BTS has added yet another historic milestone to its already unparalleled YouTube legacy.
On January 4 at approximately 2:50 p.m. KST, the music video for BTS’s 2019 hit ‘Boy With Luv’ featuring Halsey officially surpassed 1.9 billion views on YouTube, making it the second Korean boy group music video ever to reach the mark.
#BTS‘s “Boy With Luv” Becomes 2nd K-Pop Boy Group MV To Hit 1.9 Billion Viewshttps://t.co/oBxVh0ndsx pic.twitter.com/7JaGUFsKQK
— Soompi (@soompi) January 4, 2026
What makes the achievement even more significant is this: the first Korean boy group music video to hit 1.9 billion views was also by BTS — ‘Dynamite.’ With this latest milestone, BTS becomes the first K-pop boy group in history to reach 1.9 billion views with two separate music videos, further cementing their dominance on the world’s largest video platform.
‘Boy With Luv’ was originally released on April 12, 2019, at 6 pm KST, as the lead single from the album Map of the Soul: Persona. The video reached 1.9 billion views in just over six years, eight months, and 22 days, an extraordinary run for a song released well before the recent boom of short-form video platforms and algorithm-driven streaming cycles.
At the time of its release, ‘Boy With Luv’ represented a stylistic pivot for BTS. Bright, playful, and unapologetically pop-driven, the song contrasted sharply with the darker themes of their previous era, Love Yourself: Tear. Featuring American singer-songwriter Halsey, the track blended polished pop melodies with BTS’s signature charm, resulting in one of the most accessible and globally embraced songs of their career.
The music video itself played a major role in its longevity. Set against colorful theatrical backdrops and filled with vibrant choreography, cinematic set changes, and subtle storytelling elements, ‘Boy With Luv’ became a repeat-view favorite among fans and casual viewers alike. Its upbeat energy and universal appeal helped it transcend language barriers, making it one of BTS’s most recognizable visuals worldwide.
Commercially, the song debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2019, marking BTS’s highest-charting entry at the time. It also topped charts in multiple countries and became one of the most-streamed K-pop songs of its era across platforms. Over the years, it has remained a staple in BTS’s discography, frequently rediscovered by new fans entering the fandom long after its initial release.
The achievement also highlights BTS’s unique YouTube longevity. While many viral hits experience sharp peaks followed by rapid declines, BTS’s major releases continue to accumulate views steadily years after debut — driven by a global fanbase, consistent discovery by new audiences, and sustained cultural relevance.
With ‘Dynamite’ and now ‘Boy With Luv’ both surpassing 1.9 billion views, BTS stands alone among K-pop boy groups in YouTube history. No other act has achieved this milestone twice, underscoring the group’s rare ability to combine mass appeal, visual storytelling, and enduring replay value.
As BTS prepares for its highly anticipated full-group comeback in March 2026, milestones like this serve as reminders that their past releases are not merely nostalgic artifacts — they remain active, living parts of global pop culture.
More than six years after its debut, ‘Boy With Luv’ isn’t just being watched.
It’s still being celebrated.
And once again, BTS is making history — quietly, steadily, and on its own terms.