How BTS ruled the world in 2020, bringing light during dark times, and showing the critics what a boy band could do to make a difference

The K-pop superstars continued their upward trajectory in 2020, defying their critics and thrilling their fans

With hit albums, collaborations, online performances and their Grammy nomination, BTS went from boy band to global movement

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BTS have had a huge 2020, lifting people’s spirits during this difficult year. The K-pop stars recently appeared on The Late Show With James Corden. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 10:15pm, 29 Dec 2020Updated: 1:34pm, 30 Dec 2020

For many people, this year was full of darkness. But BTS handed us purple-tinted glasses to wear over our masks, providing some much needed light to humanity.

On the music front, BTS were there for each and every one of us when we needed it. With their joint album releases – “Map of the Soul: 7” (and its Japanese counterpart, “The Journey”) and “BE” – and their stand-alone hit single Dynamite, along with over half a dozen individual projects and multiple collaborations, BTS spent much of the year providing a soundtrack for listeners, offering a source of solace to the world.

The Map of the Soul series, which started in 2019, is a celebration and reflection of BTS and their path thus far.

“Map of the Soul: 7” arrived in February before Covid-19’s impact was felt across the world, giving us all something beautiful to hold onto.

The bright, exuberance of celebrating the first seven years of their career together reflected the hopes of so many for the start of a new decade, and the year fittingly closed with Dynamite getting recognised by the Grammys, with the Academy nominating it as one of the best performances this year from a pop group or duo.

Even though that bright kick-off of the 2020s has been marred by the pandemic and the group cancelling their planned global tour – though they made up for it with numerous online performances and a concert – BTS have helped reduce the impact of the virus.