BTS ‘shed a lot of tears’ working on new album Map of the Soul: 7 – and are already targeting next year’s Grammy Awards
Rapper Suga called performing at the 2021 Grammys the K-pop band’s new ‘purpose’ – but oldest member Jin, 27, say he is ready to face military conscription
K-pop boy band BTS is at the peak of its popularity, but behind the glamorous facade are tears and sweat, from the seven members always under pressure to perform.
“I shed a lot of tears when working on the down-tempo songs such as Black Swan,” frontman RM said during the group’s global press conference, broadcast live on YouTube on Monday (November 24). “I am still afraid of revealing my weaknesses and expressing this in music. But I could continue working on the album out of appreciation that I am a part of BTS.”
He added: “I know I am so lucky to sing and dance along with these members.”
BTS released their fourth studio album “Map of the Soul: 7”, fronted by hip hop-flavoured On on February 21. It offers 20 cross-genre tracks including Filter and Respect, and is a sequel to the group’s April release “Map of the Soul: Persona”. Through the songs, the members unveil how they have come to accept their “inner darkness” after going through struggles.
Whenever I am asked to join the army, I will answer the call
Rapper Suga talked about pressure stemming from the band’s immense popularity and musical feats. “Map of the Soul: 7” topped the iTunes album charts in 91 countries.
“It would be a lie if I say I am not pressured at all about succeeding with more musical accomplishments,” he said. “But now I believe a purpose is more crucial than a goal. As always, we would keep on doing what we enjoy and this will naturally lead us to further achievements.”
“It is not up to us to decide whether we will participate in the awards or not, but we will strive to go to the awards again next year,” he said.
RM also revealed his thoughts on the group's worldwide popularity.
“We merely unfolded our personal stories in our numbers, but this, ironically, appealed to people from around the globe,” he said. “Numerous people today empathise with us and some of them even began studying Korean.”