South Korean boy band BTS has enjoyed immense fame for a decade, but behind the glamour lies a story of struggle, hard work, and sheer tenacity to make it in the entertainment industry. And what better way to understand one of the biggest boy bands in the world than through a documentary? Today, we present the top 8 BTS documentaries, listed from newest to oldest, that inspiringly capture the band’s tireless efforts to stay at the top of the dynamic world of pop culture.
BTS documentaries give fans, or ARMYs, unprecedented access to the private lives of the seven members: Jungkook, V, Jimin, SUGA, RM, J-Hope, and Jin. In the 2018 hit “Burn the Stage: The Movie,” fans can alternate between clips from the Wings tour and nostalgic footage from their childhoods and teenage years. Meanwhile, documentaries like “Jimin’s Production Diary” (2023) and “SUGA | Agust D TOUR ‘D-DAY’ The Movie” (2024) focus on the solo careers of BTS members. BTS’ solo documentaries include insights into how Jimin and SUGA’s solo albums and tours came together, as well as intimate behind-the-scenes moments with the artists and their loved ones.
Suga’s Agust D Tour “D-DAY” has also become the highest-grossing concert film so far in 2024. According to Billboard, the film, one of the best BTS documentaries, grossed more than $10.16 million worldwide during its run from April 10 to 14, 2024.
Mark Allenby, CEO of ticket sales platform Trafalgar, said in a statement, “We are incredibly excited by the incredible response to SUGA│Agust D TOUR ‘D-DAY’ THE MOVIE. This is not only a true testament to SUGA’s artistry and his ability to inspire fans, but also demonstrates the strong appetite for event movie experiences around the world.”
Let’s not forget Jungkook’s upcoming documentary, “I AM STILL,” which follows Jungkook’s musical process from his pre-release single “Seven” to the making of his full-length debut solo album, “Golden.” Sources say “I AM STILL” is scheduled to hit theaters on September 18, 2024.
The best BTS documentaries offer a personal glimpse into the boy band’s journey
1
/8
SUGA | August D TOUR ‘D-DAY’ The Movie (2024)
IMDb rating: 8.1
Director: Park Jun-soo
Starring: Suga, Jimin, RM, Jungkook
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 24 minutes
Summary: Suga becomes the first BTS member to embark on a solo world tour with SUGA | Agust D TOUR D-DAY. The grand finale of the journey includes all encore shows at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, plus backstage and a special duet stage featuring band members Jimin, RM, and Jungkook.
Trivia: This documentary provides a raw insight into SUGA | Agust D TOUR D-DAY, which has raked in over $57.2 million as of August 7, 2024, making it the highest-grossing tour by a Korean solo artist.
IMDb rating: 9
Director: Park Jun-soo
Starring: J-Hope, Boogaloo King, Jungkook
Journey time: Approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes
Synopsis: To make his 12th year in the industry special, J-Hope and his former dance instructor, Boogaloo Kin, scour the streets of Osaka, Seoul, Paris, New York and Gwangju in search of talented dancers. Along the way, the two meet many street dancers and perform an explosive dance routine that connects J-Hope to his roots.
3
/8
Jimin’s Production Diary (2023)
IMDb rating: 8.4
Director: Park Jun-soo
Starring: Jimin, Pdogg, Jungkook, RM
Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 7 minutes
Summary: Jimin is gearing up for his first solo album, FACE, which includes the single “Like Crazy,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The members of BTS overcome countless sleepless nights, recording sessions, and self-doubt to make FACE a success.
IMDb rating: 8.4
Director: Park Jun-soo
Starring: SUGA, Anderson .Paak, Steve Aoki
Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes
Synopsis: As Suga works on his new album, he embarks on a musical journey, traveling the world in search of inspiration for his debut solo album, “D-Day,” connecting with artists from Seoul to Tokyo to Las Vegas and more.
IMDb rating: 8.5
Director: Park Jun-soo
Starring: J-HOPE, J.Cole, Becky G, Jimin
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes
Summary: For 200 days, J-Hope struggles to make his solo debut a success. The Korean rapper works on his album “Jack in the Box,” organizes listening parties in Korea, and finally prepares for his Lollapalooza debut.
IMDb rating: 8.4
Director: Park Jun-soo
Starring: Jungkook, V, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, Jin
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Summary: The members of BTS embark on a 14-month journey for their Love Yourself world tour. Throughout the tour, the seven singers explain how they separate themselves from their onstage personas to stay sane in showbiz.
7
/8
Bring the Soul: The Movie (2019)
IMDb rating: 8.4
Director: Park Jun-soo
Starring: Jungkook, V, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, Jin
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Summary: As BTS performs in various cities as part of their Love Yourself world tour, the seven members have an emotional conversation about the band’s future on a Paris rooftop after the tour’s European leg.
8
/8
Burn the Stage: The Movie (2018)
IMDb rating: 8.5
Director: Park Jun-soo
Starring: Jungkook, V, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, Jin
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes
Summary: The members of BTS have just finished their 2017 The Wings Tour, which drew over 500,000 fans across 19 countries. The accomplishment has catapulted them into the global spotlight, but the difficulties and anxieties the members face along the way have taken a toll on them.
Trivia: The BTS documentary is an adaptation of the group’s 2018 YouTube documentary series, “Burn the Stage.” Upon its release, the first episode of the series became the 10th most-watched non-music video on YouTube in South Korea.
(Hero and featured images: Courtesy of Weverse)
Notes:
The information in this article is accurate as of the publication date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which is the highest grossing BTS documentary?
Some of the highest-grossing BTS documentaries include “SUGA | Agust D TOUR ‘D-DAY’ The Movie,” “Burn the Stage: The Movie,” “Jimin’s Production Diary,” and “HOPE ON THE STREET.”
What upcoming BTS documentaries are coming out?
The most highly anticipated BTS documentary is Jungkook’s “I AM STILL,” which follows Jungkook’s musical process from his pre-release single “Seven” to the making of his full-length debut solo album “Golden.” According to sources, “I AM STILL” is scheduled to be released in theaters on September 18, 2024.
Which BTS documentaries were released in theaters?
The BTS documentaries that have been released in theaters include “SUGA | Agust D TOUR ‘D-DAY’ The Movie,” “BREAK THE SILENCE: THE MOVIE,” and “BRING THE SOUL: THE MOVIE.”
What was BTS’ first documentary film?
BTS’ first official documentary film was Burn the Stage: The Movie (2018).