BTS postpone entire 2020 Map of the Soul world tour due to Covid-19

Their label Big Hit Entertainment said that the group will announce new tour dates when it is safe to do so

Members of Korean K-pop group BTS arrive on the red carpet during the K-CON 2014 (Korean Culture Convention) at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on August 10, 2014. Having taken Asia by storm over the past decade with bubblegum looks and dance moves infused with military precision, South Korea's K-pop phenomenon continues to defy cultural barriers and find fans around the world. More Korean bands have multilingual members who can sing verses, carry choruses, and conduct interviews in English, Chinese, and Japanese so language is no longer a barrier. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo by MARK RALSTON / AFP)

BTS through the years: the K-pop band at the Korean Culture Convention (K-Con), held at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on August 10, 2014. AFP

Evelyn Lau

Apr 28, 2020

K-pop super group BTS have suspended their highly anticipated Map of the Soul world tour due to the global coronavirus outbreak.

Their label Big Hit Entertainment has released a statement on the postponement, saying the decision "was made with the health and safety of our artists and fans in foremost consideration".

"We have devoted considerable time to prepare the best performances possible, and we hope to express our appreciation of your patience by striving to deliver the best shows. With sincerity and commitment to transparency, we will inform you of any and all further changes and continue to provide updates.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: (L-R) J-Hope, SUGA, Jungkook, Jimin, RM, V, and Jin of the K-pop boy band BTS visit the "Today" Show at Rockefeller Plaza on February 21, 2020 in New York City. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

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"We ask for your generous understanding of the circumstances behind this decision regarding the Map of the Soul tour. We will endeavour to bring you the best concert experiences possible. "

The tour was originally set to kick off in Seoul on April 11. Just last month, tour dates in the US and Canada were also axed over coronavirus concerns.

However, fans shouldn't feel too discouraged as Big Hit Entertainment has promised to reschedule the entire tour when it is safe to do so and to "create new ways for our artists to engage with their fans and respond to the 'new normal' while we wait to resume activities halted by Covid-19".

A couple of weeks ago, the group held their Bang Bang Con, a two-day online concert streaming event on YouTube, as a way for their fans to watch the boy band's past concerts and fan meet-ups.

But if that isn't enough, the boy band have also launched a series of Korean-language teaching videos to establish a stronger connection with their fans around the world called Learn Korean with BTS. Fans can access the content through the Weverse app.