A Retrospective Analysis of ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ by BTS

Map of the Soul: 7 is the fourth Korean-language studio album by South Korean boy band BTS. Released on February 21, 2020, by Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE), it serves as a poignant exploration of BTS’s collective journey, delving into themes of introspection, self-discovery, and personal growth. 

Through 20 tracks, the album encapsulates the complexities of the human psyche, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences and emotions. In this retrospective, we will focus on songs unique to this album as it also includes songs from Map of the Soul: Persona, their previous studio album. But regarding the overall structure of the album, it is split into four main sections:

• Persona: This section includes tracks that explore themes of identity, persona, and self-reflection. 
• Shadow: This section delves into deeper and darker emotions, addressing struggles, fears, and the shadow side of one’s self. 
• Ego: This section is centered around themes of self-acceptance, confidence, and embracing one’s true identity
• Seven: This section reflects on the collective journey of BTS and their bond with their fans, known as ARMY.

It is not split this way evenly, but note that the tracks will fall under one of the sections. This album is greatly important to fans as it revolves around “seven.” Seven-member group on their seventh anniversary is even more significant when considering the “seven-year curse” phenomenon in the K-pop industry where many idol groups disband or face significant changes around the seven-year mark of their debut. Here, we will focus on the Shadow, Ego, and Seven sections and the songs representing each.

Shadow

Two songs that intertwine with the more dark parts of the soul are “Interlude: Shadow” and “Black Swan.” “Interlude: Shadow” stars the member Suga as he provides a raw, introspective look at the psychological toll of fame and success, offering a glimpse into the internal struggles faced by those in the spotlight, as we can see in the second verse if the song:

Try smiling, what are you hesitating for?

Wasn’t this the kind of thing you were hoping for?

Or cry instead, what are you scared of?

Wasn’t this the thing you’d been wanting?

The life you hoped for, the life you wanted

The life you chose, you achieved everything without regrets

And on top of that, you have a big house, big cars, big rings

All the things you wanted, you’ve got it all

So what’s the problem? Just enjoy it

Or just let it go, no? Then run, or stop

Don’t whine, just choose one or the other

“Interlude: Shadow” by BTS

These lines encapsulate Suga’s inner turmoil as he grapples with realizing his dream, juxtaposed with the sacrifices made along the way and the ensuing regrets or uncertainties about its worthiness.

“Black Swan,” on the other hand, focuses on the group’s overall struggle, delving into the fear of losing passion and creativity, particularly in the context of being an artist. They acknowledge the fear and doubt that lurk beneath the surface, threatening to overshadow their passion, as we can see in the first and second verses:

Ayy, the heart no longer races

When the music starts to play

Tryna’ pull up

Seems like time has stopped

Oh, that would be my first death

I’ve been always afraid of

If this can no longer resonate

No longer make my heart vibrate 

Then like this may be how

I die my first death

But what if the moment’s right now?

Right now

“Black Swan” by BTS

If music, their perennial source of solace, transitions into something distant and detached, their way of life would be irrevocably altered, echoing the solemnity of death.

Ego

“Filter” and “Outro: Ego” represent this section phenomenally, evoking a thoughtful perspective for the struggles and messages they represent within “Ego.” “Filter,” starring Jimin as the only member in the track, reflects on how he constantly changes parts of himself he presents to others to be more desirable. It is on the darker side of the ego as he is enveloped in the need to change in a way that is not true to himself, as seen in the chorus:

Mix the colors in the palette, pick your filter

Which me do you want?

To change your world, I’m your filter 

Overlay me in your heart

“Filter” by BTS

The song invites listeners to consider the authenticity of their self-expression and its motivations, highlighting the importance of introspection and self-awareness in navigating the complexities of ego.

“Outro: Ego” J-Hope stars the track as he depicts the journey of cultivating trust in one’s ego, drawing inspiration from the famous archetype conceptualized by psychologist Carl Jung, who heavily influenced the Map of the Soul era. According to Jung, the ego represents the central aspect of consciousness, embodying one’s identity and self-awareness. We can see J-Hope reflect on this concept in the second verse:

Life not of J-Hope but Jeong Hoseok flashes by

It must have been full of regret with no hope till I die

My dancing was my chasing ghosts

Blaming my dream, asking why I live and breathe

Oh my God

Uh time goes by

Seven years of anguish come out finally

Oppressions all resolved

Into my heart come answers from my most trusted

Only one hope, only one soul

Only one smile, only one you

Define answer to the truth of the world

Only one and unchanging me, right

“Outro: Ego” by BTS

In these lyrics, we see him reflect on his past experiences and various identities, ultimately realizing that he trusts the person he has been, who he is at present, and who he will be in the future.

Seven

The two songs representing the group’s journey and love for their fans, ARMY, are “Moon” and “We are Bulletproof: The Eternal.” “Moon,” featuring member Jin in the track, expresses his love for ARMY, drawing parallels with the Earth and the Moon. He uses the parallel to portray the comfort and meaning they bring to his life, as seen in the second verse:

I didn’t even have a name 

Until I met you

You gave me your love

And now have become my reason

You are my Earth

I’m just a Moon to you

Your little star that lights up your heart

You are my Earth

And all I see is you

The only thing I can do is to gaze at you like this

“Moon” by BTS

Jin reminisces on his life before being part of BTS and how now, with the love conveyed by fans, he has a purpose and reason to keep going.

“We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” is the final installation from the group’s ongoing series of “We Are Bulletproof Pt. 2” from their debut album 2 Cool 4 Skool and “We Are Bulletproof Pt. 1” from their pre-debut releases on Soundcloud. The lyrics showcase an overall reflection of their journey and the struggles they faced throughout their career to now no longer being alone. It is a heartfelt track, especially when looking back at BTS’s beginning as underdogs within K-pop, receiving lots of hate for many years in the music industry.  We can see this conveyed in the lyrics of the chorus:

Throw stones at me

We don’t fear anymore

We are, we are together bulletproof

(Yeah, we have you, have you)

Even if winter comes again

Even if I’m blocked off, I will still walk

We are, we are forever, bulletproof

(Yeah we got to heaven)

“We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” by BTS

The lyrics also directly reference the 2013 chorus of “We Are Bulletproof Pt. 2,” which contained the lyric, “Oh! Throw a stone at me if you’ve done as much as I did.” The term “throw stones” in the chorus means criticizing someone, showing that hateful words no longer affect them.

Overall, Map of the Soul: 7 is a landmark album in BTS’s career, showcasing their artistic growth, global influence, and profound connection with their fans. It is a testament to music’s power to inspire, heal, and unite people across borders and cultures.