How BTS Became an International Pop Phenomenon

BTS were already massive in their native South Korea in 2017 when they scored one of their defining hits, the emotional ballad “Spring Day.” It was a poignant tale of grief and loss. Three years later, “Dynamite” showed a totally different extreme of their music, going for dance-floor kicks. The Chic-style disco rush of “Dynamite” was a blast of sunshine, during the bleak days of the pandemic in the summer of 2020. But different as they are, both songs show how BTS became international superstars, breaking beyond the world of K-pop and conquering the planet. On this week’s episode, hosts Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos discuss “Dynamite” and “Spring Day,” and how they display different sides of BTS’ music. They’re joined by journalist Michelle Hyun Kim to break down the BTS phenomenon: how it began, how it grew, how it spread worldwide, and how these songs play different—but complementary—roles in the group’s story. 00:00 Introduction to the 500 Greatest Songs Podcast 00:15 BTS's Break