The K-pop super group BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys, on Feb. 21 released its new album "Map of the Soul: 7," whose concept photo is shown here. (BTS' official Facebook page)

By Kim Minji

"(The) artist who shows the zeitgeist best, the spirit of times, is loved the most. Our songs and albums tell personal stories, but ironically, we are living in an age where they can become global."

So said BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys, on Feb. 24 as the reason its music is so popular globally despite most of the group's songs not being in English.

The group on Feb. 21 released its fourth full-length album "Map of the Soul: 7" and livestreamed a news conference three days later via YouTube. The Seoul COEX was supposed to be the event's venue but the group held it online amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Map of the Soul: 7" is the second album in BTS' "Map of the Soul" series that was launched last year. The new album's 20 tracks contain the candid stories and feelings of members since their debut in 2013.

With an estimated 220,000 fans watching the news conference online, BTS introduced its new album and answered a few selected questions emailed from journalists.

Jin said, "The new album is about BTS' seven members looking back on the seven years since our debut."

"In our previous album 'Map of the Soul: Persona,' we talked about the interest, joy and our image of the world," he said, adding, "Our new album shows our deep inner selves that we had wanted to hide, including our experiences that brought us here and emotions we feel in the moment."

BTS on Feb. 24 held a news conference promoting its new album "Map of the Soul: 7" via YouTube livestream. (Screen capture from BTS' official YouTube page)

The group also talked about the expectations and pressure to achieve better results with the new album.

Suga said, "Having a purpose is more important than setting goals, and results are more important than records. We will take a step forward and think about what we can do."

BTS's three previous albums have topped the Billboard 200 chart.

On the global art project that opened last month "Connect, BTS," which conveys the boy band's messages through contemporary art, group leader RM elaborated on the project's background.

"Since we cannot hold concerts all at the same time in one venue like Buenos Aires, London and New York, we got help from public art so that when we come back, we can physically share the festival," he said.

"Art and music tell similar stories and values in different languages, so we chose this project to work together."

BTS on Feb. 22 topped the iTunes album charts in 91 countries and regions including the U.S., Canada, Britain and France. On Feb. 24 in New York, the group appeared on the late-night show "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and performed the world premiere of its single "On."

kimmj7725@korea.kr