Bored in self-isolation? Why not learn Korean online with K-pop band BTS

If you have ever thought you'd like to learn a new language or are looking for something fun to do during the long days of COVID-19 self-isolation, Korean band BTS has come to the rescue with the launch of a video series designed to teach Korean to the world.

The popular group, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a seven-member South Korean boy band, whose members formed in Seoul in 2010 as teenagers. Originally a hip hop group, their musical style has evolved to include a wide range of genres and they hold a Guinness World Record for the most Twitter engagements. Their 2020 album, Map of the Soul: 7, is the best-selling album in Korean history, and they 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 artists to enter the chart.

The band's management, Big Hit Entertainment, recently announced the launch of a video series called "Learn Korean with BTS" on the social media app Weverse. Its CEO, Bang Si-Hyuk, explained that the idea for the project came about because fans asked for English subtitles to be applied to the band's videos. He said that the project is intended to give fans a more rewarding and immersive experience, by making it easy for those who have difficulty enjoying BTS's music and contents due to the language barrier to join in the fun.

The project consists of 30 three-minute lessons on Korean expressions and grammar, developed in collaboration with experts at the Korean Language Content Institute and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. The first three episodes were released on 24 March, and subsequent videos will be posted weekly. They use clips from the band’s reality TV series, “Run BTS!” and their YouTube shows.

BTS has also released a YouTube video thanking medical workers who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic and is urging fans to practice social distancing.

Keep up to date with Lonely Planet's latest travel-related COVID-19 news here.

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