The most anticipated comeback of the century has finally arrived. On March 20, the K-pop boy group BTS has released their new album “ARIRANG.”
The album consisted of the songs “Body to Body,” “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “FYA,” “2.0,” “No. 29,” “SWIM,” “Merry Go Round,” “NORMAL,” “Like Animals,” “they don’t know ‘bout us,” “One More Night,” “Please,” and “Into the Sun.”
Compared to their last album, “Permission to Dance on stage – live” (2025), which is more a dance pop and electro pop album, “ARIRANG” is a blend of hip-hop, EDM, and trap.
When first listening to the album, I didn’t have much expectations. I was more excited listening to new music from one of the first groups that got me into K-pop. Some of their songs reminded me of their first album “Dark & Wild” (2014), this album was more hip-hop influenced.
My top five songs from the album were “FYA,” “2.0,” “SWIM,” “Merry Go Round,” and “Like Animals.”
One song that caught me off guard was “No. 29,” this song has no vocals for all of the one minute and thirty-eight seconds. All the audience hears is a recording of the Bell of King Seongdeok.
To coincide with the album’s release, BTS also held a concert March 21. This concert was held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea. The concert was open to the public to celebrate not only the album, but also a reunion for each member finishing their military service. The concert drew in 22,000 fans, along with hundreds of fans in the surrounding area.
Fans who weren’t in South Korea at the time, could watch the concert via Netflix. Netflix had a livestream for all fans to watch.
Apart from the concert and album that was released, a new lightstick was also created. This is the fourth version of BTS light stick or ARMY Bomb. The light stick can only be found at Target, Weverse, or specialty K-pop retailers. With the light stick also being released on March 20, many Targets in Bakersfield and all over the country sold out immediately after opening their stores.
Overall, BTS’s new album “ARIRANG” was decent. I wouldn’t say it’s one of my top three favorite albums from their discography; however, this album could possibly be my top five if I listen a few more times.