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BTS was scheduled to kick-off their concert tour at the Seoul Olympic Stadium on April 11-12 and April 18-19. However, due to the Coronavirus (2019 nCoV-) outbreak in the city, the idol group’s management, Big Hit Entertainment, decided to cancel the band’s 4-day “Map of the Soul” shows.
Although the concert’s schedule is still a month and a half away, the rapid spread of the virus around the world, made them decide to postpone the BTS concert. Also, no one knows what the situation will be in April, so for the public’s safety as well as the staff and performers, it is better to just drop the concert.
Statement from Big Hit Entertainment
Big Hit made the announcement on the morning of Feb. 28. As shared on Allkpop, part of the statement reads: “We regret to announce that the BTS MAP OF THE SOUL TOUR – SEOUL Concert has been canceled. While we hope that the situation will improve, we must take into consideration the health and safety of hundreds of thousands of guests as well as our artists and the dire impact a last-minute cancellation may have on guests from overseas, production companies and staff.”
Due to this development, it is likely that BTS’ will open the world tour in Santa Clara, California, on April 25. The tickets for the Seoul concert will be refunded, and it was not mentioned if they still intend to reschedule the performances at a later date.
BTS’ press conference and new YouTube record
BTS released the “Map of the Soul: 7” album on Feb. 21 and it continued as planned. Even the press conference was also held, but then it was done remotely. The group did not appear personally in front of the press, but they were instead streamed live via YouTube. The fans were also advised not to go to the venue for safety as the cases of 2019 nCoV in South Korea is increasing.
Meanwhile, BTS “ON” music video made another history on YouTube when it premiered. Soompi reported that the said MV had been recorded with the highest views ever on YouTube premiere. The video-sharing site’s head of culture and trends, Kevin Allocca, tweeted that it was crazy that the band’s music video was being watched by more than 1.5 million fans when it was released.
