The group initially formed as teenagers under Big Hit Entertainment and released their debut single album, 2 Cool 4 Skool (2013). Subsequent work such as their first U.S. Billboard 200 entries The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2 (2015), The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever (2016), and Wings (2016) helped establish BTS' reputation as a socially conscious group. Wings became BTS' first album to sell one million copies in South Korea. By 2017, BTS crossed into the international music market, leading the Korean Wave into the United States and breaking numerous sales records, becoming the first Korean group to receive a certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) with their single "Mic Drop". The band is the first Korean act to top the U.S. Billboard 200 with their studio album Love Yourself: Tear (2018) and have since hit the top of the U.S. charts with their albums Love Yourself: Answer (2018) and Map of the Soul: Persona (2019), making BTS the first group since The Beatles to earn three number one albums in less than a year, and the fastest to earn three number one albums since The Monkees in 1967. Love Yourself: Answer also broke South Korea's Gaon Album Chart's all-time monthly record previously set by Love Yourself: Tear and became the first Korean album certified Gold in the United States.
According to Gaon Music Chart, BTS has sold fifteen million albums domestically and is the best-selling artist to debut in the 2010s. They hold the best-selling album in Korean history with Map of the Soul: Persona. BTS were the second best-selling artists of 2018 worldwide according to the IFPI's Global Artist Chart, as well as the only non-English speaking artist to enter the chart. The group has won Top Social Artist three years in a row and Top Duo/Group at the 26th Billboard Music Awards. Featured on Time's international cover as "Next Generation Leaders", BTS has appeared in the magazine's 25 most influential people on the internet (2017–2019) and Time's 100 most influential people in the world (2019), with the outlet giving them the nickname 'Princes of Pop'. Forbes Korea named BTS the most influential celebrities of Korea in 2018, and BTS ranked 43rd in the Forbes Celebrity 100 (2019) as one of the world's top-earning celebrities. During their 2019 Love Yourself World Tour, BTS became the first Asian artist ever to headline and sell out Wembley Stadium and broke the record for the single highest-grossing engagement in Rose Bowl Stadium history. BTS are worth more than $4.65 billion to South Korea's economy each year, attracting one in every 13 foreign tourists that visit the country, and are cited as one of the key acts boosting global music sales to $19 billion in 2018, a figure not seen since 2006 after digital purchases gained momentum.
Following the establishment of their Love Myself anti-violence campaign in partnership with UNICEF, BTS addressed the United Nations 73rd General Assembly and became the youngest ever recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit from the President of South Korea due to their contributions in spreading Korean culture and language.
2nd Grade
BTS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
또 방아쇠를 당겨 'cause time flowing fast
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
꿈만 좇던 내가 이젠 무대에 불을 내
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
난 별로 달라진 게 없어 baby 가요계 2학년
아직 181 baby 마음의 키만 컸으
나름 학년 1등 baby 받았어 신인상도
복도를 돌아다니다 보면 받아 새 후배들 인사도
이젠 좀 알 것 같애 리허설도 능숙하게
1년 후배도 생기고 이젠 좀 나도 나가는 거 같애
Ah 쉿 어 근데 눈앞에 5, 6년차 선배들
(안녕하세요) 그제야 느끼지 아직 멀기만 한 현재를
대중 선생님들은 작년까진 부담 안 줘
겨우 1학년 신인이라며 괜찮다며 나를 앉혀놓고
세상이 얼마나 차가운지 몇 가지 과목으로 알려줬지
선입견, 악플, 이중잣대, 욕설 그리고 무관심
선생님 여기도 수능이 있나요
1등하면 성공한 가수인가요
그런 것도 좋지만 음악이 하고 싶어요
일단 내 하고픈 대로 할게 날 좀 냅둬여
Work it out, work it out, 24시간
Burn it up, burn it up 불태워 매 순간
이런저런 고민들은 뒤로
1년이 넘어가도 우리들은 오늘을 살어
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
또 방아쇠를 당겨 'cause time flowing fast
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
꿈만 좇던 내가 이젠 무대에 불을 내
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
아 벌써 내가 2학년이 돼 (Oh, no)
눈 깜빡 할 새 시간은 빠르게 (Go, go)
공부도 열심히 놀기도 열심히 right
그렇게 1년이 기적이 이뤄진 것처럼 bye
근데 어떡해? 괜시리 걱정돼
눈칫밥은 덜 먹겠지만 배울 과목은 진수성찬인데
쉴 때다 싶음 선생님이 말하지
잔소린 빵빵빵 "수능은 잘 봐야지"
무슨 수능은 수능
선생님 우리도 사람이에요 수긍해 수긍
오늘은 다 때려치고 후배들 놀리러나 가 볼까?
오늘 나 PC방으로 잠 못 자
Work it out, work it out, 24시간
Burn it up, burn it up 불태워 매 순간
이런저런 고민들은 뒤로
1년이 넘어가도 우리들은 오늘을 살어
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
또 방아쇠를 당겨 'cause time flowing fast
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
꿈만 좇던 내가 이젠 무대에 불을 내
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
2년차 랩퍼 점수를 매겨보자면 다행히 선방은 했어
아직은 애송이, 계속해서 달려와서 고작 2학년이 됐어
이상과 현실 사이의 걸리버 눈치 따윈 보지 않어
꼴리는 대로 막 나갈 겨 색안경 낀 꼰대들 내 앞으로 줄 맞춰
돌이켜보면 완전 피 말려
닥쳐 이제 난 2학년 이건 새 시대 시발점
꼭꼭 숨어라 내 잔머리가 다 보일라
선배든 후배든 선생이든 get the out
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
또 방아쇠를 당겨 'cause time flowing fast
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
꿈만 좇던 내가 이젠 무대에 불을 내
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
(Still every day) Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it
The lyrics to BTS's song "2nd Grade" reflect the growth and transformation the members have experienced since their debut. The line "눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼" (In the blink of an eye, we've become 2nd graders) represents their realization of how fast time has passed since their debut. They compare this rapid flow of time to pulling the trigger on a gun, emphasizing the urgency and speed of their journey.
The members express how they used to dream of being on stage, but now they are actually performing and setting fire to the stage. They attribute their progress to their daily efforts and hard work, as shown in the repetitive lines "Still every day, Bang it, bang it, bang it, bang it." This repetition signifies their continuous dedication and determination to excel in their music career.
Despite their success, they humbly state that they haven't changed much as individuals and they are still rookies in the music industry. They mention receiving a newcomer's award and receiving greetings from junior colleagues, indicating their growing presence and influence in the industry. They believe that they have gained some knowledge and become more skilled in rehearsing and performing.
The lyrics also touch upon the pressures and challenges they face as popular idols. They mention that in the past, their teachers didn't burden them, reassuring them that being a rookie in the industry was okay. However, they were exposed to the cold reality of the world through experiences such as prejudice, cyberbullying, double standards, insults, and indifference. This highlights the darker side of the industry and the hardships they have faced.
Amidst their struggles, they express their passion for music and their desire to pursue their own dreams. They want to be allowed to do what they want and ask to be left alone to follow their own path. They assert that they will work tirelessly, burning up each moment, and disregarding any worries and concerns that arise, as they believe in living for the present.
Overall, "2nd Grade" is a reflection on BTS's journey from being rookies to becoming more established in the music industry. It captures their experiences, challenges, aspirations, and commitment to their passion for music. This song serves as a reminder of their growth and determination to overcome obstacles and continue pursuing their dreams.
Writer(s): Yunki Min, Dong Hyuk Shin, Hoseok Jeong, Ho Weon Kang, Namjun Kim
Contributed by Kayla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kiana bartle
Everyone is talking about yoongis and namjoons rap, BUT LETS NOT UNDERRATE HOSEOKS EPIC VERSE
Mpumi M
The flow😆
Tamar Kent
He switched his flow 4 times. Amazing 😉.
gelato
he really is underrated
maavi _za
No I was always talking about J-Hope rap 😍😍
Irita Sheryl
Please we barely talk abt yoongi or namjoon
Give them some love too
Abby
Unpopular opinion : this is one of the best bts songs
K. Sharma
highkey tho
mia
HIGHKEY
Abril Ferreira
Y E S