Until now, BTS has released many albums, ranging from single albums, mini-albums, full albums, to Japanese albums. BTS’s name became more popular after winning the Top Social Artist Award at the Billboard Music Awards in 2017 and becoming the first K-Pop group to win at the prestigious award event. Since their debut to date, BTS has taken home hundreds of awards both in Korea and internationally. BTS officially turned seven years old, on June 13th, 2020. BTS went through quite a long road before reaching the success they enjoy today. The song “No More Dream” was only able to occupy the 124th position on the Korean charts before finally leaving the list. The single “We Are Bulletproof Pt. 2” didn’t even get into the local music charts. Conditions began to improve after BTS released O! RUL8,2? with the leading song “N.O” that managed to occupy the 92nd position in Korean charts at the time. Now, BTS has become one of the boy groups from South Korea who have succeeded in developing wings into the wilderness of the world of music. Their latest album and songs are maintaining high positions on the Billboard charts for weeks. In this article, Channel-Korea will provide you with detailed information about BTS’ activities throughout 2020. Starting from the album release in celebration of their 7th anniversary, trying new things during quarantine, to their latest news. So, stay tuned!
Seven Years With BTS With The Album Map of The Soul: 7
On January 7th, 2020, BTS announced the release of their album Map of the Soul: 7 on February 21st, 2020, at 6 o’clock KST. The album is a sequel to their album titled Map of the Soul: Persona which was released in 2019. The single titled “ON” reflects BTS’ experience since their debut seven years ago to the acceptance of the challenges that emerged as a result. This is their 4th full album since debuting in 2013, as well as BTS’ first comeback since releasing Map of the Soul: Persona in April 2019. Map of the Soul: 7 is an album that tells the story of the seven years of BTS together as a team. This album contains honesty about oneself: ‘I am complete,’ which embraces the ‘I want to show myself to the world’ side, and the ‘I want to hide’ side. BTS members want to convey various messages through each song they bring.
Ugh: Contains social criticism. 00:00: About everyday events, the BTS vocal line is sung. Friends: Contains peers, sung by Jimin and V. Respect: Combines RM and Suga’s rap. Filter: Presented by Jimin with various charms. My Time: The story of Jungkook who looks back seven years. Inner Child: V’s message to his young self in the past. Moon: BTS’ love for their fans ARMY. We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal: The sequel to the debut single “We Are Bulletproof.” Louder Than Bombs: Collaboration with Troye Sivan. ON: Has a digital version that is a collaboration with Sia.
For every album release, BTS holds a special comeback which airs on V Live as a form of celebration. This time, for the release of Map of the Soul: 7, BTS held the event with the theme ‘BTS Comeback Special: I Purple You,’ which aired precisely on the album release date on February 21st, 2020, at 11 p.m. KST. In the showcase event, BTS introduced in-depth the philosophy of the songs and the album Map of the Soul: 7 as a whole. In addition, BTS also shared stories about the preparation process for the release of Map of the Soul: 7 including making concept photos, album leaks, choreography, to playing games. One day before the release of the album Map of the Soul: 7, BTS left for New York, the United States, on February 20th, 2020, in order to promote their album.
Comeback Stage
BTS Members Try New Things During Quarantine
Quarantine occurs almost all over the world including South Korea, also urging its citizens to stay at home and keep their social or physical distance. Regional quarantine limits the activities of everyone, including BTS members. Jin, RM, Suga, Jungkook, V, J-Hope, and Jimin postponed their world concert schedule for the safety of the fans. But they would not be the Bangtan Boys if they don’t use the time efficiently as much as possible. Each BTS member apparently has his own way of spending time during the quarantine. Even at home, it seems BTS members still have a busy and fun time. These are the productive activities carried out by BTS members amid quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic, or COVID-19.
RM Shares Planning With BTS Members
The leader of BTS, RM, revealed that his group is preparing a new album. Through live broadcasts on the BANGTANTV YouTube channel, he shared a number of plans and preparations for the next BTS comeback with his fans who are commonly known by the name ARMY. “I’m sure many of you have guessed now, we will release another album. We have begun to prepare for it. We will share the preparation process with you,” said RM. Furthermore, RM said that no details had been decided until now because he and his group had just started talking about it. “We are not sure when the album will be released… But even though we don’t know what the final result will be, we will do our best,” RM said. Through his broadcast, he also shared a number of news from him and other members while in their respective homes because of the coronavirus pandemic. RM said, with the cancellation of a number of concerts and other schedules, BTS members are interested in trying new things to stay connected with the ARMY. “We just want to share what we have done to feel more connected and we do a lot together,” he said. “From now on, we plan to share our lives with you once a week,” said RM.
Suga Trying To Paint
Suga did a V Live broadcast on April 24th, 2020. This is the second broadcast of a BTS member after RM did in the framework of #StayConnected with global fans amid the COVID-19 outbreak. This time, Suga challenged himself to do some painting. Although previously Suga did not have much experience in painting, he did not take long to enjoy the activity. Silently and concentrating on his art, he was surprised when he realized that 20 minutes had passed. Suga also said that his mother did painting as a hobby. Feeling that he found excitement in painting, he said, “Now I know why people paint. This feels very soothing. Just like when I make music, I follow my instincts. I feel this will be a great hobby.” At the end of the show, Suga said that he knew what he wanted to paint, but because he felt it would not be finished within an hour, he stopped it and would upload the results later on Twitter and Weverse.
J-Hope Dances
On a live broadcast on BTS’ official YouTube account, BANGTANTV, J-Hope shared his activities in the practice room of Big Hit Entertainment. The live broadcast was recorded by J-Hope on April 28th, 2020, in the framework of #StayConnected with BTS fans, ARMY. In the live broadcast that aired for 1 hour past 4 minutes, J-Hope showed his amazing dancing abilities.
Jimin Talked About Being A Project Manager
On May 1st, 2020, Jimin became the next BTS member to hold a relaxed live broadcast on the official BTS YouTube channel, BANGTANTV. Jimin shared a new update about the upcoming group album. This live broadcast was part of the #StayConnected initiative. In a previous live stream, the BTS leader, RM, revealed that the group was working on an album. Not only that, but Suga also shared that the members had decided who would be responsible for what part of the production process. “Our album this time will be produced by us, so we chose the PM (project manager). I am the music project manager. Suga gave his opinion very strongly,” said Jimin. “He told me ‘I want you to be closer to music through this’ and he highly recommended (that role to me). I am grateful for his opinion,” continued Jimin. Jimin went on to explain his duties as PM in the production of this new BTS album. He also mentioned that the members’ opinions were important in the production of the album. “I don’t know yet exactly how I will proceed, but I am working hard to be able to help. As a PM, all I can do now is ask members how they want to work, what stories they want to convey, how many songs they want to do, what song style, what composition will be made, which members will be suitable for what, and communicate this to the label,” said Jimin. Jimin added that the members had met recently to discuss all this. He briefly showed fans a document with all the members’ opinions written. “Members shared more opinions with me after that, so I will add them and email them. Organizing the members’ words is more fun than you think. There is a sense of pride in managing members’ opinions and communicating them (to the agency). I will send this now,” Jimin closed.
