5 Things To Look Forward To Ahead of the BTS Comeback

Remember when the gap between Love Yourself: Answer and Map of the Soul: Persona was deemed as the longest break BTS had given between album releases? In retrospect, perhaps that was the septet’s way of training their beloved ARMY for the 500-day waiting period that lurked right around the corner.

After a series of speculations, it is finally time for the BTS ARMY to reap the fruits after acing the ultimate test of patience. After the long wait, the K-pop icons are all set to make their highly anticipated comeback this Friday with the anthology album Proof. Featuring tracks that “reflect the thoughts and ideas of the members on the past, present and future of BTS,” according to the act’s label BigHit Music, the three-disc album “embodies the history of the group.” In a statement, the entertainment powerhouse states that “[the album] will be released as they [BTS] begin a new chapter as an artist that has been active for nine years, to look back on their past endeavors.”

From the septet’s SoundCloud releases finally making their grand entrance on DSPs to three new tracks, demo versions of their previous hits, unreleased tracks and an intimate peek into the pop titans’ nine-year long journey, here are five things to look forward to when it comes to this BTS comeback.

1) Where does the Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa (HYYH) era stand in 2022?

Commonly known as The Most Beautiful Moment In Life series, the Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa trilogy marked a pivotal chapter in BTS’ legacy. Not only did it give rise to the intricate fictional universe (BTS Universe), but also birthed some of BTS’ best lyrical works to date. A celebration of youth, the three albums saw the septet wrap their most powerful storytelling in timeless melodies that continue to be fan favorites even today.

Despite BTS addressing through Vlive sessions or their Weverse comments that they might never revisit the HYYH era, it seems like the septet is ready to re-explore their magnum opus. In true BTS fashion, the group has already left a trail of clues that point towards the HYYH era. The first clue comes courtesy of the lead single. Titled “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment),” it looks like the track shares ties with their 2015 trilogy.

The second string of clues stems from their promotional material. Right from the promotional poster for their comeback live special, which features the walls of the abandoned pool where the group shot their 화양연화 on stage: prologue, to the teaser video that shows Jimin wearing the same shirt from “Spring Day,” it’s unclear whether BTS is going back to 2015 or the HYYH era is arriving in 2022. That’s not all, the teaser video also shows Jung Kook using his hands to form a telescope (a visual we last saw the singer enact during the HYYH era). Other clues include, SUGA standing atop a piano with the smeraldo flowers resting beside him and the teaser video beginning with the date 2022.05.27 – a timestamp that features in one of the pages inside The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: The Notes.

The list of references is endless, especially if you’re someone with a hawkeye for details. So far, it seems like the seven boys who started their journey celebrating youth are ready to revisit those times with a more mature and kinder set of eyes.

2) Will we finally have answers to what ‘20219’ signifies? 

Speaking of HYYH, remember that blue train container that always makes its comeback around the same time BTS starts teasing a new album? With every little clue pointing towards the return of the HYYH era, perhaps this Friday we’ll finally have the answer to what ‘20219’ painted on the blue train container symbolizes and its purpose in the grand realm of the BTS Universe. 

3) What will a Dem Jointz-produced BTS track sound like?

For those who may not be aware, Dem Jointz is a sought-after American producer who’s established himself as a go-to K-pop producer on occasions when a label is looking for a fresh and experimental sonic style. To give you an idea, Dem Jointz has produced NCT 127’s “Cherry Bomb,” “Kick It,” “Punch” and “Sticker,” EXO’s “Obsession,” NCT Dream’s “Arcade,” NCT U’s “Universe (Let’s Play Ball)” and several other tracks for SM Entertainment’s artist roster. On the Western side of things, the American producer has extensively worked with Kanye West, JLS, Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson and more. 

This week, we’ll get to hear what a BTS track produced by Dem Jointz sounds like. It’s interesting to note that despite working with several producers from around the world, BTS has always managed to preserve their style, regardless of the inputs and sonic sensibilities the producer brings to the table, making the Dem Jointz-produced track “Run BTS” a song you wouldn’t want to miss out on. The blend between Dem Jointz’s courage to work outside the sonic norms and BTS’ solid grasp and faith in their sound will definitely make a riveting composition. In a bonus, the track is a direct call-out to their bone-tickling variety show Run! BTS. Keeping the unmatched levels of chaos from the variety show episodes, Dem Jointz and, of course, BTS in mind, it seems like we’re about to hear a completely different sound from the group.

4) What stories will BTS share through this album?

Going by the categorization of tracks on each disc, BTS has carefully curated each CD to show the group’s different facets. Consisting of tracks such as “Dynamite,” “Butter” and “Life Goes On,” disc one represents what the world knows BTS for (pop icons with record-breaking hits). The second disc consists of handpicked tracks by each member. Here we get to see who BTS are through their eyes. Finally, the third disc is what their fans know and admire them for. Packed with demo versions and two unreleased tracks, “Young Love” and “Quotation Mark,” the final disc symbolizes the tight bond the group shares with their fans.  

The three new tracks – “Yet To Come,” “Run BTS” and “Youth” – fall within the realm of nostalgia. It will be interesting to see whether BTS will be bidding farewell to their days of youth or be celebrating the wonderful years that eventually guided them to become one of the biggest pop acts today.

5) What does the new chapter hold for BTS?

From calling out the unjust society we live in and spotlighting their youth, to celebrating self-love and introspecting on their artistry and how stardom has impacted their lives, the past nine years have shown what makes BTS an act worth your time. In the past five years alone, the septet have made exceptional artistic and philanthropic strides, helping them cement their name in the annals of history. With everything BTS have accomplished in just nine years, one can only wonder whether there’s anything left for these young artists to achieve. Perhaps, it is this very question that makes their next chapter worth the wait and anticipation. 

All things considered, one thing is certain – BTS’ best work is yet to come. So, buckle up and stay put because the pop titans are just getting started.