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The @BTS_twt / @bts_bighit online global media day starts in a few minutes. I'll be live-tweeting this press-only event in this thread. Follow along for updates!
The event has started. The boys are sitting down with DYNAMITE in big letters behind them on a black wall.
The members will each comment about reaching No. 1 and then there will be media questions.
Press photos will be sent out before the end of the conference.
Press photos will be sent out before the end of the conference.
Each of the members have thanked the press for attending.
Hobi: I'll begin. To be honest, BTS reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100, we never imagined it. It still feels like a dream. I don't know if this is reality. I'm still shaking, I'm still excited.
Hobi: I'll begin. To be honest, BTS reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100, we never imagined it. It still feels like a dream. I don't know if this is reality. I'm still shaking, I'm still excited.
Hobi:
We started this because we love music, because we love dancing. I'm very happy and excited that our sincerity was able to reach out and resonate with no many people. I think it's such an honor, both for us and the fans.
We started this because we love music, because we love dancing. I'm very happy and excited that our sincerity was able to reach out and resonate with no many people. I think it's such an honor, both for us and the fans.
Hobi:
[It was] the encouragement and the energy that we received from our fans that drove us, that allowed us to keep going. And I think that is what allowed today's BTS to become who we are and for J-Hope to become who I am.
[It was] the encouragement and the energy that we received from our fans that drove us, that allowed us to keep going. And I think that is what allowed today's BTS to become who we are and for J-Hope to become who I am.
Hobi:
So we would like to thank all the fans for this honor.
So we would like to thank all the fans for this honor.
Jimin:
Yesterday we were so happy, so thrilled, I think we calmed down a little bit because we were just going berserk because we were so happy. Now I think we sort of calmed down a little bit. This is something we never really imagined would happen.
Yesterday we were so happy, so thrilled, I think we calmed down a little bit because we were just going berserk because we were so happy. Now I think we sort of calmed down a little bit. This is something we never really imagined would happen.
Jimin:
We felt that it was something we would like to do, something that we wanted to, and look forward to. It's something that the fans were also looking forward to just as we were. This is something that I think we wanted to experience at least once.
We felt that it was something we would like to do, something that we wanted to, and look forward to. It's something that the fans were also looking forward to just as we were. This is something that I think we wanted to experience at least once.
Jimin:
Now that we are here, it still doesn't feel like reality. We were so happy and I really wasn't sure what I need to think, how I need to feel. I think just the thought of all the other members. I was really thankful to the members who have been—we were all beside...
Now that we are here, it still doesn't feel like reality. We were so happy and I really wasn't sure what I need to think, how I need to feel. I think just the thought of all the other members. I was really thankful to the members who have been—we were all beside...
Jimin:
...each other for this entire process. We're so thankful to the fans. We're thankful to Bang PD, to all our BigHit staff and our family. I think we're just really thankful.
...each other for this entire process. We're so thankful to the fans. We're thankful to Bang PD, to all our BigHit staff and our family. I think we're just really thankful.
Jimin:
The only thing I can really say at this point is thank you, and we will try to repay all the love that you've shown us.
The only thing I can really say at this point is thank you, and we will try to repay all the love that you've shown us.
Namjoon:
I never thought we would have this type of conference, even say these kinds of things. I was waiting all night. I was the first to receive this news. We had a lot of other things happening that day. We had some practice.
I never thought we would have this type of conference, even say these kinds of things. I was waiting all night. I was the first to receive this news. We had a lot of other things happening that day. We had some practice.
Namjoon:
So when we have these things, I can't really sleep. So, I thought, now that I've checked this, now that I know this, I should go to sleep. It was kind of—I can't remember the saying right now, but there's a Korean saying...
So when we have these things, I can't really sleep. So, I thought, now that I've checked this, now that I know this, I should go to sleep. It was kind of—I can't remember the saying right now, but there's a Korean saying...
Namjoon:
...when you're shocked after seeing the lid of a cauldron, you're shocked when you see a turtle, or something like that. I just went to sleep, because I thought, I wanted to, I didn't want to over-excite myself.
...when you're shocked after seeing the lid of a cauldron, you're shocked when you see a turtle, or something like that. I just went to sleep, because I thought, I wanted to, I didn't want to over-excite myself.
Namjoon:
I thought a lot about our past, eating together or being scolded together in the practice studio [he smiles here]. Being in the recording studio, talking to each other. I wanted to preserve my emotions.
I thought a lot about our past, eating together or being scolded together in the practice studio [he smiles here]. Being in the recording studio, talking to each other. I wanted to preserve my emotions.
Namjoon:
I think my contribution to this accomplishment is very small. It's really the ARMY, the other members here, all our staff, the songwriters, members of the press, I think this was an achievement made possible by all of these contributions.
I think my contribution to this accomplishment is very small. It's really the ARMY, the other members here, all our staff, the songwriters, members of the press, I think this was an achievement made possible by all of these contributions.
JK:
I heard the news a little bit later when I checked the news—learned that we had reached the top of the chart. I wasn't sure if this webpage I was looking at was real. I think I was just out of it for a little bit.
I heard the news a little bit later when I checked the news—learned that we had reached the top of the chart. I wasn't sure if this webpage I was looking at was real. I think I was just out of it for a little bit.
JK:
It's really our ARMY who has helped us reach this milestone and make this achievement. I want to say thank to all of our ARMY and also to the other members. I am so thankful that I was able to meet these great people, this great company, this great staff, and ARMY.
It's really our ARMY who has helped us reach this milestone and make this achievement. I want to say thank to all of our ARMY and also to the other members. I am so thankful that I was able to meet these great people, this great company, this great staff, and ARMY.
JK:
All of these good things, positive vibes, came together and enabled this achievement to become a reality. I'm so thankful to all the other members and I feel like this, how should I say, being able to be part of such a milestone, is a great honor for me...
All of these good things, positive vibes, came together and enabled this achievement to become a reality. I'm so thankful to all the other members and I feel like this, how should I say, being able to be part of such a milestone, is a great honor for me...
JK:
...and in my entire lifetime. It was actually my birthday yesterday, a couple days ago. It felt like a really huge bday present. I'm glad I was born and I want to say thank you once again to my mom and dad and to also ARMY. Love you so much.
...and in my entire lifetime. It was actually my birthday yesterday, a couple days ago. It felt like a really huge bday present. I'm glad I was born and I want to say thank you once again to my mom and dad and to also ARMY. Love you so much.
Jin:
When I saw the news, we have our chatroom, Namjoon, RM posted a picture about 10-20 minutes before the wide release. And Namjoon said this is a doctored picture, this is a fake picture. And 10-20 minutes [later], he posted the same picture once again...
When I saw the news, we have our chatroom, Namjoon, RM posted a picture about 10-20 minutes before the wide release. And Namjoon said this is a doctored picture, this is a fake picture. And 10-20 minutes [later], he posted the same picture once again...
Jin:
...I thought this is real. I realized that this is a real screenshot, this was real. And I went onto Weverse and I kept writing a message. I kept erasing it. I was thinking about how I can express these feelings to my fans.
...I thought this is real. I realized that this is a real screenshot, this was real. And I went onto Weverse and I kept writing a message. I kept erasing it. I was thinking about how I can express these feelings to my fans.
Jin:
The only thing that I can say is BTS and with ARMY, this is something that we achieved together. And that's what I wrote for us and to our fans.
The only thing that I can say is BTS and with ARMY, this is something that we achieved together. And that's what I wrote for us and to our fans.
Jin:
This is a song that we made because we wanted to enjoy it together with our fans and the fact that we were able to achieve this really made us happy. This is really all thanks to our fans. Thank you so much.
This is a song that we made because we wanted to enjoy it together with our fans and the fact that we were able to achieve this really made us happy. This is really all thanks to our fans. Thank you so much.
Yoongi:
I'm still having a hard time grasping that this is real. We talked a lot about our goals, and we often said No. 1 on the Hot 100. It was something we would like to have. It became a goal. It's not like we worked hard and stroke to reach this goal, but it feels like...
I'm still having a hard time grasping that this is real. We talked a lot about our goals, and we often said No. 1 on the Hot 100. It was something we would like to have. It became a goal. It's not like we worked hard and stroke to reach this goal, but it feels like...
Yoongi:
...a dream that we have reached this goal. And the fact that we have accomplished this. There was this surge of thrill and excitement that we have reached this goal. When we learned this news, I actually pinched myself to see if this was real.
...a dream that we have reached this goal. And the fact that we have accomplished this. There was this surge of thrill and excitement that we have reached this goal. When we learned this news, I actually pinched myself to see if this was real.
Yoongi:
It was really great for me I think. The Billboard charts [are] something that was really familiar to me. I listened to the songs on the charts from when I was very little, so I have to thank all of our ARMY, our fans, that made all of this possible.
It was really great for me I think. The Billboard charts [are] something that was really familiar to me. I listened to the songs on the charts from when I was very little, so I have to thank all of our ARMY, our fans, that made all of this possible.
Tae:
Now BTS, I think, I didn't think that BTS would be in such spotlight, such limelight, by the global audience. We came to Seoul together all from the provinces with nothing.
Now BTS, I think, I didn't think that BTS would be in such spotlight, such limelight, by the global audience. We came to Seoul together all from the provinces with nothing.
Tae:
We had a very small practice studio in a basement. It was just the 7 of us, practicing together, working together, and these memories are very fresh in my mind.
We had a very small practice studio in a basement. It was just the 7 of us, practicing together, working together, and these memories are very fresh in my mind.
Tae:
When I came up to Seoul from the provinces, I don't know why this stayed with me so much. But it was me and my dad, we took a cab, we were actually cheated by the taxi driver. It was a tunnel. We were at the station. We had to go to [name of station]. And we went through...
When I came up to Seoul from the provinces, I don't know why this stayed with me so much. But it was me and my dad, we took a cab, we were actually cheated by the taxi driver. It was a tunnel. We were at the station. We had to go to [name of station]. And we went through...
Tae:
...three tunnels. I didn't realize that we had to go through three tunnels to reach this. So these are the memories that still stayed with me about when we were starting out.
...three tunnels. I didn't realize that we had to go through three tunnels to reach this. So these are the memories that still stayed with me about when we were starting out.
Tae:
And comparing these memories and this achievement now, I didn't realize when my dad said ah, things like that happen. I was angry. But now I feel like these are the kinds of things that happen.
And comparing these memories and this achievement now, I didn't realize when my dad said ah, things like that happen. I was angry. But now I feel like these are the kinds of things that happen.
Tae:
By being able to say that, these have become cherished memories, and fun memories, and all of the difficulties that we had to go through, practicing as trainees, practicing, training, all of these are now pleasant memories and sweet memories.
By being able to say that, these have become cherished memories, and fun memories, and all of the difficulties that we had to go through, practicing as trainees, practicing, training, all of these are now pleasant memories and sweet memories.
Tae:
That really amplifies the joy that I have now and I feel like I have received some kind of award or certificate, and it makes me really happy.
That really amplifies the joy that I have now and I feel like I have received some kind of award or certificate, and it makes me really happy.
Tae:
Today I think I'm going to set down any worries, concerns. I just want to be happy. I just want to cheer for us, and I hope that everyone can smile and laugh just for today, even if just for today.
[the other boys are smiling and laughing]
Today I think I'm going to set down any worries, concerns. I just want to be happy. I just want to cheer for us, and I hope that everyone can smile and laugh just for today, even if just for today.
[the other boys are smiling and laughing]
Sorry if I'm slow! This is hard!
Q: Would you share with us what you felt like when you first made it onto the Billboard chart? It was Dec of 2015 and you made it onto the main album chart, which is the Billboard 200. And you made onto Number 171, for HYYH: Pt 2. It was 5 years ago. It's probably seared...
...into your mind. What did it feel like? How does it compare to today?
Hobi:
I think we were much more exited back then . . . Seeing our name on the Billboard chart was very shocking and we were really in awe of that.
I think we were much more exited back then . . . Seeing our name on the Billboard chart was very shocking and we were really in awe of that.
JK:
I think I was the same as J-Hope. It wasn't possible, literally impossible for us to achieve that kind of feat. We couldn't believe if this was real or if it's a dream. That's what we felt back then.
I think I was the same as J-Hope. It wasn't possible, literally impossible for us to achieve that kind of feat. We couldn't believe if this was real or if it's a dream. That's what we felt back then.
JK:
Since we had that result, we wanted to reach for even more heights, and that's where we got even more driven and we were able to reach higher.
Since we had that result, we wanted to reach for even more heights, and that's where we got even more driven and we were able to reach higher.
Q: There's a saying that Suga's dream always comes true. Now we would like to know what your next goal is.
Yoongi:
Actually, all of our goals that I mentioned becoming reality makes me very happy and feel a great sense of accomplishment. I also feel, I think I need to be careful about what I say when it comes to goals.
Actually, all of our goals that I mentioned becoming reality makes me very happy and feel a great sense of accomplishment. I also feel, I think I need to be careful about what I say when it comes to goals.
Yoongi:
I'm very happy we achieved this great feat with Dynamite and now I start to think about what our next goal should be. With this song, our new song Dynamite, it's not that we released it to make it onto the Hot 100 chart...
I'm very happy we achieved this great feat with Dynamite and now I start to think about what our next goal should be. With this song, our new song Dynamite, it's not that we released it to make it onto the Hot 100 chart...
Yoongi:
...but we simply put it out to give more energy to people around the world. I'm very happy that so many people listened to this and became energized. And that fact makes me much happier than topping [the chart.]
...but we simply put it out to give more energy to people around the world. I'm very happy that so many people listened to this and became energized. And that fact makes me much happier than topping [the chart.]
Yoongi:
I do have to mention our new goal. I feel a bit pressured right now. This is a lot of pressure for me. We went to the GRAMMYs at the beginning of the year and we did a collaboration performance.
I do have to mention our new goal. I feel a bit pressured right now. This is a lot of pressure for me. We went to the GRAMMYs at the beginning of the year and we did a collaboration performance.
Yoongi:
Now, I would like to do a single performance just BTS on the GRAMMY awards stage. It would be great to receive an award but that's not going to become a reality just because we want it. We need a lot of help from a lot of people.
Now, I would like to do a single performance just BTS on the GRAMMY awards stage. It would be great to receive an award but that's not going to become a reality just because we want it. We need a lot of help from a lot of people.
Yoongi:
For now, just getting to perform on the GRAMMY award stage is our goal.
For now, just getting to perform on the GRAMMY award stage is our goal.
Media questions are starting now.
Tae is now reading a message from a member of the media congratulating them. I'm trying to catch up so going to skip typing this out.
The other members are reading out other messages. They are all congratulatory and thanking the group for their work.
Ok, next up are media questions.
[Paraphrasing]
Q: What have you talked about with one another after achieving such an ambitious dream?
Q: I was impressed by Jimin's posting on social media saying, "I can't stop weeping." . . . I'd like to learn more about the meaning behind the tears.
Q: What have you talked about with one another after achieving such an ambitious dream?
Q: I was impressed by Jimin's posting on social media saying, "I can't stop weeping." . . . I'd like to learn more about the meaning behind the tears.
Welp, looks like I lost access. I was pausing the press conference to make sure I quoted the guys correctly, and then it cut out. Sorry everyone!
