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Over the past 13 years, BTS has evolved from an underdog South Korean ensemble into an undeniable global phenomenon. Having cemented their status as music industry titans, the group now finds themselves in discussions typically reserved for the world’s elite—ranging from potential Super Bowl halftime performances to charting milestones alongside heavyweights like Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars. They addressed these elevated expectations and their current standing in an expansive new Rolling Stone cover story.
In the feature, released Monday (April 13), the septet shared a nuanced perspective on taking the stage at the world’s most-watched sporting event. While the Super Bowl offers a reach of over a hundred million viewers, the group is mindful of the cultural climate; they acknowledged the criticism directed at Bad Bunny’s historic Spanish-language set this year, suggesting that their own status as Korean-language performers might invite similar scrutiny.
“Perhaps as time progresses and public sentiment evolves, the door will open,” RM remarked. “The global embrace of films like Parasite highlights the growing appetite for Korean culture. If the opportunity arises, it is certainly something we would aspire to do.”
Jimin added a pragmatic note, stating, “Participation is contingent upon an invitation,” while Jin shared that he has already begun mentally conceptualizing what a distinctively BTS-branded halftime spectacle might entail.
This candid conversation arrives as the group celebrates a third consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with their latest studio effort, ARIRANG—their first full-length project in six years. With the lead single “SWIM” simultaneously dominating the Billboard Hot 100, the septet has firmly established their league as peers to icons like Swift, Mars, and Harry Styles.
When pressed on how he reconciles these Western superstars as “competitors,” RM remained characteristically modest. “They represent a level of artistry we deeply admire,” he said. “We are still, at our core, just a boy band from Korea.”
Elsewhere in the interview, SUGA reflected on his past tendencies to be fiercely competitive, noting a shift toward a more balanced mindset. “In our relentless pursuit of our goals, we often neglected our physical and mental well-being,” he admitted. “As we mature, we’ve learned to prioritize our joy. We’re at a point now where we can finally just enjoy the process.”
