The 7 Best BTS Songs for Beginners

BTS are global superstars and 21st-century pop icons. The South Korean group, composed of the seven members RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, has achieved international fame with decades of popular music. If you’re even slightly interested in K-pop as a genre, you should be listening to BTS. Seriously.

Of course, BTS has been releasing music since June 2013 — that’s over 10 years of albums, singles, and solos for you to discover. If you don’t know where to begin (ahem, “Begin” is a great song from the album WINGS), we can help. Below we’ve outlined the 7 best BTS songs for beginners. Plus, we’ll give you some recommendations for where to start with each members’ solo work!

---

“IDOL”

LOVE YOURSELF 結 ‘Answer’

“IDOL” is a celebratory anthem all about loving yourself, your journey, and all the hard work you’ve put into becoming your most authentic self. It’s a total confidence booster with awesome music and choreography that have inspired some of the most iconic BTS live performances of all time.

---

“Dynamite”

BE

Got a roller rink date coming up? Get inspired and jam to “Dynamite,” BTS’ very first all-English release. When you listen to “Dynamite,” you can’t help but smile and be happy.

---

“Butter”

Summer might be coming to an end, but BTS will help you keep it hot with “Butter”. Fun and flirty, sizzling and sensational, it’s the pick-me-up type song you need as the season changes.

---

“Permission to Dance”

Butter

“Permission to Dance” is the third fully English BTS song, appealing to a global audience that needed plenty of uplifting post-pandemic. The cheerful vibes and uplifting message will undoubtedly get you grooving.

---

“DNA”

LOVE YOURSELF 承 ‘Her’

“DNA” is for all the romantics out there. With lyrics about fated love and enduring affection, “DNA” will make your heart skip a beat or two in the best way possible.

---

“ON”

MAP OF THE SOUL : 7

“ON” brings explosive energy and fierce vocals to the stage. It encourages fans to fight through the pain and emerge victorious alongside BTS, all of whom are fighting just as hard in this world.

---

“Take Two”

“Take Two” is the most recent group song by BTS. Although it was released during the group’s hiatus, it still features every single member. Additionally, “Take Two” is a love letter to BTS’ fans, thanking them for helping them achieve so much and promising an exciting road ahead. It will move you to tears whether you’ve been following BTS since debut or if this is your first foray into K-pop.

---

BTS’ Solo Work

All of the BTS members have embarked on successful adventures into solo music. From fantastic full length albums to sensual singles, these songs span multiple genres. We’ll recommend one song from each BTS member that will hopefully get you hooked on their individual work.

RM

“Wild Flower (with youjeen)” showcases lyrical and linguistic talents of BTS’ leader, RM. The lead single from the album Indigo, it also allows you to see a softer side of RM’s rap.

Jin

“The Astronaut”, co-written with Coldplay, illustrates the beautiful relationship between Jin and his fans. The message of letting go and moving on, but never forgetting the love shared, is so special.

SUGA

Gritty and distinctive, “Daechwita” brings you further into to the lore associated with SUGA’s alter ego, AGUST D. The song also leads a trilogy of music videos from SUGA’s solo discography — in order, the albums are Agust D, D-2, and D-Day.

j-hope

“Daydream” is an optimistic song laced with j-hope’s infallible energy and signature style. It comes from j-hope’s first mixtape, Hope World.

Jimin

“Like Crazy”, from Jimin’s debut album FACE, explores love and loneliness. Jimin’s sumptuous vocals and the club beat set the standards high for all other pop music.

V

“Love Me Again” allows V to showcase his jazzier side. “Love Me Again” is the first release from V’s upcoming solo album, Layover.

Jung Kook

“Seven (feat. Latto)” celebrates passion and perseverance in relationships. It is Jung Kook’s only solo project, but it nonetheless makes quite the impact.

---

What do you think is the best BTS song from this list? Share your favorites in the Sideshow Social Network, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!