According to the management company Big Hit Music, the MV "Idol" officially surpassed 1.4 billion views on YouTube.
With this achievement, "Idol" became BTS's 5th MV to reach the above milestone, after "Dynamite", "Boy With Luv" featuring Halsey, "DNA" and "MIC Drop" remix version by Steve Aoki.
The MV "Idol" was released at 6 pm on August 24, 2018. Thus, the product needs more than 7 years and 11 months to reach 1.4 billion views.
Idol" is the title track in the re-release album "Love Yourself: Answer". The song marks the period BTS strongly expanded their influence in the international market, while clearly expressing the message of accepting and being proud of themselves.
The product combines electronic music, pop and many elements that evoke Korean traditional culture. In the MV, the group uses bright colors, stylized images and details such as traditional architecture, hanbok costumes and tiger images.
The message "You can call me an artist or idol, I don't care" in the song is seen as BTS's response to prejudices surrounding the title "idol". The group affirms their identity, art choices and position instead of chasing after recognition from outside.
As soon as it was released, the MV attracted 45.9 million views in the first 24 hours, setting a record for the most viewed MV on YouTube in a day at that time. The product only took about 5 days to surpass 100 million views and reach 1 billion views in 2022.
In addition to the main version, BTS also released the "Idol" version featuring rapper Nicki Minaj. The MV for this remix was posted privately and currently also attracts hundreds of millions of views.
Previously, information that BTS did not submit products to compete for the Grammy award caused a stir.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said he was sad but respected BTS's decision not to submit a product to compete for the 2027 Grammy Awards.
I am very sad to know that BTS chose not to participate in this year's Grammy process. However, as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision," the CEO of Recording Academy shared with international media.
BTS has been nominated for Grammys many times but has not won. The group's initiative to stay out of the 2027 season is considered a noteworthy move, while also heating up the debate about how Western music awards recognize artists from outside the European and American markets.
