REVIEW: Beyond the Story

By Denise @ Life With No Plot on October 14, 2024 • ( 0 )

About the Book

Title: Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS

Authors: Myeongseok Kang, BTS, Anton Hur (translator)

Series: none

Genre: Biography, Autobiography, Music

Pages: 544

Edition Read: Hardcover

Dates Read: July 7 – 17, 2023

Blurb: After taking their first step into the world on June 13, 2013, BTS will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut in June 2023. They have risen to the peak as an iconic global artist and during this meaningful time, they look back on their footsteps in the first official book. In doing so, BTS nurtures the power to build brighter days and they choose to take another step on a road that no one has gone before.

BTS shares personal, behind-the-scenes stories of their journey so far through interviews and more than three years of in-depth coverage by Myeongseok Kang, who has written about K-pop and other Korean pop culture in various media. Presented chronologically in seven chapters from before the debut of BTS to the present, their vivid voices and opinions harmonize to tell a sincere, lively, and deep story. In individual interviews that have been conducted without a camera or makeup, they illuminate their musical journey from multiple angles and discuss its significance.

In addition, portrait photos that show BTS as individuals and artists open the book, and throughout there are concept photos, tracklists of all previous albums, and over 330 QR codes. As digital artists, BTS has been communicating with the world through the internet and this book allows readers to immediately access trailers, music videos, and more online to have a rich understanding of all the key moments in BTS history. Complete with a timeline of all major milestones, BEYOND THE STORY is a remarkable archive—truly everything about BTS in one volume.

Review

Where to even begin.

To say that I am a fan of BTS is an understatement. I find them to be an incredible inspiration. On top of that, I first found them during a time in my life where I was very depressed and really struggling. Their music and their message helped pull me out of that. It might sound overdramatic, but it is true, I believe, that if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t still be here. So if there is a book that is telling their story in their words the way they wish to share it, I will admit that I am not the most unbiased reviewer.

That being said . . .

This book is a genuinely wonderful memoir about seven lives and that came together into this beautiful mix that has created a now 11 year career in music and entertainment. Now that they are at the height of their international fame, it is wonderful to look back and see their more humble beginnings and how far they have truly come. From a small company with few resources (I didn’t realize just how many times they almost went bankrupt) to being at the highest levels in not just the K-Pop industry, but the international music industry is nothing short of amazing. Combine that with the fact that they seem to have stayed down to earth, hardworking, and always, always appreciative towards their fans, the ARMY.

There were several stories that I had never heard before, and also stories I had heard parts of that were fleshed out. Each member of the group lent their voice to this narrative, lending insight to show their struggles, their inspirations, and their successes. Myeongseok Kang, a Korean entertainment journalist, takes all of these accounts and combines them into a complete, cohesive narrative. On top of that, the inclusion of the QR codes throughout the book connect the reader to all of the relevant online media that the group has put out over the years. Is there a mention of a specific comeback trailer? Boom – here’s a link to the exact video. A blog post where a member mentioned a certain event? Here’s a link to it, along with translations. It was such a brilliant way to incorporate their online presence and all of the media they have shared over the years into their story.

Not a fan of BTS? You may still enjoy this book. It is a fascinating look into an industry that can sometimes not be particularly transparent. If you are a fan of BTS, even a casual one, you definitely need to read this. It will make you love and respect them even more.

GoodReads rating: 5 stars (who are we kidding)