Beyond The Story: 10-Year Record of BTS in Reading with Namjoon

Sep 26, 2023 E L K Y rated it it was amazing

Shelves: music, biographies, korean-literature, bts-inspired, namjoon-challenge

There are always so many silly articles on how can something become a phenomenon. My argument there has always been that that is not who BTS are, because there is so much hard work behind them while phenomenons come to sudden and soaring fame - BTS earned every single bit of it and reading this book to peak behind the curtain of what boys and the company are willing to share with us has been a wonderful read.

It's a great book for fans because it's easy to connect the stories to special moments ...more

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Jul 20, 2023 Merry rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star-review, favorite-books-of-all-time

Beyond the Story was written to commemorate the 10th anniversary of BTS's debut. The book tells how the group was put together starting with what turned out to be the Rap Line, Kim Namjoon (RM), Min Yoongi (SUGA), and Jung Hoseok (j-hope). The Vocal Line featuring Kim Seokjin (Jin), Jeon Jungkook (Jungkook), Kim Taehyung (V), and Park Jimin (Jimin) completed the group. Each member reflected back on how far they had come from their beginning. They shared their feelings about their successes as we Beyond the Story was written to commemorate the 10th anniversary of BTS's debut. The book tells how the group was put together starting with what turned out to be the Rap Line, Kim Namjoon (RM), Min Yoongi (SUGA), and Jung Hoseok (j-hope). The Vocal Line featuring Kim Seokjin (Jin), Jeon Jungkook (Jungkook), Kim Taehyung (V), and Park Jimin (Jimin) completed the group. Each member reflected back on how far they had come from their beginning. They shared their feelings about their successes as well as their failures. The book includes many color photos from their album releases, tracklists from their albums, and well as 330 QR codes to blog posts, videos, and audios which reflect back to what is covered on the pages. BTS has been uploading digital content since before their debut. They have an abundance of content covering their entire journey.

As a huge fan of BTS, I loved this book. They have shared their everyday lives, dance practices, preparations for award shows and speaking at the UN (twice!),vacations, etc. I know of no other group who has brought the fans with them in this way while they work and play. Since they came from a small company, that at one time close to their debut was on the verge of bankruptcy, they had to find inexpensive ways to promote themselves. BTS used the Internet to grow their fans (known as ARMY) organically by posting a variety of content. They attribute much of their success to their fans and never fail to thank them for their support (the book was published on the 10th anniversary of naming their fan base ARMY). It would have been so easy for the egos of such talented people to alter the group's goals, but each one will tell you that they put the group before themselves. They see each other as a brother and love each other as family. When someone asks me why I love this group, I tell them I came for the music, but I stayed for the people. They are wonderful men. The book is an excellent memoir of BTS. I look forward to what they show us next in the years to come. ...more

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Dec 29, 2023 Roisin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: autobiography, 2023-reading-list

The book concisely records BTS's first ten years, with fascinating personal reflections by the members on their growth. We get their recounting of their music-making process and whirlwind experience of skyrocketing to global superstardom. There are also the writer's notes on the music industry both Korean and Global which can be interesting for any new fans or person interested.
I enjoyed reading about their perspectives and getting slightly deeper into the process of the group's work and philoso The book concisely records BTS's first ten years, with fascinating personal reflections by the members on their growth. We get their recounting of their music-making process and whirlwind experience of skyrocketing to global superstardom. There are also the writer's notes on the music industry both Korean and Global which can be interesting for any new fans or person interested.
I enjoyed reading about their perspectives and getting slightly deeper into the process of the group's work and philosophy. It's special when you hear the direct voice of a person, though a lot of what was said has also come up elsewhere, just not in such a cohesive record.
The book doesn't touch on personal matters, gossip, or anything scandalous or salacious (probably because they didn't have time for any of that but I digress)which prevents the book from being a low-brow vulgar read scavenged for viral gossip headlines. Instead, it's a purely focused and professional, rather serious record of the group's ethos as global artists. At times, it's as simple as capturing the awe of seven ordinary men who just liked music but ended up creating a massive musical movement worldwide. There are also plenty of sugary notes for the beloved ARMY as BTS gush over their loyal fanbase and confess the mutual devotion between the two.
I think this can be a helpful guide for anyone who wants to learn about BTS's official history in chronological order. The book doesn't go into the complex details of the process of making each song or album, which makes this book a very easy-to-understand material for casual readers; no musical knowledge necessary. But as someone drenched in their history and personally familiar with the intimate and candid way they communicate with their fanbase, the book didn't offer extra and totally unknown information to me. It just added clearer context and extended details to what I knew.
I really enjoyed reading this, nonetheless. It brings up such interesting points, like what could you want when your reality far surpasses your wildest ambitions and dreams? And how will you go on if you still have to go on and there's much at stake as so many people just hang on for your next move? It's an unimaginable pressure for an ordinary person like me and it was so fascinating to read how these peers of mine dealt with it. ...more

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Sep 03, 2023 Danielle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, 2023

"maybe I made a mistake yesterday, but yesterday's me is still me. Today, I am who I am with all of my faults and my mistakes. Tomorrow, I might be a tiny bit wiser, and that'll be me too. These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life. I have come to love myself for who I am, for who I was, and for who I hope to become" - namjoon.

sempre grata por um dia ter encontrado eles, por hoje tê-los e por poder compartilhar esses momentos com amigas ...more

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Jul 18, 2023 Toni rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook-read

Great book for fans about the FORMATION of BTS. Very little private information is shared about each member but you get insights into their ideas and feelings regarding songs, processes of the industry and dance.

I think this book is too short & didn't cover alot of the concurrent projects they had going on at the time - otherwise, this book couldn't have been produced or sold so fast.

The best is yet to come no doubt - along with the gossip, rumors, and more on bts (behind the scenes), no doubt. ...more

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Dec 05, 2023 mana rated it really liked it · review of another edition

a book that shows is the struggles of the members. were we see where they came from and their progress. ngl it wasn’t an easy book bc there is so much information. so many names. so many things going on at the same time. but what a ride!

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