After Billboard, BTS takes on TIME!

South Korean boy group BTS is all about international recognition this year. After making history at the Billboard Music Awards, the septet took a spot on TIME magazine’s “25 Most Influential People On the Internet in 2017”.

Rap Monster, Jin, Suga, Jimin, V, J-Hope and Jung Kook joined Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, the president of USA, award-winning singer Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and hip-hop superstar Chance the Rapper, among others in the third annual roundup of the list.

The American weekly news magazine recognized BTS popularity and growing influence, especially in social media. It noted of the group’s feat at Billboard’s “Social 50” chart, where it overtook Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez.

BTS took the top spot in the said chart for 27 weeks, which, according to the magazine, is an impressive feat for any artist.

“It’s especially so for BTS, a Korean boy band whose seven members have managed to cultivate a virtual fan base that could give the Beyhive a run for its money,” wrote TIME.

Aside from its achievements on social media, TIME also recognized the achievements of the group for their releases such as ranking 26th at “Billboard 200” for their Wings album.

BTS’s rank at the chart is the highest-ever debut for a K-Pop album.

For its “25 Most Influential People On the Internet in 2017” list, TIME magazine sized up contenders by looking at their global impact on social media and their overall ability to drive news.