An artist spray paints a mural of K-pop megastars BTS in Seoul on June 12, 2023, on the occasion of the supergroup's 10-year anniversary. Fans of K-pop megastars BTS flocked to hotspots around Seoul on June 12 to mark the supergroup's 10-year anniversary, with South Korea unveiling a special commemorative stamp series to celebrate.
An artist spray paints a mural of K-pop megastars BTS in Seoul on June 12, 2023, on the occasion of the supergroup's 10-year anniversary. Fans of K-pop megastars BTS flocked to hotspots around Seoul on June 12 to mark the supergroup's 10-year anniversary, with South Korea unveiling a special commemorative stamp series to celebrate. Image Credit: AFP

Fans of K-pop megastars BTS flocked to hotspots around Seoul on June 12 to mark the supergroup's 10-year anniversary, with South Korea unveiling a special commemorative stamp series to celebrate.

The group's fans - known collectively as ARMY - gathered outside the offices of its agency HYBE to take selfies and record TikTok videos in front of a huge mural of the stars being painted on a wall.

Korea Post unveiled a special edition series of stamps in BTS's honour set to go on sale at post offices Tuesday - the official anniversary of the septet's debut - having already sold out almost instantly online. "Obviously BTS are global superstars, but we didn't expect the stamps to be sold out on the day of the online release," a Korea Post official told AFP. "Many ARMY BTS fans have asked for the release of BTS stamps, and we also wanted to issue stamps for these global artists for their 10th anniversary," Kim Mi-hwa, Korea Post stamp designer, told AFP.

A model shows a BTS 10th anniversary postage stamp during its unveiling event at Seoul Central Post Office in Seoul on June 12, 2023. Seoul this week marks 10 years of megastars BTS, the supergroup credited with bringing K-pop into the global mainstream and generating billions of dollars for the South Korean economy.
A model shows a BTS 10th anniversary postage stamp during its unveiling event at Seoul Central Post Office in Seoul on June 12, 2023. Seoul this week marks 10 years of megastars BTS, the supergroup credited with bringing K-pop into the global mainstream and generating billions of dollars for the South Korean economy. Image Credit: AFP

After debuting on June 13, 2013, the group went on to become the first all-South Korean act to dominate the US and UK charts, raking in billions of dollars and building a global fandom in the process.

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The band - currently on a hiatus, with two members performing their mandatory South Korean military service - released a new digital single last week to celebrate the anniversary. The single, 'Take Two', is purportedly a nod to the band's second chapter after a decade as musicians.

In a recent video shared by ARMYs (BTS fandom), Han River, one of the most popular spots in the city, was covered with purple lights, BTS fandom's official color.

Fans from around the world travelled to South Korea to celebrate the anniversary, with the Seoul city government running a special programme for the visitors. "It's thrilling to be here. It's thrilling to be surrounded by other ARMY," scientist Anne Micic, 55, a BTS fan from Australia, told AFP. "I think that's the other thing, that as an ARMY when you meet other ARMY it's almost like you have another family, which is really awesome."

Customers take photos of balloons and pictures showing K-pop megastars BTS inside a cafe in Seoul on June 12, 2023, on the occasion of the supergroup's 10-year anniversary. Fans of K-pop megastars BTS flocked to hotspots around Seoul on June 12 to mark the supergroup's 10-year anniversary, with South Korea unveiling a special commemorative stamp series to celebrate)
Customers take photos of balloons and pictures showing K-pop megastars BTS inside a cafe in Seoul on June 12, 2023, on the occasion of the supergroup's 10-year anniversary. Image Credit: AFP

'BTS saved my life'

A special map released by the city government for fans visiting from abroad features 13 locations across the South Korean capital. It includes agency HYBE's office in Yongsan and the historic Gyeongbok Palace, where BTS filmed a special edition of the 'Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon.

Fans said it was worth travelling so far to honour their favourite band. BTS "really saved my life", Claudia Agustin, 23, a fan from Indonesia who works in accounting, told AFP in Seoul, adding that their lyrics had spoken to her during difficult periods of her life. She said she was "really, really proud" of the group's 10-year anniversary.

Customers leave a cafe with a poster of K-pop megastars BTS displayed outside the premises in Seoul.
Customers leave a cafe with a poster of K-pop megastars BTS displayed outside the premises in Seoul. Image Credit: AFP

"I know how they've been struggling from back in their debut days and then they really make it big. Now everyone really knows them," she added.

Starting Monday, important tourist spots across Seoul, including the Namsan Seoul Tower and Dongdaemun Design Plaza, will be lit up in purple - ARMY's colour - in celebration of the anniversary.

Pedestrians walk past a poster of K-pop megastars BTS outside a cafe in Seoul on June 12, 2023, on the occasion of the supergroup's 10-year anniversary. Fans of K-pop megastars BTS flocked to hotspots around Seoul on June 12 to mark the supergroup's 10-year anniversary, with South Korea unveiling a special commemorative stamp series to celebrate.
Pedestrians walk past a poster of K-pop megastars BTS outside a cafe in Seoul. Image Credit: AFP

BTS members who are not doing their military service yet have been busy with their solo careers - with Jimin releasing his six-track solo album "Face" in March. It is likely part of a carefully planned strategy, experts said. "The most significant part of BTS' 10th anniversary is that they're still here and together as BTS," Jeff Benjamin, Billboard's K-pop columnist, told AFP.

Pedestrians walk past posters celebrating the 10-year anniversary of K-pop megastars BTS.
Pedestrians walk past posters celebrating the 10-year anniversary of K-pop megastars BTS. Image Credit: AFP

"Every male K-pop group will need to pause or transition due to South Korea's mandatory military service but not every group is adequately prepared as BTS has with preplanned music and content that holds significant meaning.

"Even the new song itself 'Take Two' speaks specifically to this new chapter of BTS with their fans," Benjamin added.