Sorry the 2nd post is later again this week, I didn't manage to get it finished yesterday. :)
Last month I started a mini series called K-pop Comebacks, featuring the comebacks of K-pop groups during 2026. The first one was about BLACKPINK and you can see it here: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2026/03/k-pop-comebacks-blackpink.html
Today I'm focusing on BTS (one of the most popular Korean boybands). They debuted in 2013 and are a 7-member group, made up of leader RM, formerly known as Rap Monster (real name Kim Nam Joon), SUGA (Min Yoon Gi), Jin (full name Kim Seok Jin), j-hope (Jung Ho-seok), Jimin (Park Ji Min), V (Kim Tae Hyung) and Jungkook (Jeon Jung Kook).*
Since then, the boys have been very successful, not only in South Korea but internationally. They are probably one of the most well-known K-pop bands worldwide.
In June 2022, the group took a break while the members served their mandatory military service in Korea and have also been concentrating on their solo careers. Their last release was the anthology album Proof, which also came out in June 2022.
Over the next couple of years, the members completed their military service at various times and also released solo music. They reunited as a full group last summer, bringing out their first live album PERMISSON TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE in July 2025.
BTS made their official comeback last month, with the release of their album ARIRANG. It's their 5th Korean language (and 10th overall studio album) and 1st studio album since 2029's BE. ARIRANG was released on 20th March and the lead single SWIM came out on the same day. To date they have uploaded music videos for 2 more songs (2.0 and Hooligan) but they're not official singles.
The album's genre is primarily hip hop and pop , and the title refers to the traditional Korean folk song Arirang (which is native to both South and North Korea). The opening song Body to Body samples Arirang.
Side note: I first heard the word "Arirang" when we got the South Korean TV channel Arirang in the UK, nearly 10 years ago!
Visit this post to read more about the song Arirang: https://jaehakim.substack.com/p/korean-folk-song-arirang-bts-comeback
The new album is accompanied by a world tour (which started this month and continues until March 2027) and a Netflix documentary called BTS: The Return which follows the creation of ARIRANG.
In the documentary, the members open up about how they struggled to return to music after completing their military service. They also gave a live performance on 21st March, which was featured in a programme on Netflix called BTS THE COMEBACK | LIVE.
ARIRANG has already broken streaming records (on Spotify and Apple Music) and it sold over 4 million copies in South Korea in its first week of release. It also debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart and reached the top spot in many countries, including the UK, Australia, France, Canada, Greece and Japan.
The group's comeback has not been without controversy. The album teaser tells the story of 7 Korean students who attended Howard University in Washington, D.C, US in 1896 and performed the Arirang song, later recording it (and other songs) on wax cylinders However, reactions to it have been mixed, because although Howard is traditionally an HBCU (Historically Black College and University), most of the people in the audience in the video aren't black.
Since K-pop is heavily influenced by R'n'B and hip hop (as well as pop and other music styles) which originated in African American communities, it has sparked debate on how black/African American culture has influenced K-pop and the issue of cultural appropriation. This is quite honestly part of a wider conversation (also related to racism) that has been going on for some time.
Another discussion has been whether the group have moved too far from their K-pop roots since becoming globally famous.
ARIRANG consists of 14 tracks on the standard edition, including the lead single SWIM, Body to Body, 2.0. Hooligan, FYA and Please (my favourite song). There is also a deluxe vinyl edition which includes the bonus track Come Over. Other songs I like include NORMAL, they don't know 'bout us and One More Night.
Here are the singles/released songs and my favourites. :)
SWIM
SWIM is the lead single and came out on the same day as the album (20th March). Its an alternative pop and synth pop song and has all-English lyrics. Leader RM was the main songwriter and has said that he wanted to express the confusion he and the other members had around their time in the military and how they want to "just keep swimming".
The single has been very successful so far, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales Chart (earning the group their 13th No. 1 on the chart).
As well as a music video, there is an official performance video and visualisers for remixes featuring each of the members.
The music video stars American actress Lili Reinhart, alongside BTS.
Watch the official performance video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Y97xErGL8
Body to Body
Body to Body is the opening track but I've listed it second because it's not a single. It samples the Korean folk song Arirang and is pop rap, as well as hip hop. It'a a nice "mashup" of Korean and Western styles.
This is the audio.
2.0
A music video for 2.0 was released on 1st April. It reminds me of older songs of the group, like from the days of their debut studio album DARK&WILD (released in 2013).
2.0 isn't too popular with some fans, but others like it. The music video seems to be what people are into the most! It's not my favourite song on the album but I like it. :)
Click "Subtitles/closed captions" on YouTube for English subtitles! :)
Hooligan
A music video for Hooligan followed on 7th April. It's a rap song that also reminds me of older style BTS.
It's a mix of English and Korean lyrics. English subtitles available! :)
they don't know 'bout us
This is one of my fave tracks. An R'n'B song with a good beat.
Please
And finally, here is Please, my favourite song. It's a chilled song about the desire to stay together.
Buy/listen to ARIRANG here (this link is specific to the UK but it probably redirects depending on your country): https://bts.lnk.to/UnitedKingdom
Hope you enjoyed the post! :) What do you think of the new album?
I might do a couple more posts in this mini series. BIGBANG is making a comeback since it's their 20th anniversary this year. They're going on tour and performing at the American festival Coachella today and on 19th April! Also, member Taeyang recently released solo music.
BTS fan? Check out these posts:
BTS and MONSTA X Vieos (features music from both BTS and MONSTA X): https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2019/11/bts-and-monsta-x-videos.html
BTS' Boys Solo Careers- Part 1: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2024/10/bts-boys-solo-careers-part-1.html
BTS' Boys Solo Careers- Part 2: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2024/11/bts-boys-solo-careers-part-2.html
Music video for j-hope's MONA LISA (released in March 2025): https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2025/05/weekly-music-video_14.html
*Thee are Korean names with the surname/family name written first.
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