BT21 is a line of characters created by BTS group members. When developing merchandise for the group, instead of making avatars for each group member, they decided to have each band member create their own character. I think this is brilliant! On September 26, LINE FRIENDS revealed a total of eight new BT21 characters through its LINE STORE and official BT21 social media channels.
You can watch the Making of BT21 here. There are 13 episodes total.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvteA1S67AOPUmzbpJJCRTVE9YNuaRBis
In the end, they came up with the following characters, each representing one of the BTS group members in personality, taste, and values.
The origin story of BT21 is that Tata, who was always curious about everything outside of his universe, decided to become a superstar on Earth after accidentally landing there during his travels. He began a journey with members RJ, Chimmy, Cooky, Mang, Shooky and Koya to become BT21, becoming a global superstar.
BTS Characters Names:
Mang – A pony wearing a mask who is good at dancing.
Tata – A curious heart from BT Planet
Chimmy – A passionate puppy that tries hard at everything.
Cooky – A bunny with a twist who dreams of being strong.
Van – A space robot, the protector of BT21
RJ – A llama who is kind and polite, the cutest while mumbling. Wears a parka because it gets cold easily.
Shooky – A magic cookie with special powers, who is afraid of milk.
Koya – A smart panda who is a deep thinker, but always looks sleepy.
I went to the LINE store in Hongdae to check out the latest merchandise and visit the cafe. There are BT21 plushies, BT21 handy personal fans, hair accessories, laptop cases, notebooks, folders, puzzles, pens, socks, and more. At the downstairs cafe (B Round Cafe by LINE Friends), I had the Koya drink which is a lychee smoothie. It’s actually dispensed from one of those automatic slushy machines like they have at American 7-11 so it’s not exactly fancy – basically a lychee slushy. I think they could have put more effort into creating better menu items. However the downstairs area is a great place to relax and take photos with the BT21 characters.
If you are wondering whether to go to the Itaewon LINE Friends Store or the one in Hongdae, I have been to both and I think that the Itaewon store actually has more BT21 merchandise. However the Hongdae store has a nice space downstairs where you can take photos with the BT21 characters. If you are interested in the other LINE Characters, however, you should probably go to the Itaewon store because there is a really nice display with the other characters on the second floor, and there is a lot more character merchandise there (not just BT21). Also the cafe in Itaewon has a more extensive menu with cute and delicious items.
BTS is a k-pop boy band known as the Bangtan Boys or “Bangtan Songyontan.” The names of the group members are Jin, J-Hope, Jimin, Jungkook, RM (formerly known as Rap Monster), Suga and V. The group got its start in 2010, when RM first met Bang Si Hyuk, the group’s executive producer and CEO of BigHit Entertainment, based in Seoul. BigHit Entertainment held auditions for the other members over two years, and the group debuted in 2013 as Bangtan Sonyeondan, which means Bulletproof Boy Scouts, with their album “2 Cool 4 Skool.” They rose to fame in Korea, and on the international stage, performing at the 2108 Billboard Music Awards. BTS was the first K-POP group to win the Top Social Artist Award at the Billboard Music Awards.
Directions to LINE Store Hongdae L7 (Flagship store)
Subway stop is Hongik University Station. Go out of Exit 1 and walk straight, you will see the LINE store on your right side in about 200 meters.
Address: 141 Yanghwa-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, 서울특별시
Phone: 02-322-9631
Directions to LINE Store Itaewon:
Subway stop is Itaewon, Exit 3. Go out and walk straight, you will see the LINE store in less than 5 minutes.
Address: 04405 200 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Phone: +82 2-790-0901