Overlapping Albums - Explanation of BTS Discography

Navigating BTS albums can be a little confusing for people who are unfamiliar, as there appear to be overlapping songs across albums. 

In short, albums typically come in series of threes, starting with two mini albums followed by a compilation album that also includes new songs. Therefore, mini albums do not contain repeated songs while compilation albums (and repackaged albums) do.

Discography by Era

Skool Luv Affair era

    • 2 Cool 4 Skool – MINI ALBUM

    • O!RUL8,2? – MINI ALBUM

    • Skool Luv Affair – MINI ALBUM

    • Skool Luv Affair: Special Addition – REPACKAGING of Skool Luv Affair

            • Includes all songs in Skool Luv Affair

            • Plus new song Miss Right

Dark & Wild – standalone album

The Most Beautiful Moment in Life era

    • The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.1 – MINI ALBUM
    • The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.2 – MINI ALBUM
    • The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever – COMPILATION of Pt. 1 & 2
            • Includes all songs in Pt.1 except Boyz with Fun

            • Includes all songs in Pt.2 except Intro: Never Mind

            • Plus new songs Dope, Fire, Save Me, and Epilogue: Young Forever

Wings era albums
    • Wings – MINI ALBUM
    • You Never Walk Alone – REPACKAGING of Wings

            • Includes all songs in Wings (Interlude: Wings is replaced with a longer version)

            • Plus new songs Spring Day, Not Today, and A Supplementary Story: You Never Walk Alone

Love Yourself era
    • Love Yourself 'Her' – MINI ALBUM
    • Love Yourself 'Tear' – MINI ALBUM
    • Love Yourself 'Answer' – Partial COMPILATION of 'Her' and 'Tear'
            • Includes all songs in 'Her' except Pied Piper, Outro: Her, and hidden track Sea

              (Intro: Serendipity is replaced with a full version)
            • Includes all songs in 'Tear' except 134340, Paradise, Love Maze, and So What

              (Outro: Tear is replaced with a full version)

            • Plus seven new songs Euphoria, Trivia: Just Dance, Trivia: Love, Trivia: Seesaw, Epiphany, 

              I'm Fine, Idol, and Answer: Love Myself

Map of the Soul era – Intended to come in three parts, but the latter two were combined
    • Map of the Soul: Persona – MINI ALBUM
    • Map of the Soul: 7 – COMPILATION of Persona

            • Includes all songs in Persona except Mikrokosmos and HOME

            • Plus 14 new songs, not including remixes

BE – latest album

______________________________________________________________

Other potentially complicating aspects of BTS's portfolio are that some songs have alternative English names. BTS has also released many songs outside of their official Korean albums.

Alternative song names

    • 2 Cool 4 Skool
            • Like – a.k.a. Like It or I Like It
    • O!RUL8,2?
            • Paldogangsan – a.k.a. Satoori Rap

    • Dark & Wild
            • Embarassed – a.k.a. Blanket Kick

    • The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.1
            • Intro: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life – a.k.a. Intro: Blooming Youth

            • Boyz with Fun – a.k.a. Fun Boys

    • The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.2
            • Silver Spoon – a.k.a. Crow-Tit or Baepsae

            • Autumn Leaves – a.k.a. Dead Leaves

    • The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever
            • Fire – a.k.a. Burning Up

Other releases and where to find them

Songs outside of Korean album releases fall into these categories: 

    • Individual mixtapes, singles, and covers – accessible on SoundCloud or Youtube BTS account
    • Pre-debut releases – accessible on SoundCloud BTS account
    • Group songs for special events – some are accessible on SoundCloud, some were only done live
    • Remixes of album songs – accessible on SoundCloud BTS account
    • Japanese songs – official album releases in Japanese, including re-recordings and new songs
    • Hidden tracks – Sea and Path are only accessible on hardcopy CDs
    • Collaborations – mostly available on streaming platforms under BTS or member profiles

The links below provide comprehensive lists of songs:
    • List of all unofficial songs
    • List of all official Korean and Japanese albums

A few favorite songs from outside of official Korean albums:
    • Ddaeng

    • 10,000 Hours (JK's cover)

    • Daechwita

    • Sweet Night

    • Waste It On Me