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With BTS’ next album, Map of the Soul: 7, right around the corner, some fans speculated about this upcoming album and era. Why is the upcoming BTS album blue? What is the meaning behind songs like “Black Swan” and “Interlude: Shadow?” Here are some fan theories surrounding Map of the Soul: 7 and its shades of sky blue.

BTS performs during 'The Late Late Show with James Corden'
BTS performs during ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden’ | Terence Patrick/CBS via Getty Images

BTS will premiere their album ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ during February 2020

Hot off the heels of their historic Grammy performance with Lil Nas X, BTS is back with another album for fans to enjoy. Map of the Soul: 7 premieres on Feb. 21, 2020. Right after, the boys will head on their world tour, making stops at Metlife Stadium, the Rose Bowl Stadium, and the United Kingdom’s Twickenham Stadium.

As the second part of the Map of the Soul era and the antithesis of Map of the Soul: Persona, this upcoming BTS album is sky blue. (There are actually four different shades of blue available with the album package, each with a special set of pictures and postcards.)

“So Map of The Soul: 7’s color on Pantone was described as ‘Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era,'” one Twitter user wrote.

Not much is officially known about ‘Map of the Soul: 7’

Fans can only really speculate what this next era will be about. Some think it could share themes similar to the Wings era — especially because of the art film released by this group, “Black Swan.”

The K-pop group also funded art installations across multiple cities, leaving up to the album’s premiere date. This could be another reason why the album of blue — because it contains darker, personal themes surround these members and their art.

“If Map of the Soul: Persona was pink tones and was an album about/for us and Map of the Soul: 7 is blue tones and is about them… It means that the last one of the trilogy is gonna be purple tones and is gonna be the mix of us and them,” one Twitter user guessed.

“Does Map of the Soul: 7 means 7 members who connected the world through one language, i.e. music? Just like 7 continents are connected through one ocean and that’s why it’s blue,” another Twitter user wrote.

What is the symbolism behind ‘Map of the Soul: 7’?

In true BTS fashion, the color of this upcoming album isn’t the only symbolism surrounding this album. While on The Late Late Show with James Corden, RM confirmed that “7” is a special number for this K-pop group. There are 7 members in BTS, they debuted 7 years ago, and Map of the Soul: 7 will be their 7th album.

“You will know when you listen to our new album and watch the performance that liking BTS was the best decision ever,” J-Hope said at the Grammy’s red carpet. Fans will just have to wait to learn more about this upcoming album. Map of the Soul: 7 premieres on Feb. 21, 2020.

Until then, music by BTS, including “Black Swan,” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and most major streaming platforms.

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