What does BTS’ upcoming album name, Arirang, mean?
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BTS will be releasing their long-awaited fifth full-length album titled Arirang in multiple physical versions on March 20.
PHOTO: EPA
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SEOUL – BTS officially revealed on Jan 16 that their long-awaited fifth full-length album is titled Arirang and will be released in multiple physical versions on March 20
The album was announced on Jan 5 through the fan platform Weverse. It promises to “delve into the emotional journey and introspection experienced by the seven members over the years”, said the group’s agency, BigHit Music.
With this in mind, Arirang is expected to carry deep meaning in accordance with the level of significance the term holds in Korean cultural history.
What is Arirang
Arirang is a Korean folk song with about 3,600 variations of 60 different versions, consisting of the refrain “arirang, arirang, arariyo”, as well as two simple lines that differ from region to region.
The song is estimated to be at least 600 years old and does not have a named original singer, as it is a traditional song that was passed down for centuries. Arirang appears twice on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, submitted by South Korea in 2012 and North Korea in 2014.
The folk song is often linked to what Koreans call “han”, a word referring to the complex emotion of deep sorrow, longing and grief mixed with resilience and hope.
Arirang is known to address themes of separation, lost love, tragedy and pain, but also perseverance and love for one’s country based on its regional variations, as well as how the song is sung.
Another major theme associated with Arirang is reunion, which makes the title a reference to the hiatus the members took throughout their period of military enlistment.
The term Arirang itself carries multiple interpretations.
Some linguists suggest that in ancient Korean, “ari” meant beautiful and “rang” meant “the one”, together forming the meaning “beautiful one”.
Other researchers say “ari” conveyed a sense of deep longing, rendering “arirang” as a phrase expressing yearning for a beloved – something both beautiful and painfully missed.
Arirang has held a key, symbolic position in Korea’s modern history – including during the Japanese colonial rule, the 1950-53 Korean War and the division of the peninsula – where the folk song has served as a symbol of national identity and resistance.
Historic records suggest that the song was a rallying cry during Korea’s struggle for independence under Japanese occupation, when efforts to eradicate Korean culture were at their peak.
What Arirang could mean for BTS
For BTS, choosing Arirang as their next album title appears to be both a symbolic and strategic decision, signalling a recalibration of the group’s identity following years of global expansion and an extended period of separation.
The themes traditionally associated with Arirang – separation, endurance and reunion – closely mirror BTS’ recent trajectory.
“Since announcing their group hiatus in 2022, the members have each fulfilled mandatory military service and pursued individual artistic paths, temporarily suspending full-group activities,” music critic Lim Hee-yun told The Korea Herald.
“Throughout this time, BTS waited for one another to fulfil their duties before reuniting together, but also to reunite with their fans, Army. Keeping that in mind, Arirang reads as a metaphor for both BTS and Army, for crossing a long and arduous path before eventually coming together.”
Beyond personal narrative, the album title also reflects a conscious return to cultural roots.
After years of record-breaking global success driven largely by incorporating Western pop frameworks into their tracks and English-language releases, BTS’ decision to foreground one of Korea’s most significant cultural symbols suggests a renewed emphasis on reconnecting with their identities, said Mr Lim.
BigHit Music has said the upcoming album will feature “music that best embodies BTS’ musical identity”, and will have 14 tracks.
Its release will mark BTS’ first full-group comeback in nearly four years, since their anthology album Proof in June 2022. It will also be the group’s first full-length release since Map Of The Soul: 7 in February 2020.
The Arirang album will be released in multiple versions, including a “Rooted in Korea” edition, a “Rooted in Music” edition and the “Living Legend” edition. There will be Weverse exclusive albums, as well as a travel tag CD box set.
A limited-edition red vinyl and member-specific vinyls differing in colour and design will also be released. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
