Map of the Soul: 7 – The Journey (stylized as MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 ~THE JOURNEY~) is the fourth Japanese and eighth overall studio album by South Korean boy band BTS. The release served as the band's next Japanese offering after Face Yourself, the album was released on July 14, 2020, through Universal Music Japan and Big Hit Entertainment. The album contains Japanese versions of songs from Love Yourself: Answer (2018), Map of the Soul: Persona (2019), and Map of the Soul: 7 (2020), as well as four new tracks: two instrumentals, "Intro: Calling" and "Outro: The Journey", and two original songs, lead single "Stay Gold", and "Your Eyes Tell" which was written by Jungkook. Previously released 2019 single "Lights" was also included.
The album was BTS' sixth to debut at number one in Japan, and their second of 2020 after Map of the Soul: 7. It sold 500,000 copies in its first two days of release and broke the record for highest first week sales of 2020 with 564,000 copies to become the most sold album of the year at the time. It also set a new all-time record for the highest first week sales by a male foreign artist, surpassing DBSKs ten-year record of 413,000 copies sold. The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) certified the album Triple Platinum in its fourth week of release for surpassing sales of 750,000 physical copies. The album was nominated for and won Album of the Year, and Best 3 Albums (together with Map of the Soul: 7 and Be) in the Asia sub-category at the 35th Japan Gold Disc Awards in March 2021.
Elsewhere, the album achieved top-20 chart placements in six territories, top-10 in four, and top-five in six. It was BTS' first Japanese release to debut at number one in Portugal, and became the band's tenth chart-topper on the Billboard World Albums Chart when it peaked at number one in August after the physical album became available in the United States.
Background Billboard Japan first broke the news of a potential Japanese album on March 26, 2020, when it announced that a new BTS song titled "Stay Gold" had been selected as the theme for then upcoming Japanese television drama, . Billboard also stated that the song would be part of the band's "fourth Japanese album scheduled to be released this summer". In response to additional reports made in April that a Japanese version of "On" from Map of the Soul: 7 would also be included, Big Hit Entertainment only confirmed that an album would be released in July and stated that further information would be given once official schedules were finalized.
On May 7, BTS' fourth Japanese album was officially announced, marking the band's first full-length work in the language in two years since Face Yourself (2018). The album's title, Map of the Soul: 7 ~ The Journey ~, and July 14 release date were revealed, along with a complete 13-song tracklist and details of the various physical versions that would be available for purchase and their accompanying bonuses. The tracklist contained Japanese versions of "On", "Black Swan", "Make It Right", and "Dionysus", four new songs: "Intro: Calling", lead single "Stay Gold", "Your Eyes Tell" written by Jungkook, and "Outro: The Journey", and BTS' third original Japanese single "Lights" (2019). The first group concept photo was also unveiled: a monochrome image of the band in black suits, seated on stage against a curtained backdrop. The second group concept image was published on May 22 and featured the band in pastel clothes against a colorful 2D illustrated background. A series of seven further individual teaser images were shared online from June 12–18.Individual teasers release: These solo pictures featured the same monochromatic visual theme as the first group concept photo. Album jacket photos showing the official artwork for each of the album's editions were revealed on May 28. Universal Music Japan posted a music spot video featuring an audio snippet of "Stay Gold" to its YouTube channel on May 14. The clip garnered over 880,000 views within a week of release. A second and final music spot video, this time featuring "Lights" together with "Boy With Luv" and "Stay Gold", was uploaded on July 12.
Physical pre-orders for Japan, South Korea and other territories began on May 8, while US pre-orders began just over one month later on June 11 through Weverse Shop, and June 15 for Target, Amazon, and other US retailers. Global digital pre-save of the album began on June 19 across various online music platforms.
Conception The album's title is reflective of its theme, which maps BTS' seven-year journey since their debut in 2013, and the "many joys, successes, hardships, and challenges" they experienced during this time while on their "quest for the answer of the journey that will never end". In keeping with this, lead single "Stay Gold" conveys the message that "The world may not be full of good things, but please don't lose your luster." It was written and produced by longtime collaborator UTA, who has worked with the band on several other Japanese releases since 2015.
"Your Eyes Tell" is an original, "lush, string-laden ballad" created by BTS vocalist Jungkook. Having heard that preparations for a new Japanese album were ongoing, director Takahiro Miki, of then upcoming Japanese romance film Your Eyes Tell, reached out to the band about working on a possible soundtrack for the movie. Jungkook wrote the song after reading the film's script and watching its incomplete (at the time) footage. The lyrics embrace the concept of watching over someone protectively, and express "the beautiful and deep perspective of love" as portrayed in the film. Though originally intended for use on his as yet unnamed and unreleased mixtape, the track was sent in as a last minute submission for consideration alongside other demos from the band, just before recording of the soundtrack was set to begin. After hearing the song, which went in a completely different musical direction to the others, Miki felt that the "shining melody", "relaxed singing vocals", and the way the lyrics incorporated use of the film's keyword "watching", matched the movie so well that he decided to also use it during the film, instead of solely for the ending credits. It is the first time an original song was written by a foreign artist for a Japanese film, and the first movie theme of BTS' career. Accordingly, the song was selected for inclusion on the album as well.
Release and promotion Distribution The album was released on July 14. Limited territories outside of Japan received the physical editions on the same day; the digital album was available globally. A staggered rollout for physicals occurred due to worldwide shipping restrictions put in place by various countries in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight versions of the album were made available: four Limited Editions A-D, a CD only Regular Edition, and three limited editions of the regular edition. Limited Editions A and B contain content viewable on Blu-ray and DVD respectively, a 32-page booklet, and sticker sheets A and B individually. Limited Editions C and D include a 56-page photo booklet, in versions A and B respectively. Conversely, the CD-only Regular Edition comes with a 20-page lyric booklet instead and one of seven random "Selfie ver." photocards included as a first-press only bonus. The Universal Music Store, BTS Japan Official Fanclub, and SevenNet versions of the regular edition also include a 20-page lyric booklet, with the first two having one of seven random "Colourful ver." and "Monochrome ver." photocards respectively as their bonuses, and the third an exclusive set of seven jacket changing cards. All albums share the same track listing.
Marketing In May, it was announced that BTS would appear in the August 2020 edition of Vogue Japan slated for release on June 27. Pre-orders for the magazine quickly sold out at online bookstores in South Korea and Japan. Vogue posted a short video clip from the exclusive photoshoot to their website and official Twitter on June 23, and a group teaser photo to their official Instagram on June 24. The issue contained an 8-page photo spread of the band and an interview that also included a segment about the new album; it was BTS' first ever appearance in the magazine.
The release of a two-part, web-based movie, BTS Music Journey, was announced on June 5 as a gift to the band's Japanese fans. Initially available for limited time viewing in Japan only on special website, bts-mapofthesoul7.jp, via web browser Brave, which also featured a unique BTS-themed home screen, it was later opened to viewers in South Korea and the US on July 31 until September 30. Part one was published on June 20 and contained a 24-minute long group interview where BTS discussed their thoughts on the new album and its making, revealed never before shared "secret stories", and "reminisced with fans on the last seven years of memories". Part two, featuring sub-unit interviews, was released on July 23. On July 1, MTV Japan announced a special programming schedule featuring blocks of selected BTS content that began airing on its network from July 9 and continued throughout the month in commemoration of the new album's release. TV Tokyo aired an exclusive 55-minute long, in-depth interview with the band, titled BTS Journey: ~The Journey of 7~, on July 5.TV Tokyo Exclusive: The program was broadcast across six TXN stations to audiences in Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi, Setouchi, Hokkaido, and Kyushu. Commenting on a feature program being aired for BTS, the Japan Dong-a Ilbo wrote: "Famous Japanese singers are rarely seen to have a single special broadcast before their comeback," and noted domestic media's increased interest towards the band in recent times. The program was posted online in three parts to the special website for limited time viewing until September 30. Part one was uploaded on August 8, with parts two and three to be announced in the near future.
Yunika Vision ran a half-hour long special feature of seven BTS music videos including "Stay Gold" on its screens in front of Seibu-Shinjuku Station from July 6 to July 12; the feature was also accessible for mobile viewing with high-quality sound via the "VISION α" app. The complex later ran a Billboard Japan Hot 100 airplay feature of "Stay Gold" from July 28 to August 4; the music video was shown five times a day during that time.
The band appeared on several Japanese morning television shows for promotional Q&A sessions and remote interviews including Fuji TV's Mezamashi TV, NTV's Zip! Showbiz and Oha! 4 News Live, KBC's Asadesu, Nagoya TV's Dodesuka! and Delsata, TBS's Gutto Luck! (Good Luck!) and King's Brunch, and ABC TV's Good Morning Call ABC.
Singles