K-pop boy band BTS named among Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People

BTS’ global appeal has reached new heights. The Korean seven-member band is named among Time magazine’s annual list of 100 Most Influential People of 2019, joining a host of key figures that the magazine has honoured as pioneers, artists, leaders, titans and icons.

BTS features in the “artists” category, alongside actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke, Captain Marvel actress Brie Larson, singer Ariana Grande and Clare Waight Keller, Givenchy’s artistic director, among others. The list of 100 also includes United States president Donald Trump, speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, golf star Tiger Woods, Golden Globe-winning actress Sandra Oh, and former US first lady Michelle Obama.

As per the norm, each entry carries a tribute written by another acclaimed personality – a friend, fan or peer. Hillary Clinton wrote Pelosi’s, while Leonardo DiCaprio wrote one for primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall. Obama’s was penned by none other than Beyoncé.

BTS’ tribute was written by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Halsey, who collaborated with them on their new track Boy With Luv, from their latest album “Map of the Soul: Persona”.

“How exactly does one accomplish world domination?” she asks in her opening line. She goes on to praise the young singers for their “remarkable talent, charm, kindness, altruism and dedication”, and also shouts out to their devoted fan base, affectionately called BTS Army.

“For BTS, world domination is just another 8-count in the contemporary dance of life,” writes Halsey. “But if you think that’s easy, you haven’t seen the love and effort these young men put into each and every step.”

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