'BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star' will take you on an emotional journey with seven boys from South Korea, who never thought they will make it to where they are today.
Before global sensations BTS left to serve in the mandatory South Korean military, they promised their fans that they would be releasing content while they wait till 2025 for a grand comeback. Well, they kept their promise. HYBE Corporation has now released a docu-series 'BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star' which encapsulates precious moments from their pre-debut days till today.
Director: Jun-soo Park
Available On: Disney+ Hotstar
Premiere Date: December 20 (Ep 1-2)
Genre: Docu-series
Language: Korean/English
Duration: 30-32 minutes
BTS is not just a name anymore. It's a brand. It has become a phenomenon that has significantly shaken up the music industry from its core. But that didn't happen overnight; it's the result of years of unwavering dedication, 'blood, sweat, and tears,' hard work, and perseverance by the seven members. 'BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star' intends to shed light on their story of rising from the bottom to the top of the world, where they are today.
Though the first episode is called ‘The Beginning’, one would think that it would follow the chronological order of when the band debuted. However, it starts with 2020 when the preparation for the 'Map of the Soul World Tour' was being done, and then goes back to 2013. Despite its title, it marks 2020 as a pivotal year for the band. With the world stopping due to the pandemic, they were forced to stop too. But it gave them time to reflect on themselves, as artists. “I think it was a time meant to study ourselves again,” j-hope explained, as he and his bandmates expressed their difficulties through this period and how it helped them appreciate their art. As those introspective moments unfold, the docu-series goes back in time and takes a trip down memory lane. It showcased moments from BTS’ pre-debut days to their debut on June 13, 2013 and their dance practices in not-so-good conditions. Those moments were followed by financial struggles and then their first-ever music show win at the 2013 Melon Music Awards. In an interview, the leader RM said that "music truly transcends languages, nationalities, and races." Little did that young boy know how everyone in the world would be singing their songs. Their popularity increased rapidly that they themselves didn't know how to proceed further.
BTS’ unprecedented growth continued in the 'Adolescence' episode of the docu-series where they were hungry for more. Their first-ever 'Artist of the Year' Award at the 2016 MAMA Awards became the reason for them to continue going. The boys, who didn't believe that they were invited to the 2017 Billboard Music Awards and performed at the 2017 American Music Awards, now were targeting the American market. Someone from Asia, let alone Korea, was surpassing the likes of Justin Bieber in terms of popularity and it looked like they were there to conquer. As Jin revealed, they become a hot topic in the US for being an idol group most people hadn't heard of. Yet, following the typical trajectory of how success stories go, the stars encountered a turbulent phase, battling exhaustion and injuries to the extent of even quitting and giving up and asking themselves if it's all really worth it. Lucky for us, they renewed their contract! Talks with Bang Si-hyuk transitioned from being about how to move forward in their musical journey to being about how to let loose and hold back, prioritizing the artists' happiness over everything else.
BTS stands out as a band whose journey has been extensively documented on camera. The docu-series captures their most natural, authentic reactions. No one is acting and just speaking their hearts out about how they truly feel. Their resilience, their grief, their isolation, their smiles, their happiness; it's all unfiltered and spontaneous. When they are on a high, you feel happiness with him, but when it's sadness, you can't help but shed a teardrop too. There were also many genuine, lighthearted moments captured, such as Jung Kook's shyness during his graduation ceremony or j-hope's pure innocence while celebrating his first birthday with his bandmates.
While the series features interviews with the boys themselves, it also contains talks with chairman Bang Si-Hyuk and author Kang Myeong-seok, who expresses that BTS’ desperation and willingness to connect with their fans has helped them move forward.
To fully understand and appreciate the journey of these small-town seven boys with small dreams, who left their families behind in their early teens, one must acknowledge the challenges they have overcome and the struggles they have faced. Each member lets you in and openly shares deeply personal moments, making this docu-series intimate.
While these boys are idols, this docu-series wonderfully captures their journey from being 12-18 year olds to turning 25-30 year olds in front of the world. Constantly being surrounded by cameras, you sense their humanity and genuineness. You can almost feel how unscripted the whole series is. It doesn't appear staged; instead, it's filled with raw, unfiltered emotions, and complete sincerity. The way the scenes seamlessly move back and forth the years, depicting their evolution from self-doubt to self-discovery, is remarkably beautiful.
The docu-series takes you on a quick journey from 2020 to 2013 and then back to 2020. None of it feels rushed. The fact that the band's label has stored good-quality videos from a decade ago is commendable. The music score is also brilliantly used to enhance a particular scene, featuring tracks like 'Fake Love' and 'On.' It only helps intensify your emotions.
Yes. It's suitable for all ages. Even though this docu-series is majorly made for ARMYs to see the world through BTS' eyes, it's never too late to join the Bangtan world!
From dreaming of becoming big to becoming someone else's dream, BTS has come a long way. This docu-series will do justice in showcasing their hard work and sacrifice that has brought them here today. Giving these members a space to let out their emotions and speak their truth will only help their fans feel more connected to them. It gives the viewer a chance to appreciate their much-loved band, all over again.
'BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star' is an intimate, vulnerable, and breathtaking exploration of a storied career, while ARMYs await their return in 2025. Even so, if you are someone who values art, and wants to know more about the band's journey, this is a must-watch.
*Disclaimer: This review is done after the release of the first two episodes.*