Boy band BTS unveiled the 14 tracks of its much-anticipated upcoming album "Arirang," with music for both the fans as well as songs that take a deeper dive into the minds of the seven members.

The band's fifth full-length album, set for release on March 20, shows off BTS's identity and encompasses the emotions that the members have felt on their journey so far, according to the band's agency BigHit Music.


The album will carry 14 tracks: lead track "Swim," along with B-side tracks "Body to Body," "Hooligan," "Aliens," "FYA," "2.0," "No. 29," "Merry Go Round," "Normal," "Like Animals," "they don’t know ’bout us," "One More Night," "Please" and "Into the Sun."

The lead track is an upbeat alternative pop song about the undying will of life, just like swimming against the tide in the ocean of life, according to BigHit Music. Leader and rapper RM took the helm of writing the lyrics.

Other tracks also reveal the BTS members' inner thoughts. In track "2.0" the seven members reveal new versions of themselves, while "Normal" talks about the members' emotions they feel on and off stage. "Hooligan" documents the memories and lessons that BTS has learned through its journey around the world. Another track, "they don't know 'bout us," presents an unapologetic declaration of the BTS members as they are.

The album also offers songs for fans.

Track No. 1, "Body to Body," is a song written to be enjoyed at a concert, while "Aliens" and "FYA" encapsulate the passion behind the band's long-awaited comeback. "Please" expresses BTS's wish to stay together — whether that be with each other or the fans — until the end of time.

BTS held a songwriting session in Los Angeles last summer for the album. Prominent music producers, including Diplo, Ryan Tedder, Flume and El Guincho, took part in the album.

The band is set to perform the songs for the first time during a comeback concert on March 21 in Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul. The performance will be streamed live on Netflix.


This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]