With 19 songs and one digital track, seven-member Korean Pop (K-Pop) band, BTS (Beyond the Scene or Bangtan Sonyeondan), made history with their most self-reflective album yet. Released February 21, 2020, their fourth studio album, Map of the Soul: 7, features a wide variety of emotions and topics.
The album bridged art and music through a dance film and a global art project. This content serves as a commemoration towards both their seven members and seven years as a group.
The members – RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, V, Jimin and Jungkook – range from 22 to 27 years old. Although they’ve lived and trained together since before their debut, each of their personalities and talents shine through their music. From music production and dancing to dad jokes and breaking things, they’ve found many interests of their own.
BTS is part of a genre of music called K-Pop, born in South Korea. While the origins of K-Pop were largely inspired by American Pop in the 90’s, it has grown to something unique to the music world.
For many fans, K-Pop has become a lifestyle. It’s common to collect photo cards and posters of favorite artists, spend hours dissecting the music videos and stay connected with the community surrounding the artist, no matter what language. Each K-Pop fandom typically receives their own handheld lightstick that lights up inside, designed uniquely to the artist and intended for concerts.
K-Pop is less known globally than American Pop, and therefore more difficult to become successful in, although lyrics tend to be in both English and Korean. Yet BTS is one example of a group who rose up past the harsh trainee conditions and hateful comments.
Their origins were humble, but there is no denying the impossible heights reached with Map of the Soul: 7. According to Elite Daily, Some of the records that the album shattered, include the title of the First Artist with 100 Songs on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart, the first Korean band to enter the Billboard Hot 100 in the Top 5 and the first Asian artists to dominate the five largest music markets on the planet (U.S., Japan, U.K, France and Germany).
Perhaps one of BTS’s secrets to success is the authenticity behind their music. Since their debut in 2013, they’ve covered relevant topics from the unpleasant experiences of youth in this generation, the loss of someone you love and learning to love yourself.
Map of the Soul:Persona was the first album of this new chapter in BTS’s career, released in 2019. With Map of the Soul: 7 as the conclusion, it tells the story of seven boys being guided through life by Carl Jung’s philosophical theory of a map. It explains the individual’s search for meaning and self-worth.
One example is the song “Intro: Persona,” where RM raps his way through guitar riffs in attempt to distinguish his ideal self from his personal self. “Interlude: Shadow” by Suga describes the haunting discovery of his “shadow” that oppresses him, even in his incredible fame. The album concludes with J-Hope’s “Outro: Ego,” a reflective and upbeat track about trusting yourself.
Some collaborations include Halsey in the bright and cheery “Boy With Luv,” and a fan-favorite, “Make It Right,” a track penned by Ed Sheeran. “Louder than bombs” was co-written by Australian singer Troye Sivan and combines an addictive mix of rap and vocals with a desperate cry to be heard.
“Black Swan” offers the thought provoking perspective of a musician struggling with a disconnect between their art and themself. Alternatively, “ON” features a marching band and an impressive message of determination when it comes to being an artist.
Of course no BTS album would ever be complete without a few tributes to their fans.
“We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” elicits bittersweet nostalgia for long time fans in the allusion to “We Are Bulletproof pt.2” from BTS’ debut album. The chorus sings sincerely of how they were “only seven” members and experienced the difficulties of depression and torments of coming to terms with their place in the universe.
BTS has come to find meaning through music and the global fandom resembling a family that has brought millions of people together with their empowering themes.
With an impending television series dedicated to their lives, BTS proved once again why they’re considered one of the biggest bands in the world.
