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Just when BTS fans think they have it all figured out, this K-pop group throws a curveball. Recently, the Bangtan Boys announced their comeback album would be titled Map of the Soul: 7. Why did the boy band choose this title for their 7th album? When does the comeback drop? What’s the symbolism behind the number “7”? Here’s what we know about BTS and the possible reasons for this title.

Korean K-pop band 'BTS' are seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'
Korean K-pop band ‘BTS’ are seen at ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ | RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

The next album to be released by BTS is titled, ‘Map of the Soul: 7’

The months of waiting are almost over, BTS fans. The group recently announced that their comeback drops during February 2020 and the title has everyone surprised. After the group’s MMA performance, some speculated that the next album could be titled either “Shadow” or “Ego.” Someone scribbled those words on a chalkboard used during the live performance, alongside “Persona.”

Presumably, this will be a followup to BTS’ 2019 release, Map of the Soul: Persona, which broke YouTube records and earned the artists a handful of awards and nominations. Map of the Soul: 7 will be the group’s first album of the decade, released later during 2020.

Band BTS performs 'I'm Fine'
Band BTS performs ‘I’m Fine’ | Andrew Lipovsky/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

The number ‘7’ is very important in the BTS universe

Of course, there are 7 members in BTS — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. This upcoming release will be BTS’ 7th studio album. The group itself will be celebrating its 7th anniversary this June. BTS also made this announcement on Weverse on Jan. 7, marking it the group’s first official comeback of the new decade.

Teen Vogue writes, “given the number’s overall symbolism and the fact that this is BTS after all, we can surely expect some even deeper meanings to emerge in the coming weeks.” Some fans took to social media, sharing their thoughts on the next layout and theme for the Bangtan Boys.

“7 members. 7 layers. We know that 7 has been a precious and important number in the Bangtan Universe. Only the near future will reveal what is to come,” one Twitter user said.

“SO WE’VE BEEN ARGUING IF THE COMEBACK WILL BE ‘SHADOW’ OR ‘EGO’ BUT BIGHIT FINALLY ANNOUNCED AND IT’S ACTUALLY MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 OH WOW OH WOW,” another Twitter user wrote.

When does ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ release?

There are still a few more weeks before fans can get their hands on this new music. According to the post on Weverse, Map of the Soul: 7 premieres on Feb. 21, 2020. However, fans can preorder this music as early as Jan 9, 2020.

Even better news, the group goes on tour during April 2020, according to Big Hit Entertainment’s Twitter account. Within a few days of the announcement, the tweet earned almost a million likes from fans worldwide. More information will presumably be announced in the coming weeks.

Music by BTS, including their most recently-released album Map of the Soul: Persona, is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and most major streaming platforms. The release date of their comeback is, reportedly, Feb. 21, 2020.

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