BTS has drawn over 2 million people on their world tour across 62 dates in 2019, performed at The 62nd GRAMMY® Awards in January as the first Korean act in the award show’s history, and stayed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Social 50 chart for 152 consecutive weeks (182 in total). The global superstars will be releasing their first Japanese album in over 2 years, MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 ~ THE JOURNEY ~, digitally at 11am EDT / 8am PDT on July 14 (0am JST on July 15), followed by the physical products on August 7 in the U.S.
MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 ~ THE JOURNEY ~ will be the septet’s fourth Japanese album. It follows their latest Korean album, MAP OF THE SOUL : 7, which was released in February, topped both the Billboard 200 (the band’s fourth No. 1 in the U.S.) and The Official Albums Chart in the U.K., and sold an astonishing 4.17 million units to date.
The album title thematically represents BTS’s 7-year journey, which took off with their Korean debut in June 2013. The members have experienced joys, successes, hardships, and challenges throughout their quest for answers, a journey that will surely continue.
Included in the album track listing are two new Japanese original songs. “Stay Gold,” the theme song for the Japanese TV drama series “Rasen no Meikyuu -DNA Kagaku Sousa-” conveys the message “The world may not be full of good things, but please don’t lose your luster.” “Your eyes tell,” is a track that was co-written by Jung Kook. “Stay Gold” will be available digitally at 5am EDT / 2am PDT (6pm JST) on June 19, which also marks the start of the pre-order/pre-add/pre-save for the digital release of MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 ~ THE JOURNEY ~.
The hit songs “ON,” “Black Swan,” “Make It Right,” and “Dionysus” are newly recorded in Japanese, while the 13-track album also contains the mega hit “Lights,” which was certified as a million-seller by RIAJ in July 2019, “Boy With Luv -Japanese ver.-” and more.
Limited-Edition A and B versions also include a video disc containing the music video of “Stay Gold” and its ‘making of’ footage, along with other music videos. Limited-Edition C and D versions include a 56-page photo booklet featuring an array of new and unseen conceptual photos of BTS. Moreover, each edition includes an exclusive square photo card available only outside of Japan. Pre-order here.
ABOUT BTS:
BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene”, is a South Korean boyband that is capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally. The members of BTS are RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook. Gaining recognition for their authentic, self-produced music and top-notch performances, as well as the way they interact with their fans, the band has quickly become a global icon since they debuted in June 2013.
While imparting a positive influence through activities such as the LOVE MYSELF campaign and the UN ‘Speak Yourself’ speech, BTS has mobilized millions in a fan “ARMY” across the world. BTS has topped prominent music charts, sold out worldwide tours (including stadiums), and been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Billboard Music Awards and American Music Awards.
