South Korean boy band BTS are breaking America (Picture: EPA/MIKE NELSON)

Korean pop superstars BTS still aren’t huge outside their native country but the band look set to spend 2018 sliding into the consciousness of the Western World – especially as the seven-piece band were played as an intro track to the opening of an NBA match between Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunders recently.

A huge accolade for the K-pop band.

The song, Mic Drop (Steve Aoki Remix), has also been played during a break in an NBA match, and during an NHL hockey match between Ottawa Senators and the New York Rangers, as fans have noted.

In addition to the three NBA games, #MicDropRemix also played during an NHL Ottawa vs. New York game.@BTS_twt @steveaoki @LifeOfDesiigner Unstoppable. (Vid was posted by BTSpop, so if anyone knows who the rightful owner of the video is, pls lmk, so I can give proper credit). pic.twitter.com/TVMr1j63TJ — Golden Noonas (@Golden_Noonas) January 4, 2018

The gradually widening presence of Korean pop music in the Western world is a sure sign of a triumphant year of growth for K-pop.




BTS also performed at New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in Los Angeles, and were named in Billboard’s Top 10 best artists of 2017.

They also made a big splash at the American Music Awards, where they performed alongside the likes of Lady Gaga, Shawn Mendes and Demi Lovato.

BTS perform during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve (Picture: Getty Images for dcp)

The band recently confirmed they’d changed the meaning of their name while speaking on Radio Disney.

Member RM explained: ‘Now it means Beyond The Scene, but we had changed the meaning. Originally, in Korean, it means Bulletproof Boyscouts. That’s BTS. Our producer he came up with it.’

RM also explained that being accepted in the States was a giant reward for the band, and a leap of faith by Americans.

‘The AMAs didn’t treat us as a curious novelty from Asia, but showed us respect and treated us as an important part of the show,’ he said.

Got a showbiz story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you.

MORE: SHINee’s Jonghyun named among 2017’s most handsome men as BTS’ Kim Tae-Hyung tops the list

MORE: Seventeen’s Jeonghan speaks out after stage fall at MBC Gayo Daejejeon