Why ‘Map of the Soul:7’ is BTS’s Most Honest and Sought-Out Record
Bestselling Global Album Of 2020?
Do you know BTS?
BTS comprises of 7 boys from different parts of South Korea, winning over hearts worldwide. The septet is made up of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.
In terms of their past record of pre-orders of their overall discography, ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ had 4.02 million copies alone. Mind you, we have yet to talk about the numbers on iTunes, Spotify, Melon Charts, or YouTube views.
The Manifesto
On Friday, 21st February 2020, the Kinetic Manifesto: Come Prima for their single ‘ON’ was released. Simultaneously, all 20 tracks of their long-awaited album were revealed — 15 of which are brand-new.
After the manifesto film’s release, the track debuted at the top of major realtime charts — also setting a new record for the highest number of unique listeners in the first hour on the Melon charts.
It was interesting that the band and their label have chosen to express their track through a kinetic manifesto film, as most would expect an official music video. A ‘film manifesto’ expresses a creator’s feelings — who they are, and the purpose of why they create. When a snippet of ‘ON’ was teased on their TikTok account, these words stood out clearly:
“Can’t hold me down cause you know I’m a fighter; Bring it on, bring the pain on.”
In their interview with the Recording Academy, bandleader RM explained: “This time we talked about the real shades and shadows that we had inside, and also the big manifesto that we admitted: all the shadows as our destinies and we’re gonna carry on.” It’s clearer now why ‘ON’ was given it’s own manifesto film — the track truly embodies BTS and their beliefs as a whole.
Aside from the good things (luxuries, recognition, the support of their fanbase), they strive to be honest about the struggles they go through underneath their image. As Suga shared in an interview with the Zach Sang Show, “There is no growth without pain.” Accepting that we have our dark sides is one thing, but how we choose to deal with them is another. Suga shares further: “You must face your inner shadows, but resist becoming submerged into its depths. You must face it and move forward.”
This album allows listeners to know deeper about the band on a personal level.
‘Map of the Soul: 7’ addresses the struggles they face in their lives as an artist.
The first track that was revealed was Suga’s ‘Interlude: Shadow’:
This track was his honest depiction of how we thrive on fame and recognition — yet no one talks about how lonely that life is. He touches on how fame feels fleeting, and how we have to address both the pretty and the ugly parts of ourselves. Since the album’s release, the full version of the track has been revealed — surprising fans with an additional verse which was not present in the music video.
An art film with MN Dance Company dancers was released to promote another track off their album — ‘Black Swan’:
Through the lyrics, the members talk about the fear of losing passion for what they love. The film starts with a quote by Martha Graham which reads:
“a dancer dies twice — once when they stop dancing, and this first death is more painful”
RM and Suga both address this overall theme through their verses — “If this can no longer resonate, No longer make my heart vibrate, Then like this may be how, I die my first death.”
Despite the catchy beat, the members are all chiming in about their struggle — how losing their passion makes them feel hollow, suffocated, and lost. “Every noise and sound’s been cut; Killin’ me now, killin’ me now.”
But there is a turning point in this track. J-Hope and Suga come in for another two verses, saying: “But I’ll never get dragged away again; Inside I saw myself.” Jungkook and Jin followed with a pre-chorus, singing, “Nothing can devour me, I shout out with ferocity”.
This overall theme of not giving up despite the struggle fits in very well with their lead single ‘ON’ — that they will choose to stand the pain, so bring it on!
J-Hope comes in with his solo track, ‘Outro: Ego’, concluding the rappers’ solo tracks:
Ego was a light-hearted track — sound-wise. In terms of its lyrics and music video concept, J-Hope recounts his past — reminiscing how these events shaped him into who he was, who he is, and who he wishes to be. There is a more hopeful vibe in this track, as he learns to trust himself.
‘Persona’ was about finding out who we are, ‘Shadow’ was about addressing the dark sides and our struggles, while ‘Ego’ was about learning to trust the process and ourselves.
The process of making ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ served as a healing process for the band members.
During their global press conference for ‘Map of the Soul: 7’, RM shared that he had cried several times when he was working on some of the tracks. Particularly when he was working on ‘Black Swan’, ‘We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal’, and ‘Louder Than Bombs’.
Aside from personal growth, this album has given the members a chance to grow musically. In their Variety interview, J-Hope said: “This album really gave me a chance to really think about myself and I put a lot of it into the music. When you listen to it, you will learn a lot about us as well.” Youngest member Jungkook chimed in, “I kind of learned and figured out how precious music is and how important it is to me.”
When they were asked on lessons they learned through the past 7 years, V shared in their Variety interview that he’s learned to cherish what is important to him. The members of BTS all started off as strangers, but they have since become some of the most important and precious people to him.
The impact: From ‘No More Dream’ to Dream
‘Map of the Soul:7' has made a huge impact since its release.
The Korea Music Content Association has since announced that ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ has achieved the highest first-week sales in Gaon Chart history with their latest album. According to Hanteo chart, at least 2.65 million copies was sold in its first day of sales alone.
Their newest album may very well be on track to become the group’s fourth №1 album in the US. According to a Forbes contributor, ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ is already the best-selling global album of 2020. The album has also topped the iTunes Top Albums charts in at least 91 different regions, setting a new record for the group.
