ARMYs might have discovered BTS when “DNA” hit American radio stations in 2017. This track was performed during their debut at a major U.S. television award show — the American Music Awards. It also climbed to No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100, breaking the record previously held by Wonder Girls’ track “Nobody,” which had been the highest-charting K-pop song at the time. 

“DNA” helped solidify BTS’s presence not just globally, but particularly in Western markets, introducing a wider and more diverse audience to K-pop and paving the way for other Korean acts on the global stage.

4. Their first all-English global smash

As they continue to grow their international presence, BTS released their first full-English track, “Dynamite,” during the pandemic. After seven years of global success, the upbeat disco-pop song marked a major milestone as it earned the group their first-ever GRAMMY nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, making them the first Korean act to receive such recognition. 

Though they didn’t win, “Dynamite” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming BTS’s first chart-topping single in the U.S. and making them the first all-South Korean act to achieve this feat.

5. More to come

Before the members began their military service, BTS released the 2022 title track “Yet to Come.” The song reflects on their journey, celebrating past achievements, musical eras, and their deep bond with ARMY, as they marked nine years together. 

The music video is filled with nostalgic imagery, featuring visual callbacks to tracks like “Blood Sweat & Tears,” “Run,” and “ON.” Fans interpreted this powerful release as both a tribute to their legacy and a promise of more to come. Serving as an open letter to ARMY, “Yet to Come” assures listeners that while the group may pause, their story, especially their global rise, is far from over.