In the past couple of years, BTS, a South Korean boy group consisting of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, have taken both their country and the western world by storm as they accumulate an unparalleled, unprecedented, and fast-growing fanbase called ARMY. With meaningful and positive lyrics as well as a genuine passion for their art, BTS has been compared to some of the greatest artists and bands across history for their massive popularity. 

Now, as the number of their international fans grows by the day, they have launched their second world tour: Map of the Soul, with concerts across the US, South Korea, Europe (London, Berlin, and Barcelona), and Japan. 

While the official setlist for their tour has not been released, songs from their 2019 EP Map of the Soul: Persona, and their recent critically acclaimed full-length album Map of the Soul: 7 will definitely be performed. 

Their fans are incredibly excited about the concert, some even planning to surprise the members with actions such as holding hands during one of their more emotional songs to their fans. 

“There’s a petition online to have a surprise for [BTS], I think to sing Born Singer, one of their older songs talking about their journey as artists,” said Khushi Kumbagowdana (‘21), who is going to the Map of the Soul Levi Stadium concert in April. 

What makes this tour so heavily anticipated is the large success of their last Love Yourself World Tour. With large dance numbers, solos from each member, and emotional performances, BTS sold out many of their venues during this tour, the most notable being Wembley Stadium in London, where the arena was sold out in just 90 minutes. 

Kiersten Ways (‘21) described her experience at the Love Yourself tour as an amazing experience. 

“It was awesome to be surrounded by people all with the same interests and all inspired by the same group! The impact that BTS has had on the world is really shown through these concerts. Everyone is brought together despite the language barrier to enjoy just good music,” said Ways. 

The septet itself has separated itself from other artists in K-pop, through their unique sound and strong self-love message. Essentially pioneering the push of a completely new genre into western mainstream pop as well as advocating for real-world issues such as with their partnership with UNICEF to campaign against violence toward and children and teenagers, BTS has won the hearts of people across the world. 

In fact, BTS means more than just their music for fans. To many, the Map of the Soul tour speaks of the incredible power of music and its ability to bring people together. 

“BTS is one of the first groups to have a world tour, usually K-pop groups stay based in Korea, so to have an international tour in places where they don’t speak the language, they’re spreading both their culture and other cultures. It reflects in both how they treat their fans and their music,” said Megan Sun (‘20). 

In the last couple of weeks, BTS has made appearances on the Tonight Show hosted by Jimmy Fallon, where they performed the title track from their new album, “ON,” and the Late Late Show hosted by James Corden where they participated in a highly requested Carpool Karaoke. 

Overall, the power of music and a positive message brought an originally small group called BTS to the forefront of pop culture all across the world, and the group’s upcoming Map of the Soul world tour is a testament of how much they have influenced music as a whole.