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The BTS Universe or Bangtan Universe (often shortened to BU) was initially know as "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life series", "Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa series" or "HYYH series" until the official name and logo were first used in 2017, is a South Korean media franchise and shared fictional universe that is centered on a series of music videos and short films, independently produced by Big Hit Entertainment and based on characters inspired by the members of BTS. The franchise has expanded to include short stories, books and a webtoon. In the future is planned to release a drama and a game of the franchise.
Development
On April 29, 2015, BTS began their second era with a mini album and "I Need U" serving as the album's title track. The music video for this track shows a story of the seven members in an alternate reality, depicting their anxieties and uncertainties as they confront their futures[1]. Following this music video, multiple pieces of content were released in this era and in their third era. Due to the popularity of the fictional universe, Big Hit Entertainment named it the "BU", or "BTS Universe".
On June 29, 2017, the BTS Wings Concept Book, the first piece of BU content with the official BTS Universe logo, was released. In an interview from July 2017, RM explains the origin of their "I Need U" and "Run" music videos by saying: "Stars Wars came out tens of years ago, but a dad and his son still go to a theater to see it. It’s not just like a five-year or a ten-year thing, you know what I mean? Our company knew that and they always told us about how important it is to make a universe similar to the Star Wars Universe or the Marvel Cinematic Universe."[2] In August 2017, at the start of their fourth era, posters of the fictional characters were released. At the same time, the phrase "BU content certified by Big Hit Entertainment" was added to all music videos and short films that were part of the BU.
History
"Seven boys. Best friends. Their fates intertwined through the good times together, but also the tough times, as they have gone their separate ways and suffered greatly as a result. When all is almost lost for these boys, one is given a special chance to go back in time and help his friends fix the mistakes that led them down this path. He’ll do anything to save them, but can he? Or is he too late?" – Plot summary of the 花樣年華 Pt.0 <SAVE ME> webtoon.
Content
List of BU content certified by Big Hit Entertainment.
| Content | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title | Type | Released |
| Youth Trilogy | ||
| 'I NEED U' Official MV | Music video | April 29, 2015 |
| 'I NEED U' Official MV (Original ver.) | Music video | May 10, 2015 |
| 화양연화 on stage : prologue | Short film | September 8, 2015 |
| 'RUN' Official MV | Music video | November 30, 2015 |
| 'I NEED U (Japanese Ver.)' Official MV | Music video | December 1, 2015 |
| 'RUN -Japanese Ver.-' Official MV | Music video | March 11, 2016 |
| ‘EPILOGUE : Young Forever’ MV | Music video | April 19, 2016 |
| Wings | ||
| WINGS Short Film #1 BEGIN* | Short film | September 4, 2016 |
| WINGS Short Film #2 LIE* | Short film | September 5, 2016 |
| WINGS Short Film #3 STIGMA* | Short film | September 7, 2016 |
| WINGS Short Film #4 FIRST LOVE | Short film | September 8, 2016 |
| WINGS Short Film #5 REFLECTION | Short film | September 9, 2016 |
| WINGS Short Film #6 MAMA | Short film | September 10, 2016 |
| WINGS Short Film #7 AWAKE | Short film | September 13, 2016 |
| '피 땀 눈물 (Blood Sweat & Tears)' Official MV | Music video | October 10, 2016 |
| '血、汗、涙 -Japanese Ver.-' Official MV | Music video | May 10, 2017 |
| BTS WINGS CONCEPT BOOK | Concept book | June 29, 2017 |
| Love Yourself | ||
| #LOVE_YOURSELF Poster | Posters | August 11–13, 2017 |
| 花樣年華 The Notes: Seokjin – 13 June Year 22 | Short story | August 14, 2017 |
| LOVE YOURSELF Highlight Reel '起' | Short film | August 15, 2017 |
| LOVE YOURSELF Highlight Reel '承' | Short film | August 16, 2017 |
| LOVE YOURSELF Highlight Reel '轉' | Short film | August 17, 2017 |
| LOVE YOURSELF Highlight Reel '起承轉結' | Short film | August 18, 2017 |
| 花樣年華 The Notes in LOVE YOURSELF 承 'Her' | Short stories | September 18, 2017 |
| 'Euphoria : Theme of LOVE YOURSELF 起 Wonder' | Short film | April 5, 2018 |
| 花樣年華 The Notes: Jungkook – 22 May Year 22 | Short story | May 4, 2018 |
| 'FAKE LOVE' Official Teaser 1 | Teaser | May 14, 2018 |
| 'FAKE LOVE' Official MV | Music video | May 18, 2018 |
| 花樣年華 The Notes in LOVE YOURSELF 轉 'Tear' | Short stories | May 18, 2018 |
| 'FAKE LOVE' Official MV (Extended ver.) | Music video | June 1, 2018 |
| 花樣年華 The Notes: Seokjin – 3 August Year 22 | Short story | August 7, 2018 |
| LOVE YOURSELF 結 Answer 'Epiphany' Comeback Trailer | Comeback trailer | August 9, 2018 |
| 花樣年華 The Notes in LOVE YOURSELF 結 'Answer' | Short stories | August 24, 2018 |
| 花樣年華 Pt.0 <SAVE ME> | Webtoon | January 17, 2019 |
| 花樣年華 THE NOTES 1 | Book | March 5, 2019 |
| Map of the Soul | ||
| 花樣年華 The Notes in MAP OF THE SOUL : PERSONA | Short Stories | April 12, 2019 |
| New Game Official Concept Art Teaser | Teaser | August 21, 2019 |
| 花樣年華 Art Toy | Art toy | September 16, 2019 |
| 花樣年華 The Notes in MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 | Short Stories | February 21, 2020 |
| 함께라면 웃을 수 있다 | Graphic Lyrics | June 24, 2020 |
*These videos were originally BU certified, but for an unknown reason got the certification removed.
Smeraldo Flower Shop
See also: Smeraldo Flower Shop
On August 9, 2017, Jin posted on Twitter a selca featuring a bouquet of flowers and the word "Smeraldo",[3] which is not an actual flower. However, the fans found Testesso, a fictional florist who is planning on opening a shop called "Smeraldo Flower Shop".[4]
Testesso has a Naver Blog about the Smeraldo Flower and his shop, with different stories about the origin of the flower and his experiences with it. These stories were deleted and the BU logo was added to the blog on July 4, 2018.[5] A few days later, the blog started to post the same stories as last year, but the eighth story changed and Seok-jin didn't pre-order the Smeraldo Flowers for the girl because he turned back the time.
Also, the Instagram account associated with the blog was deleted and re-opened on July 20, 2018, with content alike to previously uploaded and the Twitter account was private since August 2017, until the content was deleted and reupdated on July 2018.
As of July 6, 2020, all the content of the blog was deleted for the second time with posts slowly being reuploaded again on the same dates. However, the third story changes and gets uploaded on July 15, 2020 instead of July 17, 2020. In the previous versions, Testesso talks about how the flower was first discovered in real life. On the 2020 version, he talks about seeing a man with an umbrella stopping in front of the shop during the typhoon.
*Don't confuse Jin, the vocalist of BTS with Seok-jin, the fictional character.
Smeraldo Books's Twitter
A Twitter account promoting the 花樣年華 Pt.0 <SAVE ME> webtoon and 花樣年華 THE NOTES 1 book was opened. The account shared fragments of the book tied with different visual content on the BU.
Tied content.
Would I be able to straighten out the errors and mistakes and save the others? I didn't grasp the depth and weight of this question. – Seok-jin, 2 May Year 22.[6][7]
The car had just barely missed me. The remaining buzz of the alcohol all made me feel giddy. Then I realized I couldn't hear the piano anymore. – Yoon-gi, 7 April Year 22.[8][9]
SeokJin just stood there on the edge of my sight. He didn't come closer or start talking. – Nam-joon, 11 April Year 22.[10][11]
My phone rang. I came back to myself as if awakened from a long dream. I took out my phone. It was YoonGi. – Jung-kook, 11 April Year 22.[12][13]
Mom handed me a chocolate bar. "HoSeok, close your eyes tight and don't open them until you count to ten." – Ho-seok, 23 July Year 10.[14][15]
I lied for the first time today. I looked into the doctor's eyes and pretended to be depressed. "I can't remember anything." – Ji-min, 28 September Year 20.[16][17]
The sheet caught fire and instantly flared up. My last sight of this world was this dirty, isolated room, the red-hot flames and rolling heat, and JungKook's twisted face. – Yoon-gi, 2 May Year 22.[18][19]
My narcolepsy occurred anytime, anywhere. I always ended up having dreams about Mom when I blacked out. The dreams were all alike. I was heading somewhere with Mom on a bus. – Ho-seok, 10 May Year 22.[20][21]
I wanted to kill myself instead of Dad. If I could, I wanted to drop dead right then and there. – Tae-hyung, 20 May Year 22.[22][23]
"Run, JiMin." We all started running. I was caught up in the excitement and ran with them. The snacks and plastic soda bottles flew into the air. – Ji-min, 15 May Year 22.[24][25]
At some point, we were all running along the coastal road. I was out of breath, sweaty, and had a splitting headache. But I didn't stop because they continued on. – Jung-kook, 22 May Year 22.[26][27]
It was like the last scene in my dream. The only difference was that SeokJin was up there instead of me. – Tae-hyung, 22 May Year 22.[28][29]
Several days ago, l'd been here and seen some graffit. I'd automatically looked around, but TaeHyung had been nowhere in sight. I stared at the graffiti painted all over the wall for a while. – Nam-joon, 13 July Year 22.[30][31]
Other Universes
Seok-jin and Yeon-jun with the cat-like creature.
- TXT Universe: The TU or +U started on January 11, 2019, is a shared universe that included in music videos and photocards, also produced by Big Hit Entertainment. Similarly to the BU, it is based on characters inspired by the members of TXT. Although the BU and the TU are different universes, the fictional cat-like creature with one blue eye and one green eye who meets Seok-jin at the beach[36] and Yeon-jun in several places[37][38][39] looks like exists in both universes but isn't confirmed it be the same creature.
- GFriend's Fictional Universe: In July 2019, Big Hit Entertainment has acquired Source Music a entertainment company, who manages the girl group GFriend making the group part of the multi-label organization, Big Hit Labels. On the corporate briefing of the second half of 2019, Bang Si-hyuk said "Storytelling will be expanded in stages to include artists in our multi-label organization."[40] The short film "A Tale of the Glass Bead : Previous Story" was realeased explaining the GFriend music videos storytelling, but so far is not established as an official universe.
Upcoming content
BTS (방탄소년단) New Game Official Concept Art Teaser
- BTS Universe Story (BTS 유니버스 스토리): Big Hit Entertainment is partnering with Netmarble for a new video game project that the company described as such: "This new work will provide another encounter with the BU rendered through lush, emotion-filled art."[41] The concept trailer was released on August 21, 2019. The game will be released to the global market in the third quarter of 2020.[42]
- Blue Sky (푸른 하늘): Big Hit Entertainment along with Chorokbaem Media are currently development a drama based on the BU with Kim Jae Hong as producing director and Kim Soo Jin as scriptwriter, the drama is expected to be released in 2021.[43][44] This drama will tell the story of seven boys who meet for the first time within the BU. As it will be based on when the characters were younger, the members will not personally act in the drama and will be casting rookie actors instead. The filming is reportedly scheduled to begin in September of this year.[45][44]
- The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: The Notes 2 (花樣年華 THE NOTES 2): Sequel novel of 花樣年華 THE NOTES 1 was announced in February 2020. The release date is unknown.[46]
Deleted scene
Deleted scene.
The short film "화양연화 on stage : prologue" was originally released on September 8, 2015 but was deleted and re-uploaded on September 16, 2015, and Seok-jin's last scene was removed.
In the scene, Seok-jin is in his car, then opens his glove box and pulls out his polaroid with Yoon-gi; however, when he sees it, Seok-jin is the only one in the picture, with Yoon-gi mysteriously absent from the picture. At the end of the scene, it is hinted that the car is floating on the sea.
Characters
List of the characters in the fictional universe.
Main
- Jin as Kim Seok-jin
- Suga as Min Yoon-gi
- J-Hope as Jung Ho-seok
- Unknown actor[47] as Child Jung Ho-seok
- RM as Kim Nam-joon
- Jimin as Park Ji-min
- V as Kim Tae-hyung
- Jungkook as Jeon Jung-kook
*The characters names are the same as their real names.
Supporting
Seok-jin's relatives
- Unknown actor[48] as Testesso, owner of the Smeraldo Flower Shop.
- Choi Yu-ju (Yu Ju) as Seok-jin's girl, she is his love interest.
- To-be-confirmed actor as Kim Chang-joon, Seok-jin's father.
- To-be-confirmed actress as Seok-jin's mother.
- To-be-confirmed actress as Seok-jin's grandmother.
- To-be-confirmed actor as Mr Choi, father of Seok-jin's childhood friend.
- To-be-confirmed actor as Mr Choi's son, Seok-jin's childhood friend.
- Cat-like creature, after meeting it on the beach, Seok-jin acquires the ability to travel back in time.
Yoon-gi's relatives
- Park Jung-yeon as Yoon-gi's girl.
- To-be-confirmed actor as Yoon-gi's father.
- To-be-confirmed actress as Yoon-gi's mother.
Ho-seok's relatives
- Shin Ryu-jin (Ryujin) as Ho-seok's girl.
- Unknown actress[49] as Ho-seok's mother.
Nam-joon's relatives
- Oh Han-seol as Nam-joon's girl.
- To-be-confirmed actor as Nam-joon's father.
- To-be-confirmed actress as Nam-joon's mother.
- To-be-confirmed actor as Nam-joon's brother.
- Jong-sik/Jong-hun, Nam-joon's friend.
Ji-min's relatives
- To-be-confirmed actor as Ji-min's father.
- To-be-confirmed actress as Ji-min's mother.
Tae-hyung's relatives
- Unknown actor[50] as Tae-hyung's father.
- Unknown actress[51] as Tae-hyung's mother.
- Unknown actress[52] as Tae-hyung's sister.
- Unknown actor[53] as Detective
- Kim Bo-ra (Bo Ra) as Tae-hyung's girl.
- Dubu, Tae-hyung's dog.
Jung-kook's relatives
- Unknown actor[54] as Thug 1
- Unknown actor[55] as Thug 2
- Shin Yu-na (Yuna) as Jung-kook's girl.
- To-be-confirmed actor as Jung-kook's father.
- To-be-confirmed actress as Jung-kook's mother.
- To-be-confirmed actor as Jung-kook's step father.
- To-be-confirmed actor as Jung-kook's step brother.
*"To-be-confirmed actor/actress" was added due the upcoming drama adaptation, maybe not all will be appear in the drama. Only was added to the characters existent before of 2013 in the BU timeline due the drama will be placed when they are younger.
Timeline
Main article: Timeline
Timeline of events occurred on the fictional universe.
Videos
Gallery
 | To view the BTS Universe gallery, click here.
|
References
- ↑ What marketers can learn from K-Pop band BTS
- ↑ K-Pop’s Biggest Boy Band BTS: ‘We Write About Things People Don’t Want to Say’
- ↑ Jin's post on Twitter with the "Smeraldo"
- ↑ BTS Fans React To Viral Smeraldo Comeback Concept Theory
- ↑ Fans expect a possible BTS comeback in August with clues from 'smeraldo' flower shop
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 6, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 6, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 7, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 7, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 8, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 8, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 9, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 9, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 10, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 10, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 11, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 11, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 12, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 12, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 13, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 13, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 14, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 14, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 15, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 15, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 16, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 16, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 17, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 17, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 18, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 18, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 19, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 19, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 1 (January 20, 2019)
- ↑ Smeraldo Books's Tweet 2 (January 20, 2019)
- ↑ 花樣年華 Pt.0 <SAVE ME> – Episode 1
- ↑ TXT (투모로우바이투게더) '별의 낮잠 (Nap of a star)' Official MV
- ↑ TXT (투모로우바이투게더) 'Magic Island' Official MV
- ↑ TXT (투모로우바이투게더) 'Eternally' Official MV
- ↑ Big Hit Corporate Briefing with the Community (2H 2019) (37:29)
- ↑ Big Hit Corporate Briefing with the Community (2H 2019) (38:04)
- ↑ BTS’s New “Universe Story” Game: Here’s What We Know So Far
- ↑ Big Hit Corporate Briefing with the Community (1H 2020) (57:25)
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 Drama Based On BTS Universe Begins Production + Reportedly Casting Rookie Actors For The 7 Leads
- ↑ Big Hit Announces Production Of Drama Based On BTS Universe
- ↑ Big Hit Corporate Briefing with the Community (1H 2020) (56:40)
- ↑ Appears in "LOVE YOURSELF Highlight Reel '起'" short film.
- ↑ Appears as picture in Smeraldo Flower Shop's Naver Blog.
- ↑ Appears in "LOVE YOURSELF Highlight Reel '起'" short film.
- ↑ Appears in "I Need U" music video and "WINGS Short Film #3 STIGMA" short film.
- ↑ Appears as picture in "화양연화 on stage : prologue" short film.
- ↑ Appears in "I Need U" music video, "WINGS Short Film #3 STIGMA" short film and "Euphoria : Theme of LOVE YOURSELF 起 Wonder" short film.
- ↑ Appears in "WINGS Short Film #3 STIGMA" short film.
- ↑ Appears in "I Need U" music video.
- ↑ Appears in "I Need U" music video.
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