BE | BTS Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios

Be (stylized in all caps) is the fifth Korean-language (ninth overall) studio album by South Korean boy band BTS. It was released on November 20, 2020, through Big Hit Entertainment and Columbia Records, nine months after its predecessor, Map of the Soul : 7 (2020). Created in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Be is inspired by the thoughts and feelings the band experienced during the conception of the project. The record sees the band members contributing to various aspects of the album including songwriting Read Full BioBe (stylized in all caps) is the fifth Korean-language (ninth overall) studio album by South Korean boy band BTS. It was released on November 20, 2020, through Big Hit Entertainment and Columbia Records, nine months after its predecessor, Map of the Soul : 7 (2020). Created in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Be is inspired by the thoughts and feelings the band experienced during the conception of the project. The record sees the band members contributing to various aspects of the album including songwriting, development, production, visual aspects, and direction.

Be is primarily a pop record, encompassing hip hop, EDM, and disco genres with elements of synth-pop, neo soul, funk, R&B, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2010s. Described by BTS as "a letter of hope", Be touches upon themes of comfort, loneliness, anxiety, depression, frustration, restlessness, sadness, hope, connection, and joy.

Be was supported by the lead single "Life Goes On" which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming BTS' third consecutive number-one song in the United States, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in the United Kingdom. Be received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised the album for its authenticity and simplicity while a few had somewhat mixed feelings and found it unadventurous.

The album was BTS' fifth to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, making BTS the fastest group to earn five chart-topping albums in the United States since the Beatles. BTS also became the only act besides Taylor Swift to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200 charts simultaneously. The album also topped charts in Canada, Denmark, Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, the Republic of Ireland, South Korea, and the Walloon region of Belgium; it peaked within the top ten of the charts in 14 countries, including Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.