BTS on becoming a global phenomenon: 'There are a lot of moments when we feel pressured'

Since debuting in 2013, BTS has been steadily working their way to the top.

But in recent years, largely aided by their English hit song "Dynamite," the South Korean group... well, lit up like dynamite.

As they're now an undeniable global phenomenon, BTS sat down with none other than Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and spoke about how they feel being at the center of it.

"When we look at ourselves, we really sometimes feel like we're kind of almost nothing," RM said. "We ask ourselves the question, oh these sound WAV files, can this change the world? Can this even be a little help to have some positive impact or energy to the world?"

"Sometimes, it feels really meaningless," he added.

However, RM said it's a different matter when they're with their fans and they see "their energy, their honesty."

"When it comes to the word global, I still don't know what that means, but when we had our stage at the stadiums, that really symbolized many things," RM said.

"We had our performance in front of 50,000, 60,000 people. That moment, we felt like now we are kind of something. And we should be a better man, a better band, a better team for these people right now in here. I think that's the moment that we all truly felt something," he added.

Martin seemed to understand, agreeing with RM's sentiments.

He said, "It's a funny thing, somehow the bigger you get, the more you realize you're just one little human. And then you realize that you're really just part of a big story, you're just one little part of a big communication. And it's a privilege, you know what I mean?"

RM replied, "It is a privilege."

Martin also asked the group how they feel about being appointed as Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture by South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

In their new capacity, members RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are to attend major international conferences such as the 76th UN General Assembly slated for September.

The group will offer messages of comfort and hope to young people around the world and participate in various activities to "promote international cooperation to solve global issues such as environment, poverty, inequality improvement, and respect for diversity."

SUGA said it was not what they set out to do when they first became singers, but after thinking about their impact and positive influence on people, "the answer was doing what we can do."

"Actually, there are a lot of moments when we feel pressured, because of the gap of who they think I am and who I really am," the rapper said. "They think I am a good person who can do a lot of things. I was troubled a lot because of that situation, but I try very hard to live up to their expectations."

"And so I think our team has made very bright and good music both in lyrics and in the message. So in that sense, I am making a lot of effort to live as a good person," he added.

In response, Martin told them that he believes it's "very important" that they were chosen for the role.

"Your voice as a band is very positive and very accepting of all people. Because you say that, and ARMY believes that, and that does influence politicians and people who make decisions, so to me, it's very cool that you're doing that," he said.

BTS gave inspiring speeches at the UN, first in 2018, and then again in 2020.

They have also been behind the ongoing campaign "Love Myself" with UNICEF, which aims to end "violence toward children and teens around the world,
with the hope of making the world a better place through music."

Their message is also reflected in their music, especially in their "Love Yourself" era, which had inspiring songs such as "Answer: Love Myself" and "Epiphany."

Most recently, they have been sending good vibes and messages of hope through their English tracks "Dynamite," "Butter," and "Permission to Dance." —JCB, GMA News