10 New BTS Facts We Learned From Their “Rolling Stone” Interviews

In their interviews for Rolling Stone‘s “The Future of Music Issue,” BTS talked about their music, their future goals, and much more. Here are 10 new things we learned about BTS as a group and as individuals!

1. The story behind BTS’s hidden member

V was BTS’s “secret weapon,” a hidden member who would not be revealed to the public until 11 days before BTS’s debut. Bang Si Hyuk told Rolling Stone why chose V for the part.

We needed momentum to announce that the team called BTS was finally complete. V had great charms in terms of appearance and personality, so I thought it would be impactful when he was revealed last. It was an effective strategy in forming the team’s overall image, as well as leaving an impression of each member.

— Bang Si Hyuk

2. How V now feels about his past role

Being the hidden member wasn’t easy for V. It saddened him to be left out of BTS’s pre-debut activities, such as recording video logs for fans. When V was asked how he feels about it now, he’s was able to joke about those times.

I can laugh about it now for sure. As long as I can sort of toss around our CEO, our label’s boss, and shake him around a little bit by his cuffs. But yes, I can laugh about it.

— V

3. Suga’s thoughts about BTS, ARMY, and dating

When asked how he thinks fans might react to BTS being in romantic relationships, Suga pointed out that ARMY isn’t an entity, but a group of individuals with their own feelings.

I have a hard time understanding this question. The ARMY is a diverse group. In this hypothetical situation, some may accept it, some may not. Whether it’s dating, or something else, they’re all individuals, and they will understand things differently.

— Suga

4. How Jin feels about his postponed military service

Under the new “BTS Law,” male idols who have received government medals for their domestic and global cultural contributions can apply for a deferment until the age of 30. That means Jin won’t have to enlist until 2022.

He told Rolling Stone; “I think the country sort of told me, ‘You’re doing this well, and we will give you a little bit more time.’ [Military service] is an important duty for our country. So I feel that I will try to work as hard as I can and do the most I can until I am called.”

5. The struggles BTS faced during their Most Beautiful Moment in Life era

RM revealed that this era, which began in 2015, wasn’t always beautiful. It was a challenging time of change and transformation.

Despite the name, Most Beautiful Moment in Life, that was actually a very tumultuous period for me and for us. There was the tough image we had in 2 Cool 4 Skool, in those early stages, a sort of exaggerated expression of toughness and that angst.

And then we sort of slowed down a little bit and tried to express the emotions of young people who have really nothing more than dreams. It was a more honest sort of expression, and we witnessed how it was resonating with a lot of people.

— RM

6. Jungkook’s reaction to seeing Ariana Grande in concert

When asked about which artists inspire him, Jungkook named Ariana Grande. He felt inspired after watching her perform in person.

I was really impressed by her stage presence. She’s a very small person, and the volume of her singing and what she was able to do was really moving, really impressive. And it just seemed like something I wanted to emulate and learn from. It made me want to develop and continue to grow.

— Jungkook

7. Jimin didn’t always think he was good at dancing.

Jimin has become one of the best-known, top-tier dancers in K-Pop, but there was a time when he didn’t see his own talent. At first, Jimin didn’t think he was good at dancing, but he knew he enjoyed it.

First of all, I never thought that I’m good at dancing. But I began to like dancing when I was young. It was my friends who suggested that we go learn how to dance as an after-school activity. As I did more of it, I began to like it more and I started taking more lessons. And I became more and more immersed in it. And I realized, as I continued to learn how to dance, that I didn’t have the stress when I was dancing.

It was my own space where I could go to a different world, where I didn’t have to think about other things. It was something that I could really immerse myself into. And it made me feel really free. And it made me really happy. And then even after I debuted and I still have those feelings and those emotions, dancing is the best answer.

— Jimin

8. J-Hope’s plans for his second mixtape

Fans have been waiting years for J-Hope’s sequel to Hope World, but it seems the wait isn’t over yet! J-Hope revealed that his next mixtape will be more mature than his first one.

Right now, the goal is to get inspired and make good music. Nothing is decided yet, so I’m just going to keep working on music. I think my style of music will not greatly change, but I think it will be more mature. I will try to contain stories that I really want to tell in the second mixtape.

— J-Hope

9. V’s future acting plans

V hasn’t acted since he made his debut in Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth, but he hasn’t quit acting for good.

It’s something that I’m thinking about after I turn 30.

— V

10. How BTS’s behind-the-scenes styling has changed

In the beginning, BTS’s style choices were limited by their agency’s small budget as well as their fierce, hip hop concept. Jungkook told Rolling Stone that they have more freedom these days, and they now hold meetings to decide on their concepts.

When we first debuted, we had kind of fierce makeup, with our eyeliner and stuff, and dark outfits, fierce-looking outfits. At that time, our company was relatively small and we couldn’t put a lot of budget into the outfits.

But now we devote a lot of time and we hold a lot of meetings to choose the outfits and the style that would go well with the songs and the album. So I think the visual aspect is really important. The song, the dance — every individual aspect is really important.

— Jungkook