BTS Fans Suffer Major Setback As K-Pop Band Makes a Responsible Decision
Last month, BTS fans were devastated to learn the worldwide Map of the Soul Tour was indefinitely postponed. The ARMY held out hope the K-pop sensation from South Korea would announce plans to tour again in the not too distant future.
Unfortunately, the band’s management team sent an unexpected blow to the hordes of fans awaiting the return of the energetic BTS boy band.
BTS is a global phenomenon
The seven-member group consisting of J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, RM, V, and Suga came together in 2010. Also known as the Bangtan Boys, their debut single album 2 Cool 4 Skool debuted in 2013. Several years later, the boy band became famous around the world.
The group’s unique blend of electronic dance and pop music, mixed with synchronized dance moves, has attracted countless devoted fans. Rolling Stone refers to the international superstars as “The Future of Music,” putting the boys on the June 2021 cover.
The magazine says, “BTS have cemented their status as one of the most influential groups in music, not only for their unique, genre-defying sound but also for the message of positivity and hope that they bring to their fans.”
Map of the Soul world tour canceled
BTS was ready to launch an 18 country worldwide tour after releasing their fourth album, Map of the Soul: 7. Scheduled to begin in April 2020, the world tour has been on hold for more than 16 months because of COVID-19.
The BTS fandom, known as the ARMY, has been repeatedly disappointed by continual tour delays. They were holding out hope the concerts would happen.
As the band’s label, Big Hit Music, acknowledged all the fans that “have been waiting eagerly and long for the tour,” the New York Post confirmed the tour is now officially canceled.
Variety reported the label issued a statement that read, “Due to changing circumstances beyond our control, it has become difficult to resume performances at the same scale and timeline as previously planned.”
BTS aren’t the only performers canceling because of COVID-19
BTS is not the only musical group being forced to put their tours on hold due to the long holding grip of the coronavirus.
According to NPR, Nine Inch Nails canceled the remainder of its tour for 2021. The rock band released a statement, saying, “These shows were intended to be a cathartic and celebratory return to live music. However, with each passing day it’s becoming more apparent we’re not at that place yet.” Country singer Garth Brooks also put the brakes on his stadium tour, saying, “I sincerely thought the pandemic was falling behind us. Now, watching this new wave, I realize we are still in the fight and I must do my part.”
Meanwhile, musical acts such as the Dead & Company, Phish, Maroon 5, and Harry Styles are pushing ahead with tours. Forbes reported the bands are requiring concertgoers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test prior to entering the venue.
Den of Geek reported, “The North American concert industry alone lost an estimated $30 billion in 2020 due to the cancellation of pretty much all shows following the outbreak of COVID-19.”
The McDonald’s and Hyundai Ioniq ambassadors have tried to keep fans engaged with online performances, a web series, and a record-breaking concert livestream, Muster Soowoozoo. The two-day online concert event attracted 1.3 million paid viewers from around the world. Their recent single, “Butter,” has spent 13 weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard charts, and “Permission to Dance” debuted in the number one spot.
