On February 2, 2020, BTS released the final comeback trailer for their album Map of the Soul: 7. This time j-hope is front and center for “Outro: Ego,” an upbeat track that reflects on the regrets and pain he experienced in the past and how those struggles encouraged him to move forward.
It’s a big contrast from Suga’s intense Interlude: Shadow or RM’s introspective Intro: Persona. This song bursts with color and positivity but that’s exactly why it works as an outro. After all the self-reflection and uncertainty, j-hope wraps things up with a simple message: trust yourself.
From Mask to Shadow to Self
BTS’s Map of the Soul series is inspired by Carl Jung’s ideas about the concept of the self, identity and the pursuit of understanding our true selves. The trilogy follows this path with three songs by BTS’s rap line:
- Intro: Persona (RM) asks the question “Who am I?” and the struggle to reconcile our inner self with the mask we wear in public.
- Interlude: Shadow (Suga) addresses the shadow self; the hidden, unconscious aspects of our personality that we repress.
In Jung’s theories, the ego is our conscious self. The “I” that balances our inner world and public image. Outro: Ego ties everything together by accepting every part of yourself and stepping forward with confidence.
Trusting the Journey
Right from the start, “Outro: Ego” is full of energy. Over a lively house-pop beat with horns, j-hope shares his story of the doubts he’s faced, the pain he’s pushed through, and the choices that shaped him.
“Life not of j-hope but Jeong Ho-Seok flashes by
It must have been full of regret with no hope ’til I die
My dancing was chasing ghosts
Blaming my dream, asking why I live and breathe
Oh my God (God, God, God)
Uh, time goes by
Seven years of anguish come out finally
Oppressions all resolved
Into my heart come answers from my most trusted
Only one hope, only one soul
Only one smile, only one you
Definite answer to the truth of the world
Only one and unchanging me, right”
“Way I trust, way I go (That way, way, way)
Became my fate, became my core (Wherever, my way)
Hard it was, and sad it was (Only ego, ego, ego)
Still reassured and made me know myself (Just trust myself)”
j-hope doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He’s honest about the tough times and the moments he wanted to quit. But instead of getting stuck in regret, he sees those moments as part of his growth. Every choice brought him here, and he’s proud of that.
The music video matches the song’s vibe. It starts with scenes from BTS’s older music videos before shifting its focus onto j-hope. It’s like he’s flipping through memories and embracing the parts that made him the person he is today. Mazes and roads are featured prominently, but j-hope isn’t lost. He’s in the driver’s seat and knows exactly where he’s going.
Why Have j-hope End Map of the Soul: 7?
J-Hope is the perfect person to close out the Map of the Soul series. He’s known as BTS’s “sunshine,” a source of hope and comfort for the fans. But underneath his bright image is discipline and resilience.
While RM questions his identity and Suga struggles with his shadow, j-hope embraces everything. He answers the questions that were raised in Map of the Soul: Persona: Who am I? What do I fear? Where do I go from here?
He’s not running from the past; he’s using it as motivation. He knows who he is and what direction he’s headed. The joy in “Ego” isn’t nativity. It’s a conscious choice to embrace the positive.
In the end, the Map of the Soul series isn’t about finding a perfect self. It’s about accepting every part of the journey. The mask, the fears, and the strength built along the way. Outro: Ego reminds us that growth doesn’t always have to be heavy.
Sometimes, it looks like joy.
📌 Changelog
- June 8, 2025: Rewrote the article to include additional information. Changed image.
- February 2, 2020: Date original article was posted
