Someone who worked in the radio industry once told me, “If you’re complaining about a song being overplayed on commercial radio, that’s when you know that a song is a success.” That happened when “Dynamite” by BTS came out in 2020 and was played repetitively on the radio for two years. Since it came out during the pandemic, it has become a massive success in Asia, Western countries, and other regions, like Europe and South America, thus solidifying the group’s success even further.
While many praised the song for its catchy tune, dance-ability, and ability to keep people’s spirits up when the world shut down, there is one reason “Dynamite” succeeded – it’s in English. So, with BTS finally ending their mandatory military duties and returning to the music industry, can 2025 finally be the year to acknowledge that, despite its success, “Dynamite” is not their best track? Because it’s not, and BTS is aware of this.
How “Dynamite” Became a Global Phenomenon
“Dynamite” is the first BTS song sung entirely in English. In an interview with Billboard, they made this decision because “there was no alternative” and that the move was made to “continue their international success” during the pandemic. What’s interesting about this is that, out of the seven members of BTS, only one (RM) can speak English fluently. In that same interview, Jin revealed that the English sung in this song is different from the English learned in class, thus showcasing the challenge the members face and what these talented men can do.
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This gamble was a success. Not only did it chart in many countries, it also broke many records. According to Guinness World Records, the music video became the “Most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours,” “Most viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours,” and many more. It has won many music awards outside of Korea, such as the MTV Europe Music Awards and iHeartRadio Music Awards. When compared to BTS’s other singles, like “Idol” and “Fake Love,” the achievements and international notoriety the song had can’t compare to what “Dynamite” achieved. Sure, it placed somewhere within the top 100, but “Dynamite” was in the Top 50 for some and the Top 10 in most countries.
BTS Admits They Never Really Liked “Dynamite”
In 2019, RM told Entertainment Weekly that the K-pop group doesn’t want to change its identity for the sake of success. If the group suddenly starts singing in full English, it’s “not BTS.” Five years later, after “Dynamite’s” release, fans learned more about how BTS felt about the song. Koreaboo reported that Jin spoke about “Dynamite” in the Netflix show Screwball, stating that it was a track that the group never favored. He also mentioned that the BTS members wanted an alternative song to release due to the canceled tour, but the other demos were worse than “Dynamite.” So, they released it, and the rest is history.
While some may think it’s luck that “Dynamite” became a success, this isn’t new. Foreign artists know that the song must be in English if they want to succeed more, especially in the U.S. One example was the song “Dragostea Din Tei” by O-Zone. The song was successful in many European countries, but it didn’t make it to the U.S. until it became a meme and an official English version came out. In an interview with The Today Show, O-Zone member Dan Balan stated that in order for a foreign song to get noticed in the U.S., it has to be in English. The same can be said for the song “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi. In an interview with Variety, the release of the Justin Bieber remix was necessary to “go to the English-language stations.” Meanwhile, Billboard reported that radio stations wouldn’t play the song, including the remix version, because it was flagged as “too Spanish for pop radio” and wanted something with more English.
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Plenty of BTS songs have become chart-toppers, generated multiple views on YouTube and accumulated large streaming numbers on Spotify and other music platforms. Additionally, many of their tracks discuss various themes of mental health, identity, fame, and love/heartbreak, topics that resonate with many. But rather than playing those songs, radio stations want to play it safe, hence why “Dynamite” worked. Not only did it bring joy and comfort to many during unprecedented times, it was a successful trump card used to face marketing challenges from the pandemic. This English song allowed radio stations to play a BTS track more often because many people, especially those not into K-pop, can understand it, thus attracting more listeners, and theoretically, more fans.
The Song That Transformed BTS Into Global Pop Icons
Despite not liking the song when it was still a demo and their thoughts and feelings about singing in English, it’s no secret that “Dynamite” was a very successful track. It gained international notoriety, became a LEGO set, and broke records. It also led to the release of two more English songs and tracks with more English lyrics. “Dynamite” changed the game, but it’s not the best track when comparing it to BTS’ previous works and the songs that have come out since. It’s currently unknown what the next album will be after their military duties, but expect to hear more English songs or more non-Korean lyrics. While that might not be everyone’s cup of tea, you can thank “Dynamite” for setting the trend.