By Liv Dunleavy Asst. Arts & Features Editor It has been five years. Five. Years. There have been five rotations around the sun and I’ve turned five whole years older since the release of BTS’ seventh studio album, “Map of the Soul: 7.” Not only was it a monumental release, a savior of lives, a causer of car crashes, and an album that changed the trajectory for BTS’ careers, personal lives, and relationship with their fans - it was an album created with an intention of something bigger. An end, a beginning, and the journey between. It was the culmination of - years - spent standing up just to get pushed back down, then standing up again. Years spent shouldering against hordes of those who looked down at them, spat upon their names, cursing and doubting BTS without ever giving them a chance. Years of looking toward a future where they were finally able to say, “look at us now.” It was a look into their souls. An open door. An invitation for ARMY to sit with them at a corner booth in the magic shop and talk it out. This album wasn’t written to sell booklets and photocards, it was a message. As I sit again, five years later, studying the lyrics and deciphering the code, it seems so crystal clear what BTS was trying to convey to us. And still, even though five years have passed and the message means different things to 22-year-old Liv, I remember the feelings I felt reading these lyrics for the first time, hearing their words and not yet knowing what they truly meant. “Map of the Soul: 7” was released on Feb. 21, 2020, a time where BTS was finally thriving and gaining a lot of popularity, particularly in the West and in the U.S. This album absolutely smashed every expectation, topped several global charts, and won multitudes of awards - making their already quite large footprint in the music world look more like a Bigfoot sighting. The first few songs are compiled from a previous EP, “Map of the Soul: Persona.” As for the rest of the tracklist, the sixth track - “Interlude: Shadow” - was one of the first teasers and official music videos to be released in the promotion schedule. Performed by Min Yoongi (Suga) of BTS, it uncovers a layer of the limelight we don’t get to see. Some may say, “It comes with the territory,” or “celebrities knew what they were signing up for when they signed those contracts” - but we don’t live the lives they live. The lyrics themselves show a haunting side of the limelight, the brighter the lights, the bigger the shadow grows. This song and music video aren’t just another track to overlook. Suga’s lyricism was crafted with importance. From the very first note, you know he is saying something, and it’s time to listen and learn. This is not any other track, this isn’t another rap song, pop song, call it what you want. This is a - message - one we must listen to. When BTS first debuted, to quote Kim Namjoon (RM), “We were truly nothing and nobody noticed us.” It must have felt so scary to not only once have been nothing, but then suddenly be so much of, well, something. To be scrutinized for every move they make, maybe flying so high makes falling more painful. Suga accounts how his highest moments are when he feels the lowest, and begs not to shine, not to fly, not to be let down, because now he is afraid. He is the fame he fears, and they are one. “Interlude: Shadow” is followed by the first single released for the album, “Black Swan.” This masterpiece of musical composition feels like being drowned in elegance and tortured with uncertainty. A part of me always feels like crying when this song comes on. Their ability to arrange the vocals in the recording so each member's voice blends - with the exception of a chilling ad-lib or solo line. It blends so seamlessly, each member melds into one coherent voice, giving the group a unity, where they can speak as one. The lyrics feel so personal, like looking into a window left open or hearing a conversation not meant for you to hear. A confession to their craft, a plea to keep enjoying their path, for music is what keeps them alive, what provides their own heartbeat. To state if their passion can no longer resonate, no longer make their heart vibrate, then this is how they will die - an outsider may believe that’s an extreme, but to ARMY, it sounds a lot like a promise. If their music keeps them alive - then they must continue to create. Other mentionable tracks I’d point out are “00:00 (Zero O’Clock)” and “UGH!” Two complete polar opposites. One is a vocal-line track, composed with just the four vocalists, a soft ballad with pop influence that stresses how every day is a fresh start, and you’re gonna be happy again. Meanwhile - “UGH!” legit opens with gunshots. I mentioned car crashes earlier and this song has a crash-count. This hype hip-hop track features the three members of the rap-line, and basically dares their doubters to continue to doubt - haters to continue to hate. It doesn’t matter to BTS now, because their hatred is boring. They “UGH!” a sigh, an expletive, a feeling of pent up anger and disgust - at the comments sent to them for so long. The album came equipped with 20 songs locked and loaded with an overarching message. One that maybe went over a lot of our heads. This message, this album, was sent to us originally as a goodbye - well, more like a see you later - for BTS at the time were due to fulfill their mandatory military service. There was even a world tour planned as a final farewell. After the album and tour release, the COVID-19 pandemic took a whole spin on their plans. The “MOTS: 7 Tour” was eventually canceled, and yes, I still cry at night over the loss of my barricade seats. The singles and music videos on this album are loaded with so much meaning and Easter eggs I could write a trilogy on what every frame means and how significant it is, but the album truly comes down to what they wanted to say to us. This album, along with every album they make, isn’t just for any Joe Schmoe. This album has intentions beyond your comprehension, each solo song, each second of the tracks were produced with ARMY in mind. “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” is a song I don’t speak lightly about. This song, its lyrics - It’s an oath. It’s a plea. It’s a love letter written in blood, sweat, and tears. They - were - seven. But they will never be just seven again. BTS was once a name to be ridiculed. Now its a name seared deep into the universe. Cast your stones, I dare you. We no longer fear those who have hatred. We are together bulletproof - forever. BTS has us - all - forever. They say you find BTS when you need them the most. I found BTS at a time in my life where I had nobody, and I was nobody. And you know what - I have never felt more secure in my own self-love, or the love I have for others, than now, almost eight years later. I know how deeply I care about BTS only due to how deeply they care about ARMY. This album was and always will be an iconic and life-altering album for ARMY and BTS. I think, maybe, it helped heal them too. They say you find BTS when you need them the most. But maybe, they found us.