New Delhi: BTS has been breaking records and topping charts for over a decade. With their powerhouse performances and genre-defying music, they’ve built an empire that stretches far beyond South Korea. But did you know that some of their songs are banned from broadcasting in their home country?

Yes, even the biggest global sensation isn’t exempt from South Korea’s strict media regulations. Whether it’s explicit language, brand mentions, or even just a BPM too high for gym workouts, these tracks didn’t make the cut.

BTS songs banned in Korea

Let’s break down the eight BTS songs that faced the axe and why. Scroll down to read about them in detail!

1. Cypher Pt. 3: Killer

If BTS had a diss-track hall of fame, the Cypher series would own it. Cypher Pt. 3: Killer from their 2014 album DARK&WILD was banned for excessive profanity and brand name drops. South Korean media regulations don’t take kindly to swear words or commercial references, so this fiery rap anthem was deemed unfit for television.

2. Hold Me Tight

From The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Pt. 1 (2015), Hold Me Tight is a melancholic track about love and longing. But according to reports, it got blacklisted for referencing alcohol. South Korea’s media laws frown upon lyrics that promote drinking, so despite its dreamy sound, this song was cut from TV broadcasts.

3. Converse High

BTS’ love for fashion is no secret, but Converse High from The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Pt. 1 took it a step too far. The song praises iconic brands like Alexander McQueen and Chanel, which led to its ban. South Korean broadcasting rules prohibit excessive brand promotion, making this track a no-go for TV.

4. Dope

This high-energy anthem from The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Pt. 1 has been a concert staple for years. But despite its popularity, Dope was banned for its “vulgar” lyrics. While it’s a fan-favourite, South Korean networks decided it wasn’t appropriate for television.

5. Whalien 52

A metaphor-heavy track from The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Pt. 2, Whalien 52 tells the story of a whale that sings at a frequency no one can hear. However, South Korean censors weren’t listening, either. The song reportedly contains swear words, leading to its ban on TV performances.

6. Go Go

With its playful energy and cheeky lyrics, Go Go from Love Yourself: Her is a certified bop. But not everyone found it amusing. Officials flagged the song for its use of slang and deemed the lyrics “too vulgar” for public broadcasting. However, that hasn’t stopped BTS from performing the track on global stages.

7. Pied Piper

A song about ARMY’s obsession with BTS, Pied Piper is both a love letter and a playful warning. But South Korean censors weren’t charmed. The song was banned for mentioning Twitter—yes, really. Any direct references to social media in lyrics are a no-go for broadcast approval.

8. Permission to Dance

This one isn’t a TV ban, but it’s still wild. Permission to Dance, BTS’ uplifting 2021 hit co-written by Ed Sheeran was blacklisted in South Korean gyms. Why? Health officials restricted songs with a tempo over 120 BPM, fearing they could overexert people during workouts. Talk about a fitness buzzkill!

While these bans may seem strict, they haven’t slowed BTS down one bit. They will finally reunite in the coming months after finishing their mandatory military service.