From their performance at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) to a rousing welcome upon their return to South Korea, BTS had a marvelous week.
BTS with Ellen DeGeneres (Photo courtesy of ‘The Ellen Show’ on Twitter)
The boys had the world TV premiere of their song “Fake Love” at the BBMAs, held May 20 (May 21 in Manila) in Las Vegas. They also won the Top Social Artist award for the second consecutive year.
At the awards show, they also got to meet and had photos with artists including Taylor Swift, The Chainsmokers, Pharrell Williams and John Legend.
Tyra Banks, who attended the BBMAs, had only praises for BTS.
“Last night my heart swelled up with pride every time the crowd at the @BBMAs yelled like crazy for @BTS_twt. It’s major for so MANY reasons. The world is celebrating 7 beautiful, sexy, talented, and fun-loving Asian men and their fierce, fine talent,” she posted on Twitter.
She also said she wanted to invite BTS to “America’s Got Talent,” writing, “I wonder if I can get them to perform on @AGT this season!? What do y’all think?! #BTSonAGT @BTS_twt.”
Upon their return to Seoul, they held a press conference on May 24 where they discussed their new album “Love Yourself: Tear,” their triumph at the BBMAs, and their plans.
About the Top Social Artist award, RM said, “We won the award for two years in a row, and the Top Social award might be an unfamiliar award name so we took our time to consider the meaning of the award and how we should take it.”
BTS with the Top Social Artist trophy at the BBMAs (Twitter)
“In conclusion, many fans tell us through letters and such that we changed their lives. These words mean a lot to us. It might also refer to social media but we think it also refers to how we relate to people,” he added.
“Love Yourself: Tear” sold one million copies in Korea on its first week since its release on May 18, setting a new record and eclipsing BTS’ previous record with the album “Love Yourself: Her.”
On May 25, BTS won their first Korean TV music show award with “Fake Love” on KBS “Music Bank.”
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” also aired the episode on May 25 (May 26 in Manila) where BTS became a guest and performed the song.
Meanwhile, the music video for “Fake Love” has reached 96.17 million views as of this writing since it was uploaded on May 18.
A YouTube spokesperson said the music video got 35.9 million views in the first 24 hours to become the third biggest 24-hour debut of all time and the biggest in 2018.
“The video received over 3.9 million likes on 3/18, setting a new record for most single day likes for a video in YouTube history,” the rep said.