20 Things You Didn't Know About BTS
10. Cultural Merit Award
The Hwagwan Order Of Cultural Merit is awarded to those from South Korea who provide "outstanding meritorious services in the fields of culture and art, in the interest of promoting the national culture and national development".
If you're awarded it, you make South Korea look good and bring in a load of money to the economy. Normally awarded to veteran artists as a kind of lifetime achievement award recognizing them for their role in promoting Korean culture and language throughout the world, in 2018 BTS became the youngest recipients of this honour.
It's no surprise really, as the band's message of self-love has resonated with people all around the world, and even stepped away from the music. The band have partnered with UNICEF to form a charity called LOVE MYSELF, and leader of the band RM has given a speech to the United Nations on the importance of taking care of yourself. So, how well has this message positioned them at the forefront of the Hallyu?
A study by the Hyundai Research Institute found that BTS is the reason why 1 in every 13 tourists visited the country in 2017, and their ARMY's use of South Korean food, cosmetics and clothing meant stock worth and exports alike rose sharply.
All in all, it's estimated that the band bring in about 4,212,864,000,000 won ($3.6 billion, £2.75 billion) to the economy every year.