A Look Back at the Map of the Soul Era
BTS continued to blaze new trails in the world of K-pop, earning critical acclaim, commercial success, and a devoted global fanbase. From their chart-topping albums to their record-breaking world tour, BTS redefined what it means to be a pop group in the 21st century.
The “Map of the Soul” era, which began in April 2019 with the release of “Map of the Soul: Persona,” was a time of continued success and growth for BTS. The album featured collaborations with artists like Halsey and Ed Sheeran, and included hit singles like “Boy With Luv” and “Make It Right.”
“Map of the Soul: Persona” was a commercial and critical success, debuting at #1 on the US Billboard 200 and earning BTS their third consecutive nomination for the Billboard Music Award for Top Social Artist. The album also won Album of the Year (2nd Quarter) at the 2019 Gaon Chart Music Awards and Album of the Year at the 2019 Melon Music Awards.
The “Map of the Soul” era continued with the release of the group’s fourth full-length album, “Map of the Soul: 7,” on February 21, 2020. The album included hit singles like “Black Swan” and “ON,” and featured collaborations with artists like Sia and Troye Sivan.
“Map of the Soul: 7” debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200, making BTS the first group since the Beatles to achieve three #1 albums in less than a year. The album also earned BTS their second Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Dynamite.”
In addition to the success of their albums, BTS also embarked on the “Map of the Soul” world tour, which began in Seoul in April 2019 and was set to continue through 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour attracted over 4 million fans and grossed over $200 million, making it one of the highest-grossing tours of all time.
During the “Map of the Soul” era, BTS also won numerous awards, including Top Duo/Group at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, Best Music Video for “ON” at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, and Album of the Year for “Map of the Soul: 7” at the 2020 Melon Music Awards.
BTS Returns
