BTS Breaks Records: ‘Blood Sweat & Tears’ Hits 1 Billion YouTube Views, Establishing 8 MVs as the First in K-Pop History

On March 30, 2025, Chosun Biz announced a remarkable achievement for BTS: their iconic music video for “Blood Sweat & Tears”has officially exceeded 1 billion views on YouTube. This milestone solidifies BTS’s status as the first and only K-pop group to have eight music videos that have reached such a significant viewership.

Originally released on October 10, 2016, “Blood Sweat & Tears”is a standout track from BTS’s critically acclaimed second studio album, WINGS. By May 2019, the song had sold over 2.5 million copies and had achieved platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) by surpassing 250,000 CD sales.

Musically, “Blood Sweat & Tears”showcases an impressive fusion of genres, blending elements of moombahton, trap, and tropical house. This diverse sound reflects BTS’s artistic versatility and continuous evolution. The music video is equally celebrated for its complex choreography and visually striking aesthetics, drawing inspiration from Hermann Hesse’s novel Demian, published in 1919.

The music video delves into themes such as coming of age and the allure of temptation, crafting a narrative filled with illusions of wealth and materialism. Similarly, Hesse’s Demian explores the struggles of a young boy navigating the fine line between reality and fantasy.

List of BTS Music Videos Surpassing 1 Billion Views

The impressive list of BTS music videos that have crossed the 1 billion views mark includes:

  • DNA
  • Boy With Luv
  • Dynamite
  • MIC Drop (Steve Aoki Remix)
  • Fake Love
  • IDOL
  • Butter
  • Blood Sweat & Tears

BTS’s Chart-Topping Success and Accolades

BTS’s unprecedented success in the music industry reflects their immense talent and hard work. They made headlines in 2018 when they became the first Korean act to top the U.S. Billboard 200 with their album Love Yourself: Tear. Following this success, their subsequent albums—including Love Yourself: Answer, Map of the Soul: Persona, Map of the Soul: 7, and BE—also topped the charts.

Their English-language hit, “Dynamite,”debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a historic moment as BTS became the first Korean group to achieve this milestone. Their impressive discography includes multiple number-one singles, such as “Butter,””DNA,””Life Goes On,””Permission to Dance,”and “My Universe.”

By 2021, BTS had accumulated 23 Guinness World Records spanning achievements in both music and social media, notably including records for “Butter”pertaining to YouTube views and Spotify streams.

Since 2017, BTS has consistently won the Billboard Music Award for Top Social Artist, and in 2019, they claimed the Top Duo/Group award. Their influence expanded even further when they made history at the 2021 American Music Awards as the first Asian group to win Artist of the Year.

At the Grammy Awards, BTS made a significant impact with nominations for their singles “Dynamite,””Butter,”and “My Universe,”distinguishing themselves as the first Korean act to be honored with such nominations.

In recognition of their contributions to culture, BTS received the Order of Cultural Merit from the South Korean government in 2018. Their global influence grew in 2021 when they were appointed Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture.

BTS has also been trailblazers in social issues, becoming the first Korean act to speak at UNICEF and UNESCO events. Notably, in June 2022, they addressed anti-Asian hate and discrimination at the White House, highlighting the severity of the issue during a Press Briefing attended by around 100 journalists.

“We were devastated by the recent surge of hate crimes, including anti-Asian hate crimes. To put a stop to this and support the cause, we’d like to take this opportunity to voice ourselves once again,” said BTS member Jimin.

In June 2022, after releasing an anthology album, BTS announced a temporary break to focus on individual projects and fulfill their military service obligations. Currently, members Namjoon, SUGA, Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook are enlisted, with plans to return by June 2025. J-Hope was discharged on October 17, 2024, and is currently on his first solo tour titled “Hope on the Stage.”Jin completed his service earlier on June 12, 2024.

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