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K-Pop supergroup BTS cancels world tour due to COVID-19 pandemic

By Evelyn Ulrich

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO BOOK COVERS) (L-R) In this image released on May 23, Jungkook, Jin, Jimin, V, RM, J-Hope, and Suga of BTS perform for the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, broadcast on May 23, 2021 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Billboard Music Awards 2021 via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO BOOK COVERS) (L-R) In this image released on May 23, Jungkook, Jin, Jimin, V, RM, J-Hope, and Suga of BTS perform for the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, broadcast on May 23, 2021 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Billboard Music Awards 2021 via Getty Images) /
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The megapopular Korean boy band BTS has canceled their “Map of the Soul” world tour in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.  The news comes after the seven-member band made the heartbreaking decision with their label, Big Hit Entertainment.

“Our company has worked hard to resume preparations for the BTS Map of the Soul Tour, knowing that all fans have been waiting eagerly and long for the tour,” the band’s backer Big Hit Music said in a statement released on its Weverse fan platform.

“Due to changing circumstances beyond our control, it has become difficult to resume performances at the same scale and timeline as previously planned.”

The tour was originally scheduled to begin back in April of 2020, with thirty-nine city stops and covering eighteen countries.  The US was part of the ‘Map of the Soul tour’ with Japan concluding it. However, as with many live performers in the spring of 2020, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe prompted a postponement until it was safe to resume touring.

That pause ultimately led to a sixteen-month hiatus, but the BTS Army was not left without.  Online concerts and a movie, titled Break the Silence and released in August 2020, explored the band’s 2019 “Love Yourself: Speak Yourself” tour and offered a personal look at the members.

The rescheduled “Map of the World” tour was originally slated to kick off in South Korea, but with daily cases recently exceeding 2,000, the government is considering tougher restrictions in response to the contagious Delta variant, including increased social distancing, gathering regulations, and travel curfews.

Live gigs will of course someday continue, but as of right now, there is no official timestamp of when.  In the meantime, fans might be treated to more virtual performances from the group.

BTS, or their full Korean name, Bangtan Sonyeondan, (Bulletproof Boy Scouts in English)  was formed in 2010 and debuted their freshman album, 2 Cool 4 Skool in 2013.  Since then, they became the most successful K-pop group in history.  The band was heavily praised for their active philanthropy and for helping introducing K-pop and Korean culture to a global audience.

Members Jin, RM, Jungkook, J-Hope, Suga, V, and Jimin each give their own unique touch to BTS, which only makes them stand out even brighter.

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Are you sad or disappointed by the tour cancelation?  What BTS song is your favorite?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

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