South Korean boy band BTS are set to release their new album "Proof" on Friday in a highly anticipated return to the music scene as they celebrate the ninth anniversary of their debut this month.
The album was released along with the music video of the new track, "Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)", that raked in more than 17.10 million views on YouTube in less than 4 hours.
Proof comes 11 months after their latest single CD 'Butter'. The three-CD album introduces three new tracks, one in each CD: “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)”, “Run BTS” and “For Youth.”
The album comprises 48 tracks in total, from the greatest hit songs, and solo/sub-unit tracks selected by each member, unreleased tracks to special tracks.
The lead single included in CD1, “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” is a medium-tempo, alternative hip-hop track. Through this song, BTS take the past difficulties and challenges they faced in stride, and sing that ARMY's best moments are yet to come and that tomorrow will shine brighter.
“Run BTS”, which opens CD2, is a powerful up-tempo hip-hop genre track. It narrates the seven members who have been there for one another throughout their journey as a team, and the determination of BTS to keep running as they always have. The lyrics unfold as if BTS are telling a story of their own passage of time, and well-reflect the unique characters of BTS, growing together as one team, and moving forward without settling.
The last track of CD3, “For Youth” is a fan song dedicated to their fans, ARMY. The track begins with a piece of memory BTS and ARMY spent together by sampling “EPILOGUE : Young Forever” from BTS’ 2016 album, The most beautiful moment in life : YOUNG FOREVER. Along with soft piano melodies and analog sounds, the song expresses BTS' gratitude to their ARMY for giving them a brilliant youth.
Upon the album's release, members of BTS expressed their thoughts and excitement. Band leader RM said, “I feel thrilled every time we release new music for the first time. I hope many people will enjoy the album. Proof is a special album that closes the first chapter of BTS before going into our 10th year. We especially paid more attention to the lyrics as our message to our fans, ARMY who have been with us for nine years, is the key to this album."
Jin added, “Proof walks through BTS’ history, so it reminds me of nine-years of memories. This will be one of those albums I listen to a lot.” He added, “It will be fun to listen to the unreleased tracks.”
SUGA went on to say, “We carefully finalized the order of the tracks as the album speaks of BTS’ history. My suggestion would be to listen to the album in the order.” He also mentioned, “We are honoured to capture our nine-year journey in this album. Listening to the album will trace you back in memory and the paths BTS have walked.”
j-Hope said, “I’m happy and excited that we are finally releasing a new album after a long time. I just want to enjoy the album with our ARMY. Proof is a chronicle of BTS and ARMY, and it is a special album as it contains all our memories together. It is the soul of BTS, so I hope many people like it!”
Jimin joined in and said, “I feel happy and strange at the same time as it’s been a while since we released a new album. Proof holds a special place in our hearts as it includes the past lead singles and previously unreleased tracks. While creating this album, we spent meaningful times together looking after one another and deeply connecting with one another.”
“As the album represents our past nine years, this is a gift for our fans who have been supporting us and creating our history together,” said V and Jung Kook added, “It feels like we just finished writing a big book. As always, we gave a lot of thought into every detail of this album while working on it. It is a reflection of the time we spent together as BTS and the emotions we felt throughout our nine-year journey.”
In celebration of the band’s 9th anniversary, BTS will reveal the performance of the new tracks through ‘Proof’ Live via official YouTube channel BANGTANTV on June 13.
The seven-member group last year became the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards. Last week, they met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians.
The band made their debut on June 13, 2013, and have since then spearheaded a global K-pop craze with lyrics and social campaigns aimed at empowering youngsters.
But their fan base extends into older demographics, tying their spending power to an internet-savvy generation that harnesses the power of social media.
Last November, BTS took to the stage for the first since the coronavirus pandemic began, with a concert in Los Angeles. In March, BTS returned to their home country with three concerts in Seoul.
