The Best Moments From BTS’ ‘Map of the Soul ON:E’ Concert
If you’re like us, then you are still mentally re-living BTS’ “Map of the Soul ON:E” concert from Oct. 10 and Oct. 11. The two shows brought the Korean band’s Map of the Soul era to a close and the members finally had a chance to perform the B-sides from their 2020 album Map of the Soul: 7. Looking back, here are the best moments from BTS’ “Map of the Soul ON:E” online concert.
BTS’ performance of ‘ON’ and ‘Black Swan’
“ON” is the lead single from Map of the Soul: 7. While fans have seen the K-pop group perform the song for promotions on music shows and in Grand Central Terminal on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic kept BTS from performing the song on tour.
It was clear from “Map of the Soul ON:E” that BTS put a lot of preparation into their “ON” performance. Complete with large set pieces and a marching band, BTS made “ON” a combination of the song’s official music video and BTS ‘ON’ Kinetic Manifesto Film : Come Prima.
The group also performed “Black Swan,” the first single released from Map of the Soul: 7. While fans have seen “Black Swan” performed numerous times, the introspective song seemed even more profound during “Map of the Soul ON:E.” After the song ended, Jimin performed a contemporary dance to the song’s orchestral version.
Throwback dance breaks
In addition to performing songs from the Map of the Soul era, the septet also performed a number of throwback hits. Following “ON,” the group performed “N.O” and “We Are Bulletproof, Pt. 2,” both of which they originally released in 2013. In between “N.O” and “We Are Bulletproof, Pt. 2,” BTS performed a dance break with the marching band.
Toward the end of the concert, the group performed “No More Dream” from their debut single album 2 Cool 4 Skool. The performance featured the song’s iconic dance break. By performing these early songs and dance breaks, BTS showed how timeless their discography is and brought nostalgia to fans.
The ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ solo songs
Up until BTS’ “Map of the Soul ON:E” concert, the only solo song ARMY actually got to see performed live was RM’s “Intro: Persona” because it was released in 2019 on the group’s EP Map of the Soul: Persona. The rapper was also the first member to perform his solo during “Map of the Soul ON:E.”
After RM performed “Intro: Persona,” Suga kicked off a set with his solo “Interlude: Shadow.” In another set, Jungkook performed “My Time,” Jimin performed “Filter,” Jin performed “Moon,” and V performed “Inner Child.” J-Hope closed out the group’s solo songs with his song “Outro: Ego.” With quick costume changes, sensual choreography, fire effects, cars, doppelgangers, and a carousel, the solo songs from the Map of the Soul era did not disappoint.
BTS’ ending ments from ‘Map of the Soul ON:E’
To be honest, we’re still emotionally recovering from BTS’ “Map of the Soul ON:E.” Partially because of the performances, and partially because of the members’ emotional ments that closed out the concerts.
With their speeches, the members revealed how frustrated they have felt with the coronavirus. However, they also expressed their gratitude for being able to perform for fans with “Map of the Soul ON:E.” In a heartfelt moment at the end of the Oct. 11 show, RM reassured fans that the coronavirus was “no one’s fault.”
