11 Of The Most Iconic BTS Moments In Honor Of Their 6th Anniversary

BTS' first live performance was aired on M Countdown, a popular K-pop chart show. They performed "No More Dream" from their debut single album, 2 Cool 4 Skool, which had been released the day before.

Admittedly, their debut received mixed reviews, and they weren't immediately popular. However, the uncertainty makes the moment a lot sweeter to watch back when you know the future: In fact, BTS did just that by reacting to their debut stage in January 2019 on a later episode of M Countdown.

BTS often speaks about the ability of music to transcend language, and with the release of 2014's Wake Up, their first Japanese studio album, they proved language would never be a barrier to spreading their message. They not only translated some of their Korean songs into Japanese, including "No More Dream" and "Boy In Luv," but also penned some original songs in Japanese.

Since Wake Up, BTS has continued to prove they can dominate in more than one language: They have released two more Japanese albums, 2016's Youth and 2018's Face Yourself.

While many of BTS' music videos are remembered for showing off their dance moves, "I Need U" kickstarted something very different in BTS' artistry. The music video — which has both an edited commercial version (above) and an uncut version meant for viewers 19 and over (which involves darker themes and more graphic imagery) — introduced the ARMY to the Bangtan Universe, a story featuring fictional versions of the members who become friends but are torn apart by their own struggles.

The stories beginning in "I Need U" were originally thought to be contained within the music videos from their 2015-16 "The Most Beautiful Moment In Life" era (also known as HYYH for short). However, it now spans up to present day, and includes music videos, short films, books (referred to as "notes"), posters, and even a webtoon. Fan theories abound as to how all of the different content connects in this non-linear timeline. Considering few other groups have managed to tell a story of this scope with and outside of their music, BTS' dedication to creating the BU is pretty incredible.

While most of BTS' focus is on their music and performances, the members have also spent quite a bit of time on camera. They've had multiple reality TV shows, which have focused on a range of subjects from travel (Bon Voyage) to hip-hop (American Hustle Life), but Run BTS! is the longest-running one, with 75 episodes as of publication.

The now-weekly variety show challenges the members to write and perform skits, play games, and complete other missions, often divided into teams and with the threat of a "punishment" looming over them. The first episode shows all seven members discussing their vision for the show, and it looks like all of their predictions (including Jimin's promise to show more of his "handsome face") came true.

By 2017, BTS was well on their way to becoming a global phenomenon. They had attended the Billboard Music Awards in the U.S. earlier that year, but their true introduction to many Western stars happened when they performed "DNA" at the American Music Awards, becoming the first K-pop group to do so. Just a day later, they earned a Guinness World Record for most Twitter engagements for a music group, so it's safe to say people were taking notice of BTS.

The AMAs also gave BTS a chance to connect with American artists, including Khalid, who they have confirmed a collaboration with in the near future.

BTS has never shied away from speaking up about important issues. Perhaps most prominent in their music is the importance of self-love, since they've even released three albums with "Love Yourself" in the title. They decided to take their desire for change further, however, when they launched the Love Myself campaign to sponsor UNICEF's #ENDviolence campaign in November 2017.

About a year after their work with UNICEF began, BTS visited the UN headquarters to support the launch of Generation Unlimited, a UNICEF initiative working to improve education and employment access for young people. While there, RM gave a moving speech on behalf of the band, encouraging people to "tell me your story. I want to hear your voice, and I want to hear your conviction. No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, gender identity: Speak yourself."

BTS was the first K-pop act to speak at the UN, and they definitely earned that honor. According to the official Love Myself website, they were the first artists in Korea to create, fundraise for, and donate to a social campaign like this. As of April 30, they've reportedly raised over $2 million for #ENDviolence.

At the 2018 Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards, BTS received the Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit from the South Korean government, making them the youngest-ever awardees. At the time, Jin, the oldest was 25, and Jungkook, the youngest, was 21. The award is given to those who spread Korean culture, a phenomenon known as Hallyu, which translates to "The Korean Wave."

Considering BTS won't give into pressure to sing in English and incorporates elements of Korean culture into some of their performances, this award is definitely well-deserved.

Burn The Stage: The Movie followed BTS on their Wings tour in 2017 and shows the ARMY just how hardworking the members are to put on an incredible show. The most shocking moment was probably when Jungkook collapsed during their show in Chile, but performed anyway because he wanted to give fans the best show possible.

Though the movie originally came to theaters in November 2018 and was only meant to have a limited run, popular demand saw it come back to theaters for two days in December of that same year in some countries. And of course, It wouldn't be a BTS film if it didn't break at least one record: Burn The Stage made $3.54 million its opening weekend, breaking the record previously set by One Direction with their documentary film One Direction: Where We Are for highest-grossing event cinema musical production.

Some may disagree with comparisons between BTS and the Beatles, but the facts don't lie: After the release of their most recent album, Map of the Soul: Persona, BTS became the first traditional group since the Fab Four themselves to score three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart in less than a year. BTS' previous No. 1 albums were Love Yourself: Tear and Love Yourself: Answer, both released in 2018.

While this was certainly not the only chart milestone they've reached, it does provide insight to their success as global artists — in addition to breaking records in K-pop, they are proving themselves to be more than capable of worldwide domination, too.

At this point, it sometimes feels like every time a member of BTS breathes, a world record is broken. The ARMY did not come to play when the music video for "Boy With Luv" — BTS' most recent single and a collaboration with Halsey — premiered: The video reached 74.6 million views after just 24 hours.

In other words, BTS broke three Guinness World Records in one day: Most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours, most viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours, and most viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours by a K-pop group. Talk about iconic.

Along with their producer and the founder of their label Big Hit Entertainment, Bang Si-hyuk, BTS was invited to join the Recording Academy, which presents the annual Grammy Awards. This invitation, if they choose to accept it, means that they can vote for who wins at the 2020 Grammys.

BTS previously received a nomination for Best Recording Package at the 2019 Grammy Awards for their album Love Yourself: Tear, but joining the Recording Academy cements their place as influential artists and recognizes their impact on the music industry.

Things are not slowing down for BTS any time soon. Having just wrapped up their Love Yourself: Speak Yourself Stadium Tour, the boys are now awaiting the June 26 release of BTS World, an interactive mobile game that depicts their journey to superstardom, and which comes with a bangin' soundtrack (it's not out yet, but you can listen to "Dream Glow," their collab with Charli XCX now). This look at their past reveals BTS' habit of working hard and winning big, so the ARMY can probably expect many more iconic moments in their future.