It is a normal day of 2021 for ARMYs all around the world. Namjoon and Jin were on VLive to hang out with ARMYs while they ate and built blocks. Everyone was listening to music, enjoying their life, doing their daily chores. One thing no one had expected was the Weverse notification entitled [Notice] BTS MAP OF THE SOUL TOUR Cancellation Information. Millions of hearts sank in unison; the Map Of The Soul Tour — which was initially postponed for nearly a year — had been canceled.
“We have strived to live up to fans’ prolonged waiting and expectations that we would resume the concerts, but due to many changes beyond our control, it has become realistically difficult to resume the concert as originally planned,” said Big Hit Music on Friday via a notification on the fan community platform Weverse.
The Map Of The Soul Tour, which was scheduled for April of 2020, was originally supposed to include 39 shows in 18 different countries. The tour was going to offer an experience where fans would get to participate in festival-like experiences prior to the concerts — a feature previously exclusive to concerts held in Seoul — as well as theme hotels, pop-up stores, and exhibitions in touring cities dubbed “Tour Village.”
For any artist, performing is an important part of their career, and for BTS, whose concerts are like festivals where ARMYs gather and enjoy the experience, it’s especially true. Even when ARMYs were heartbroken, they were thinking about BTS. After all, the members have also been waiting for the world to open back up so they could meet ARMYs, just as much as us ARMYs have been waiting for it — if not more. Jungkook, during the Map Of The Soul ON:E ending speech, said, “I’m the kind of person that can live on happily if I can perform…”
In order to send the message to BTS, ARMYs once again trended #ARMYWillWaitForBTS. Although the tour cancellation was a hit for a lot of ARMYs emotionally, the whole fandom was there to share comfort and help. BTS ARMY Medical Union tweeted out tips which could be helpful in times when we miss BTS.
Even in such times, it is important to remember that it is not the end. As the lyrics of “2!3!” say,
“1, 2, 3
Hoping that everything will change
For a better day
Because we are together”
The lyrics refer to how BTS and ARMY are together, and how there is not one without the other. We just need to keep faith, hold each other's hand, and hope that everything will change for the better. For many ARMYs, this tour was an important part of what kept them going through the rough days; with the tour getting canceled, it is tough, but we need to remember that it is not the end.
Many ARMYs also pointed out that the announcement mentioned, “We are working to prepare a viable schedule and performance format that can meet your expectations, and we will provide updated notices as soon as possible.” Although nothing is confirmed yet, there is still hope that BTS will return with a new plan, which will be in accordance with the new normal.
In tough times, ARMYs are known to go back to the safe space that BTS and ARMY have created together, called the Magic Shop, which embodies the comfort songs for the ARMYs, such as “Spring Day,” “Magic Shop,” “2!3!,” and “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal.” One of the most special songs for everyone is “Spring Day.”
“The morning will come again
Because no darkness, no season
Can last forever”
This verse of “Spring Day” is a reminder that no matter how dark and cold the winter is, spring will come. There is nothing that could stop the spring from coming for BTS and ARMY. “Spring Day” ends with a message of hope to stay until this winter ends and wait for the spring to come. ARMYs are ready to wait for their spring day to come, so BTS and ARMY can see each other and enjoy their time together.
During such tough days when it feels like things are going wrong, we need to remember what Namjoon said in Map Of The Soul ON:E Day 1 concert ending speech, "We are literally strong. The ARMY that I know and the BTS that everyone knows, we are all strong. We will find a way, we always have. If there is no way, let’s draw the map, the whole map again."
This tour cancellation is not a pause or the end, but we are drawing the map again from scratch. Until we finalize a new map, remember, we have this technology where we can be connected with each other without any latency. We still have memories and feelings of being with BTS and ARMY in the same space, so till we can see each other again, we can smile and enjoy the best we can do. We need to remember we are still together, and we have the means to be connected with them and each other in this world.
Spring day will come, and ARMY will wait for BTS no matter how long it takes.
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Written By: Yatri
Edit By: Aury
Checked By: Vera