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BTS Releases Fifth Studio Album 'Arirang' Following Group Hiatus and Military Service

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BTS Returns with Fifth Studio Album "Arirang" and Lead Single "Swim"

K-pop group BTS released their fifth studio album, "Arirang," and its lead single, "Swim," on Friday, March 20. This marks the group's first album in nearly four years, following a period during which all seven members completed mandatory military service in South Korea and pursued individual musical projects. The album's title references a traditional Korean folk song, emphasizing the group's Korean heritage and exploring themes of longing and impermanence.

Album Release and Context

The album, "Arirang," was made available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Melon, and Genie Music, with physical releases also issued. It follows the group's 2022 album "Proof" and 2020's "Be." Big Hit Entertainment described "Arirang" as a "deeply reflective body of work" that explores the group's "identity and roots."

Military Service and Group Hiatus

All seven members—RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—undertook South Korea's mandatory national service requirement for men aged 18 to 28, which typically lasts 18 to 21 months. The group's enlistments were staggered:

  • Jin enlisted in December 2022 and was discharged in June 2024.
  • J-Hope enlisted later in 2024.
  • RM, V, Jimin, and Jung Kook were discharged in early June 2025.
  • Suga completed his service on June 21, 2025.

During this hiatus, members released solo musical projects. These included:

  • Jimin's "Muse"
  • RM's "Indigo" and "Right Place, Wrong Person"
  • Suga's "D-Day" (under his alter ego Agust D)
  • Jung Kook's "Golden"
  • J-Hope's "Jack in the Box" and docuseries "Hope on the Street"
  • V's "Layover"
  • Jin's "Echo"

Album Production and Themes

The 14 tracks for "Arirang" were recorded between July and November 2025 in Los Angeles. During this period, the group members relocated to the city and resided together for two months, marking their first shared residence in several years.

The album's title, "Arirang," draws from the traditional Korean folk song of the same name, which was the first Korean song recorded by Korean men with American ethnologist Alice Fletcher in 1896. This naming choice highlights the group's emphasis on Korean heritage.

RM noted that the folk song embodies "han" (deep sorrow and longing), a sentiment resonating with the Korean experience. The album's themes also encompass universal emotions of longing, love, and the concept of impermanence.

During production, discussions between members and management addressed artistic visions and business objectives. Members expressed fatigue and frustration regarding the production timeline, with Jimin noting that he felt rushed. J-Hope expressed a desire for the music-making process to be enjoyable, while V commented that the intended experimental nature of the project did not feel distinct to him. The group also faced expectations to incorporate more English lyrics for global appeal, with Suga and RM advocating for a greater inclusion of Korean lyrics to maintain authenticity.

Member Contributions and Collaborations

RM is credited on nearly every track of "Arirang." Other group members, including Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, also hold songwriting and production credits across the album. Jin, who joined production later due to prior solo tour commitments, did not receive songwriting credits for this album.

The album features collaborations with various external producers and songwriters, including:

  • Diplo (contributing to 5 songs)
  • Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic frontman, with writing/production credits on 4 songs)
  • Mike WiLL Made-It (on "2.0" and "Aliens")
  • Flume (co-producer on "FYA")
  • Kevin Parker (Tame Impala, co-produced "Merry Go Round")
  • El Guincho (co-produced "Hooligan")
  • JPEGMAFIA
  • Pdogg
  • Teezo Touchdown (co-writing "Body To Body")
  • Sarah Aarons (Australian artist)

Musical Style and Key Tracks

"Arirang" is described as the group's most experimental album, incorporating elements of hip-hop, pop, and R&B.

Suga characterized the album as "quite different" from previous BTS albums, reflecting a "more mature side" of the group.

The first half of the album leans into uptempo hip-hop tracks, including "FYA" (jersey club), "Aliens," "Hooligan," "2.0," "They Don’t Know ’Bout Us," and "Normal." The second half explores diverse musical styles:

  • "Swim" is a synth-pop song and the lead single.
  • "One More Night," produced by Diplo, features an early-Nineties house influence.
  • "Please" exhibits a Nineties R&B sound.
  • "Merry Go Round," co-produced with Kevin Parker, is an electro-pop track.
  • "Like Animals" incorporates an acoustic-guitar rock loop.

The album's opening track, "Body to Body," incorporates an interpolation of a Korean folk song alongside traditional Korean percussion. Another track, "No. 29," features a 98-second recording of the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, designated as South Korea's National Treasure No. 29 (also known as the Emille Bell). The album concludes with the song "Into the Sun."

"Arirang" Track List:

  1. “Body to Body”
  2. “Hooligan”
  3. “Aliens”
  4. “FYA”
  5. “2.0”
  6. “No. 29”
  7. “Swim”
  8. “Merry Go Round”
  9. “Normal”
  10. “Like Animals”
  11. “they don’t know ’bout us”
  12. “One More Night”
  13. “Please”
  14. “Into the Sun”

Promotional Activities

In support of the new album, BTS has scheduled a series of promotional events:

  • A music video for the lead single “Swim” is slated for release.
  • A free comeback concert featuring all seven members will be held in Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, and will be broadcast exclusively via a Netflix livestream.
  • On March 23, the group will perform in New York at the "Spotify x BTS: SWIMSIDE" event for 1,000 fans, marking their first performance in the city in nearly four years.
  • A documentary titled "BTS: The Return" will be available on Netflix on March 27. The film chronicles the group's comeback and the making of "Arirang," offering insight into their creative process and challenges.
  • An 82-date world tour is scheduled to begin on April 9 and conclude in March of the following year, covering 34 regions, including dates in Australia scheduled for 2027.
  • Screenings of two concerts, officially titled "BTS World Tour ‘Arirang’ Live Viewing," are planned for April 11 in Goyang, South Korea, and April 18 in Tokyo.

Group History

BTS, initially known as Bangtan Sonyeondan, debuted in June 2013 with the album "2 Cool 4 Skool." The group gained global attention in 2016 with "Wings" and has since achieved multiple notable milestones, including topping the Australian ARIA albums chart, the US Billboard 200 album chart, and the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart multiple times. BTS has also won the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year trophy twice.