While the news has elicited sadness, especially perhaps from newer fans of the globally popular group, it has also been met with understanding and support from most members of the diverse fandom. And as we all wait for the next chapter in BTS history to begin, there is an expansive backlog of BTS content to watch or rewatch. While much of BTS’ content is, of course, music videos and performances, the Korean band has also produced a plethora of additional content in the form of web series, TV shows, and DVD boxsets. If you’re looking for something to binge while processing the transition news, here is you guide to reliving the adventures of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook so far…
Rookie King (2013)
How many episodes: 8Where to watch: Viki BTS debuted in 2013, and Rookie King was their first proper series. The variety show format is super popular in Korea, and many of BTS’ series use it. Rookie King is a variety show that features the members attempting different Korean TV program formats. In the show, BTS takes on different roles, including news anchors, bowlers, and basketball players. Early variety show BTS is truly a place where anything can happen. Rookie King would also give us our first proper example of BTS taking on cooking challenges, which continues to be a running (and hilarious) theme in BTS’ variety show presence today. This BTS reality show that sees the members traveling to L.A. for two weeks to learn from “hip-hop tutors” like Coolio and Warren G can be tough to watch, as the series is nowhere near prepared to fully engage with K-pop’s history (and present) of cultural appropriation. That being said, sometimes discomfort is something to lean into, and the series can be a good jumping off point for non-Black BTS fans in particular to engage with the topic of K-pop cultural appropriation and also to see how far BTS has come since their debut. I recommend watching American Hustle Life in conjunction with analysis and insight from Black BTS fans, such as journalist Stitch of Stitch’s Media Mix, who has written extensively not only about BTS, but also about cultural appropriation in the age of K-pop.
GO! BTS (2014)
How many episodes: 1 It’s a bit of a stretch to call this one a series, as there is only one episode, but if you’re looking for more content from BTS’ early years, then Go! BTS is a good option. The 45-minute episode follows BTS on their trip to L.A. for KCON 2014. In addition to including some performance footage, the special gives us some of that variety program energy by sending the members on three missions around Laguna Beach.
BTS Summer & Winter Packages (2015-2020)
How many seasons: 6 While the terms “Summer Package” and “Winter Package” refer to entire content bundles, including photobooks and other kinds of merch, every package edition since 2015 has also included a “Making of” DVD that features the members of BTS on photos shoots in different locations around the world. The “Summer Packages” with behind-the-scenes featurettes have been shot in Malaysia, Dubai, the Philippines, Saipan, and Korea, while the 2020 “Winter Package” was shot in a very rainy Finland. If you like BTS Bon Voyage, but have already watched all of the season, then you should definitely check these out.
BTS Gayo (2015-2017)
How many episodes: 15Where to watch: VLive BTS Gayo is another BTS variety show, in which the members play games that are specifically related to K-pop. For example, in the first episode, they have to guess iconic K-pop girl group songs based solely on dance clues from other members. BTS hasn’t released an episode of Gayo in a while, probably because the wider umbrella of Run BTS (see the next entry on the list) covers the sorts of K-pop-centric challenges BTS Gayo centers.
Run BTS! (2015-today)
How many episodes: 154 Where to watch: VLive The ultimate BTS variety show, Run BTS has been, um, running since 2015. The show features the members competing in a variety of games, from zombie escape room challenges to foot volleyball to your classic game of mafia. If they win, they get a reward. If they lose, they get a punishment. Variety show games like this are only as effective as the degree to which the competitors take them seriously, and let me tell you: BTS is all in. These global pop stars may be millionaires, but they will throw down for a coupon like their lives depend on it. Early episodes of Run BTS include the members visiting many an amusement park, while later episodes have gotten both more contained and creative in the challenges. Rest assured, there is something here for everyone—just beware the spies and plot twists. Run BTS went on hiatus at the end of last year, after six years and more than 154 episodes, but it is set to return during BTS’ hiatus. While it presumably will not have the same episode-a-week schedule as previous seasons, there will be new episodes! For every year since 2015, BTS has released a “BTS Memories” DVD boxset that is an expansive behind-the-scenes chronicle of all of their activities from the year. If you’re a fan of BTS’ “Bangtan Bomb” series, which gives fans behind-the-scenes snippets from the members’ schedules, then you will love “BTS Memories.” “BTS Memories,” editions 2019 and 2020 are still available to purchase as DVDs via the Weverse shop, but you will have to get creative for previous years’ content.
Bon Voyage (2016-today)
How many episodes: 32 episodes, across 4 seasonsWhere to watch: VLive (Seasons 1-3), Weverse* (Season 4) Bon Voyage is a travel reality show that follows BTS on various trips around the world, including northern Europe in Season 1, Hawaii in Season 2, Malta in Season 3, and New Zealand in Season 4. It’s interesting to see the members out and about in the world, having fun together and on a relative break. (This is still work, but they are not actively promoting or touring.) Over the course of Bon Voyage‘s four seasons, you will see many a camper van adventure; many a games of rock, paper, scissors; and realize just how central Yoongi is to keeping these members fed when they are left on their own. *For Weverse streaming content, purchase via the “media” section in the Weverse Shop app, then watch via Weverse via the app or online
Burn the Stage (2018)
How many episodes: 8Where to watch: YouTube Premium
Bring the Soul (2019)
How many episodes: 6Where to watch: Weverse Similar to Burn the Stage, Bring the Soul is another glimpse into what BTS’ tour life is like. This six-part series follows the seven members of BTS during the Love Yourself World Tour, through the end of the tour’s third, European leg, which concluded in October 2019. It was also released in a more condensed movie format in Bring the Soul: The Movie.
Golden Closet Films (2019)
How many episodes: 7Where to watch: YouTube, via the BangtanTV channel Anyone who has ever seen a BTS performance knows how talented Jungkook is as a vocalist and dancer, but the golden maknae of BTS is also interested in filmmaking. Prior to directing the “Life Goes On” BTS music video in 2020, Jungkook released a series of short films in 2019 under the name Golden Closet Films, or G.C.F. The 20-something shot and edited each of the travelogues himself, giving his unique perspective into the life of BTS on the road.
BT21 (2019-today)
How many episodes: 8 main story shorts, plus many additional mini-storiesWhere to watch: YouTube
Break the Silence (2020)
How many episodes: 7Where to watch: Weverse You didn’t think BTS was going to leave you hanging on the final leg of their Love Yourself World Tour, did you? The Break the Silence docu-series picks up where Bring the Soul leaves off, bringing fans on the final, Asian leg of the Love Yourself World Tour and into the Love Yourself: Speak Yourself extension of the tour, which extended the tour through October 2019. As you may have guessed, there is also a movie format version of Break the Silence.
In the Soop (2020-present)
How many episodes: 11 episodes, across two seasons Where to watch: Weverse BTS gave us many gifts during the COVID-19 pandemic, but In the Soop may be the greatest. The series follows the seven members as they take a “break” from their work schedules to pursue hobbies, hang out, and watch Jin kill fish. Unlike BTS’ variety series, In the Soop has a much looser structure, allowing the members to relax a bit more. Each member made a list of activities they would like to try out while in the titular “soop” (“forest,” in Korean), but there is no reward or punishment for completing or not. Instead, the members can choose to spend their time as they wish, whether that be building Lego or racing remote control boats. (If you like In the Soop, don’t forget to check out shorter behind-the-scenes episodes, also available to watch via Weverse.) In the Soop returned for a second, shorter season in 2021. Given that BTS will be producing episodes of Run BTS during their hiatus, it is possible they could produce another season of this popular show. At the very least, we will be getting an In the Soop “spin-off” season this summer, featuring V hanging out with his famous friend group, nicknamed the “Wooga squad,” which includes actors Choi Woo-shik, Park Seo-joon, Park Hyung-sik and musician Peakboy. While this fan-made docu-series isn’t made by BTS or HYBE, it has earned a spot on this list as one of the most comprehensive, well-made introductions to the first few years of BTS’ journey as a group. Made by professional editor and longtime ARMY Aneesa, The Rise of Bangtan follows Bangtan from their debut to (currently) the beginning of the “Love Yourself: Answer” era. With the series set to wrap up with “Chapter 23,” it is the perfect time to dive into this chronicle of what makes BTS special, if you haven’t yet already. What is your favorite BTS series? Let us know in the comments below.
