[Credit: Photo by Ben Hider/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (10517440c)]
By Kelly Fang
On September 28th 2020, BTS announced their concert, BTS Map of the Soul ON:E —to happen in person and online—set for October 10th and 11th. The tickets were priced at $45. The offline in-person mini concert that was originally scheduled for South Korea was cancelled a few weeks before the actual concert, making it only an online event.
Map of the Soul ON:E day one (Oct 10th) began at 7pm KST and day two (Oct 11th) began at 11am KST. As the livestream began, there were subtitles available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. Ticket holders were able to replay the virtual concert via “delayed single-view streaming” at 10 pm EST.
On both days, the boys performed “Boy in Luv” in mismatched high school outfits, setting up a power vibe that demonstrated how far they’ve come since their debut. To begin with, Namjoon took the stage with “Intro: Persona”. The BTS ARMYs have been using the nickname President Joon for years to salute this singer’s motivational and comforting speeches. During the concert, he said, “We’ll find a way, we always have.” He said this to indicate BTS and ARMY being together.
The group performed “ON”, the title track from their 2020 album Map of the Soul 7, and transitioned into 2013’s “N.O”. Continuing, they transitioned into “We are Bulletproof Pt.2 ” using a familiar dance break. Moving deeper into Map of the Soul 7, BTS’s Suga gave us a powerful performance of his solo, “Interlude: Shadow”, leading into “Black Swan.”
“Black Swan“ being what it is, deserves far more than SOTY (Song of the year). This song together with its choreography is a masterpiece, filled with ”broken-wing” choreo, and strong motion. Finally being to see and hear BTS’s solo’s from MOTS:7 was the highlight of the show. since Map of the Soul: 7 was released on February 21st 2020, and the MOTS:7 tour was cancelled, ARMY was anticipating their live performances with joy and love. RM, using a literal flaming mic, showed the power of Persona. Suga pushed through the hands of endless spectators to perform “Interlude Shadow.”
Jungkook was feeling himself on the dance floor during “My Time.” Jimin was playing with illusion and rapid outfit changes during a heart-stopping performance of “Filter.” V brought new life to the climatic bridge of his spectacular performance of “Inner Child,” while J-Hope’s contagiously fun performance of “Outro: Ego” and Jin’s breathtaking version of “Moon” exceeded audience expectations. Jin described how he was the moon, and ARMY was his earth, bringing thousands of fans to tears. During the opening of Day 2, J-Hope briefly sang Jimin’s 2018 solo track “Promise,” surprising many ARMYS.
Band members took turns greeting fans in various languages. V began in Chinese, followed by Suga, Jin and Jungkook speaking in English, Thai, and Japanese. Then came RM’s “Hola, somos BTS” in Spanish, and Jimin’s greeting in Korean. Last but certainly not least, was J-Hope’s unforgettable attempt at French. The members discussed the concert’s set-list, and how preparations for the show had been more than a year in the making. BTS took ARMY members on an emotional roller coaster, as they often do. Hearing “Boy With Luv”, ”Dionysus” and ”DNA,” remixed was thrilling. The “B.W.L.“ EDM Remix from Bang Bang Con, was brought back, and so were the LED umbrellas!
If you have ever attended a K-POP concert, you know things end on an emotional high note. Last year’s tour closer, “Mikrokosmos” had fans crying rivers. This year’s closer “We are Bulletproof: The Eternal,” was even more successful. They performed ”WAB:TE” as ARMYS were floating in the air above a galaxy of ARMY bombs, featuring the purple galaxy and sea. The song’s message was beautiful. Some of my friends’ reactions were priceless, and I quote:
—“It was amazing!! ” said Adilene, “I had fun watching it. Jimin made ARMY cry a lot, but it was a [great] experience”
—“It was a night to remember. It was amazing, they seemed so tired, but they still pulled off a beautiful performance” – Isa
—“I had so much fun watching it!! Jimin’s performance was beautiful!” – Emily
Near the end BTS was replaced by cartoon characters portraying their emotions, something borrowed from the “We are Bulletproof:The Eternal” music video. As both BTS and ARMYs cried out of love for each other, BTS concluded the virtual concert with a promise to the ARMYS: “We are not seven with you, and we will meet again.”
