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.
I am a writer and photographer based in Houston, Texas. I am currently attending the University of Houston as a Marketing major, and a PR and MIS minor. I am passionate about my work through the various creative avenues I use such as writing, designing, and photography. In my free time I enjoy delving into rabbit holes and discovering new things!