Five years since they released a full-length album, BTS returns from their military hiatus. As they finish their army service, their fans, called ARMY, are excited for their comeback with the release of their new album “ARIRANG” on March 19, 2026.
With the same seven members, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, BTS released 14 tracks in their album, and is planning on going on a world tour in 2026. “ARIRANG” is a classic Korean folk song that is considered their unofficial national anthem. The term is often translated as “my beloved one,” and the name is very intentional as they once built their global career on their Korean identity, now trying to return to the roots that they came from.
Prior to their album’s official release, BTS released an animated trailer called “What is your love song?” This trailer emphasizes the powerful storytelling ability that music holds. The trailer takes BTS back in time to Korean men singing “ARIRANG” 1896 with transitions into 2013–BTS’s debut year–with BTS performing on stage. As the trailer comes to a close, the animation asks the audience, “When the world feels heavy, when your heart feels light. What is your love song?”
“ARIRANG” opened with the song “Body to Body,” which carefully blended together a hip-hop beat and references to the traditional “ARIRANG” song. Repeating “ARIRANG” and phrases like “I need the whole stadium to jump,” BTS drew on themes of reconnection and made their own statement on what music means to them. Following this song are “Hooligan,” “Aliens” and “FYA.” These songs share similar rhythms, with a type of high pitched noise transitioning into a song consisting of loud instruments and voices–like a song that would play in a night club.
After this explosive start, the album shifted direction. “No. 29” starts with a single piano chord followed by what is essentially one minute and 30 seconds of silence. However, after this song is “SWIM,” which is also the album’s first single. “SWIM” offers calmness right after listening to songs dominated by high energy. “No. 29” and “SWIM” act as transitions in the album towards songs with softer instruments and catchier rhythms. As the theme of facing hardships drifts throughout the album, like an object among waves, it emphasizes the challenges that BTS had to face when considering their return to the big stage.
After this breather came my favorite part of the album. The following songs reflected BTS’s more vulnerable side, the side that people don’t get to see from their performances on stage. My personal favorite song of the entire album is “One More Night,” an upbeat song that explores the difference between living life in the spotlight and the life of a normal person.
Overall, the album is good as it tells the story of BTS, from their debut with loud, chaotic moments of fame, and their long transition period after their army service where they were forced to take a step back and consider whether dipping their toes back into the dangerous waters of fame would be a good idea. I would rate the album a 4.5/5.
