BTS proved nearly untouchable this year, making headlines for their passionate fanbase (called ARMY), for breaking records on the Stateside charts, selling out stadiums around the world, and for speaking out about self-love at the UN. At the core of that success is their music. Most of it is self-written and produced, all assembled from a seamless blend of unique musical influences from South African dance music to traditional Korean pansori. It is all bursting with honest, raw emotion that speaks directly to young people.Love Yourself: Tear is the middle chapter of the three albums in BTS’ Love Yourself series. It is by far the darkest, as it explores the hard reality of facing insecurities and self-doubt to heal. And it resonated: in May, it became the first album by a Korean act to top the Billboard 200. Tear is a journey, from the smoky, brooding opener “ Singularity ” (“My agonizing phantom pain is still the same, have I lost myself, or have I gained you?”) to the frustrations expressed in “ Fake Love ” (“I grew a flower that can’t be bloomed in a dream that can’t come true”), to the warm, safe haven described in the fan-dedicated “Magic Shop” (“You gave me the best of me, so you’ll give you the best of you”). One of the most powerful B-sides is “Paradise,” a welcome exhalation that presents listeners with the option to ignore ambitious dreams and instead be content in the here and now.The album is undoubtedly some of the best work BTS has produced yet, providing a catharsis for both the group and all those who listen. The septet took a leap of faith this year, and the result has inspired across cultures and languages.