I like learning. I've been studying Japanese for years now, but it's really hard.

I can't speak for other artists; every group has a different approach. For us, it will always be important to keep working hard, dancing better, writing better songs, touring, and setting an example.

I think we're always doing something for teenagers and youngsters because BTS originally performed itself as a socially conscious band. We always wanted to sell our performances like we did with our debut.

My grades put me in about 5,000th place in all of South Korea. If I kept going down that path, I would've become a successful man with a regular job. However, I was positive I'd be number one in the country as a rapper. So I asked my mother whether she wanted to have a son who was a first-place rapper, or a 5,000th-place student.

I've been very fortunate to work for great people - so even when the political process gets ugly, I find inspiration in the people around me.

In general, what fans talk about and think about become a very important source of inspiration to us, because we want to write something that's real to people, especially those who listen to BTS music.

I certainly understand that we're all trying to make a living, but I'm not thinking about that when I'm making it. And if that's your sole motivation, it's going to reflect that narcissistic greed, and you're going to hear it in the music.

Enthusiasm is the inspiration of everything great. Without it no man is to be feared, and with it none despised.