Here's Why Fans Are Extra Excited About BTS' Billboard Music Awards Performance
If you're reading this and you're a BTS fan, you know that RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook have had a stellar 2020 so far. The Korean pop group's first English single, "Dynamite," which was released in August broke YouTube's 24 hour music record by clocking up 101.1 million views in one day (via Insider). The group has the most No. 1s in iTunes history (via Indigo Music). They've also settled comfortably in the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Global charts, Billboard Global 200, and the Billboard Global Excluding U.S. charts. And they may have raked up numerous awards this year, the group is still in the running for top duo/group and top social artist for the Billboard Music Awards (via Billboard).
BTS knows their success comes down to the loyalty of their fan base, known as the ARMY, and while there are few things the group wouldn't do for their fans, there is one thing the band can't do at the moment — and that's to stage a live concert. Because the K-pop boyband haven't really had many opportunities to perform live since the pandemic began, we can imagine the ARMY is counting the days before BTS' performance at the BBMAs later this week (via Film Daily).
COVID-19 has left BTS and the entertainment industry in limbo
Still, BTS fans aren't completely bereft, because the Korean boyband has still made a collection of their old concerts available to fans to stream on the group's BangtanTV YouTube channel. But still, we get that it's not the same.
If it's any comfort to BTS fans, they aren't the only ones who have been left hanging as a result of the pandemic. As a whole, The Hollywood Reporter says the entertainment industry will lose an estimated $160 billion worth of growth, which will carry over the next five years. Many theaters have been closed since the start of the pandemic — and they're likely to stay that way for some time. CNBC has already reported that the Broadway season in New York will remain off until May 30, 2021. That closure will impact nearly 97,000 workers.