BTS before Debut Reactions.

Predebut review (2008-2013)

Before debuting in 2013, RM was already performing as an underground rapper and had released several tracks informally, including a collaboration with Zico. Jin had been a student at Konkuk University, majoring in acting, before being streetcast for auditions, while Suga was an underground rapper in Daegu. j-hope, who was part of a street dance team named NEURON, was active in the underground dancing scene, participating in various battles and competitions. Before joining Big Hit, Jimin entered Busan High School of Arts as the top student in modern dance but later transferred to Korea Arts High School with V, who auditioned in Daegu. Jungkook was cast by multiple agencies after leaving auditions for Superstar K, but eventually chose Big Hit after seeing Rap Monster's rap.

Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNsyDNKp9qHCWwuJypxs9E4A5acPbBYsw

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Underground releases

2008-2009

During this period RM released multiple tracks under the name of Largo, Runch Randa and Randa, he was around 15-16 years old. I included some of those releases in this list. He, with Suprema, now known as Supreme Boi, were both active in the underground scene and were both hired by Big Hit later on in 2010 as trainees. Turn on CC for lyrics.

Can We by Runch Randa (aka RM)

This is one of many songs RM released during this period, here he goes by the name of Randa. The original title is unknown.

La La La by Largo (aka RM) & 201Ho (Block B) & 이얀 (Eiyan of Jewelry)

Here RM goes by the name of Largo. The song uses BIGBANG’s “La La La” as the backtrack and includes G-Dragon’s opening lines before Eiyan begins her verse.

필청 최고인듯 (Fuck Cockroachez) by Runch Randa (aka RM) & Nakseo (aka ZICO)

RM collaborated with Zico who debuted as the leader of Block B, a K-pop idol group, he maintains an underground reputation along with mainstream appeal as a Korean idol. Now is active as a solo artist. This song was produced by RM & Zico.

일단 들어봐 (Listen First) by Runch Randa (aka RM)

This is the song RM used to audition for the underground rap crew Big Deal Squad in 2009. He passed the preliminary round and was one of 7 finalists. Though he did not win a place in the Squad, because he forgot the lyrics, RM’s performance caught the attention of Sleepy of the rap duo Untouchable who got RM’s contact info after the show. Sleepy later recommended RM to Pdogg, leading RM to join Big Hit Entertainment in May 2010.

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Releases under Big Hit Entertainment

2010

j-hope (17) passed a JYP audition in his last year of middle school, BigHit saw potential in him as a dancer and rapper and signed him as a trainee. Meanwhile, RM (17) was signed as a rapper and the leader of the future Bangtan Sonyeondan group, Suga (18) auditioned for Big Hit Entertainment as a producer/rapper.

The original formation of Bangtan Sonyeondan group was composed of 3 rappers, RM also the leader, IRON and Supreme Boi. They would go by B.P.B. (BulletProof Boys).

Hoseok dance video

j-hope was an established & award-winning street dancer, he was part of a team called NEURON before auditioning for Big Hit Entertainment.

Seventeen by Rap Monster

This and “Dreamin” are songs released by RM to encourage people to audition for the first Hit It! auditions for Big Hit Entertainment in 2010. It is also the video that convinced JK to sign with Big Hit instead of all the other companies. All applicants were required to make their own lyrics over one of these songs. The first video is RM’s song and the next is the video from when SUGA used the track from “Seventeen” for his successful audition.

Dreamin by Rap Monster

Second song released by RM to encourage people to audition for the first Hit It!. In this song, RM reveals that Epik High’s “Fly” was one of the songs that first inspired him to rap.

Swagger by Suga

After his successful audition, Suga won 2nd place in the Hit It Audition 2010 Finals with this song. He later recorded this final version. Even though he didn't win first place he was signed either way by Big Hit Entertainment as a trainee.

훅가요(Hook가요) (Hook Gayo) by BPB (Rap Monster, Supreme Boi & IRON)

Rap Monster and former BTS’s members, Supreme Boi and Iron released this song as a response to producer and rapper Bravesound. Bravesound allegedly dissed famous JYP producers such as Bang Si Hyuk (aka Hitman Bang PD) in his song “Round and Round”. The song title can be translated as “being finished,” “go downhill,” or “to end (something).”

Diss by Suga

"Min Diss", is an unofficial song produced by Suga. It was released on November 1, 2010..

Ashes by Lim Jeong-hee feat Rap Monster & IRON (feature)

This is a song by Lim Jeong-hee featuring RM and IRON of BPB. It was released on September 30, 2010, as part of Lim Jeong-hee's album. This song is the first BTS pre-debut collaboration and RM's first official feature as part of BTS. Their collab in-progress video was the first Bangtan bomb.

We are bulletproof pt 1 by BPB (Rap Monster, Supreme Boi, IRON)

Originally known as "We Are B.P.B" is an unofficial song by BTS, produced by RM. The song was released in 2010 by the band's original formation (Rap Monster, IRON & Supreme Boi), and was later re-released by the current formation as part of the BTS Festa on June 9, 2015.

Love U, Hate U by 2AM feat. Rap Monster

is a song by 2AM featuring RM of BTS. It was released on October 26, 2010 as part of 2AM's album Saint O'Clock.

2011

In the spring of 2011, the concept of the group shifted from pure hip-hop to more of an idol approach with vocalists. Jin (20), who was cast on the street, Jungkook (15), who chose Big Hit over all other companies because of RM's video, and V (17), who went to the audition to only support his friend, all signed up for Big Hit. As part of this shake-up, Supreme Boi, Iron, and i11evn (winner of Hit it! audition) all left the band. RM and Suga decide to stay, seeing it as an opportunity to get their music heard and trusting Bang PD that they would still have the opportunity to write and create their own music. Supreme Boi would continue being part of Big Hit as a producer, participating in some BTS tracks like Cypher pt 3 and Hangsang for j-hope’s mixtape Hopeworld.

Jungkook - Audition clip (extra content)

14 years old JungKook audition clip for the 3rd season of Superstar K in his hometown of Busan, Korea. The audio quality is not the best but you can see how shy he was. JK says in the video "My name is Jeon Jungkook... Please take good care of me".

Jung Ho Seok - Dance & Rap (extra content)

This video was released to encourage people to audition for Hit It! Auditions 2011. No subs.

Bad girl by Lee Hyun feat Jiyeon,  Rap Monster & IRON (feature)

This is a song by Lee Hyun featuring Jiyeon of Glam, RM & IRON of BPB. It was released on February 15, 2011, as part of Lee Hyun's album You Are the Best of My Life.

A song made to you smile by Lee Seung Gi feat j-hope, Rap Monster & Hareem (feature)

This is a song by Lee Seung Gi featuring RM and j-hope of BTS and Hareem. It was released on October 27, 2011, as part of Lee Seung Gi's album Tonight. This song is the fifth BTS pre-debut collaboration and j-hope's first official feature as part of BTS.

Glory by Rap Monster

was produced and written by RM, and released in 2011. RM has revealed in the past that when he decided to become a K-Pop idol he received quite a bit of backlash from his underground peers, this song refers to that.

Paldogangsan/Satoori Rap performance by Rap Monster, Suga & j-hope

This is an original song by RM, Suga, and j-hope of BTS and it was released pre-debut on August 7, 2011, as an announcement for Big Hit's 2011 Hit It Audition. It would be later included in BTS’s O!RUL8,2? album including all 7 members.

Their appearance on the news was the first true BTS exposure in the media. The reporter explained that their song was a rap song written in dialect and that it rose to #3 on portal sites straight away after being released. The song received a lot of love.

2012

Final member Jimin (18) signed for Big Hit Entertainment as a trainee after his dance instructor recommended him to audition.

Jimin at Just dance academy 

Jimin was an exceptional student at the Busan Arts High School in Contemporary Dance. He was called the "rising star of dancing".

Animal by Jo Kwon feat. Jung Ho-seok (aka j-hope) (feature)

Animal is a digital single by Jo Kwon from 2AM featuring Jung Ho-seok. It was released on June 25, 2012, as part of Jo Kwon's album "I'm Da One". This is j-hope’s first solo featuring and his only song as "Jung Ho-seok" and not as "j-hope" of BTS.

BTS as cameo and backup dancers (extra content)

The members while being trainees had cameos in music videos and tv shows, they would also work as backup dancers for other artists under Big Hit. This video shows BTS’s cuts from those videos.

Waterfalls (Cover) by Rap Monster & JungKook

I decided to include this cover because JK's voice is so sweet. The track was recorded around the time before their debut but it was not officially released until after their debut. The instrumentals are from a single also named ‘Waterfalls’, by Junggigo and were slightly altered by RM and Jungkook, the lyrics were rewritten by RM.

Let's Introduce BANGTAN ROOM by Rap Monster

RM freestyle while introducing Bangtan Room, featuring Jin.

Trouble (Cover) by RM

Is an adapted song by RM of Maejor ft. J. Cole song. There is a couple of RM’s cover songs that can be considered sexy songs, this is one of them. There’s a misconception that Jin also participated in this song because ARMY was not used to hearing RM singing at that time.

Regular girl (Cover) by Rap Monster

Is an adapted song by RM of Chris Brown feat Tyga song. He wrote romantic lyrics like this one too.