Excited, nervous, grateful and overwhelmed — BTS has been feeling the pressure as they gear up for their long-awaited comeback, “Arirang.” It took them more than 100 demos to decide on the lead track, to get the "truest representation of BTS," as they start their new journey.

"We thought so hard about what's most us," Suga said. "We concentrated our focus on just 'us' itself, rather than a grand message."


K-pop juggernaut BTS is finally making its long-awaited comeback with its fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” set to be released at 1 p.m. on Friday after months of buildup.

“Arirang” marks the group’s first new album release in three years and nine months since its anthology album “Proof” (2022) and the first full-group release after the members completed their mandatory military services.

The title, “Arirang,” draws its name from a collection of Korea’s traditional folk songs and follows the group’s reflection of its roots and identity, according to the members.

"We started by throwing around ideas here and there," RM said. "We even made a song about taekwondo during the songwriting session. It didn't make it onto the album, but I actually quite liked it."

With "Arirang," BTS is set on opening a new chapter of its career — BTS 2.0. "Arirang" is the beginning of that step, and each of the 14 songs will walk the listeners toward that journey they take.

"We are excited and nervous, but most of all, we're just grateful," the members collectively said. "We're just happy and grateful for the fact that the seven of us can get together for the first time in a long time and do this together. We came back with our best selves to greet ARMY [fan club], who have been waiting for us."

"We're just so happy to be able to do this again. We were overwhelmed because it's our first album in a long time, but we know we're OK because we're with each other and ARMY," added the members.

The following are edited excerpts from the Q. and A. of the seven BTS members, as unveiled by the members' agency BigHit Music in a press release.

Q. What was the biggest message that you wanted to get across with this album?

Jimin: We wanted to show you that we're moving forward. We do feel a sense of burden to always show something new and better. We have countless thoughts in our minds, but we wanted to show you that we will keep on swimming nevertheless.

Jungkook: We'd like you to think that we came up with "the truest BTS album" we could by carrying the times and colors of each member.


How did you decide on the "Korean" theme of the album?

RM: We believe that Koreanness is a vital keyword that binds all seven of us together. It's where we started — it's where our roots are. What's Korean is still being redefined, and it would be so amazing to be a part of that discussion.

Jin, Suga: The logo of the album started with Jungkook's idea. Then we added other ideas here and there from members to get the album concept we have now. We're all Korean, so we thought it would be good to have a Korean concept that sits naturally with the album.

J-Hope: We infused the Korean spirit and culture into the lyrics of the new album. We tried to create more bits where all seven of us could come together. I think that showing ourselves as we are again ultimately starts from our roots. It's because those roots are strong together that we are who we are today.

V: We all contributed a lot of ideas and thought about how to incorporate each of our own individuality. I think ARMY will also enjoy discovering them one by one.

What standards did you set when expressing Korean elements?

RM: Rather than taking Korean elements as they are in a fixed form, we wanted to reinterpret them naturally in our own way. We believe that the sentiment can be conveyed more broadly if we add our own interpretation with a balanced alteration. We wanted to approach "Arirang," which can be interpreted in many ways, from a slightly different and new perspective.

Jin, Suga: Rather than forcing Korean elements, we focused on blending them in a way that feels like us. We tried to balance preserving Korean sentiment while keeping BTS’s distinct color clear.

J-Hope: Balance and restraint are definitely important. But within that, there are moments where being bold can be more impactful. For this album and its performances, we aimed for a standard of "not excessive, but clearly expressed when needed."

Jimin: We thought about what defines our identity and how we express ourselves through music and performances. As part of that thought process, we also revisited the fact that all members are Korean. That’s why the Korean elements became crucial. That was especially the case with "Arirang," which is a word and folk song every Korean encounters from a young age; we felt both pressure and responsibility in choosing it as the album title.

Why did you choose “Swim” as the lead track?

RM: We spent the most time thinking about it because it's the lead track. We tried a whole month to create a song that could surpass "Swim," but it just wasn’t easy. When I first heard it, it felt like Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold noodles with a clean, simple taste) — simple and subtle in its charm. The more I listened, the more I felt like I wanted to swim along with this song.

Jin: Rather than a song that immediately hooks you, it's one of those songs that has a lasting quality that stays with you. There's a rhythmic point in the middle of the song — like the "ddong-ttada-dang" sound — that is especially memorable. It makes you lose track of time just listening to that part.

J-Hope: We worked to create a performance that makes listeners clearly hear the song even while watching the stage. There are details like movements that express waves and moments where we sink calmly as if diving. At first, we worried it might feel too plain among stronger tracks, but the more you listen, the more naturally it blends into the sound and feels comfortable. It also best matched the theme we wanted to convey, so we chose it as the lead track.

V: Among songs with strong sounds, "Swim" just felt the simplest. I didn't think that the song was catchy at first, but the more I listened, the more I felt this could be a song that people could listen to for a long time.

Jungkook: The more I listened, the more I felt, "Yes, this is the one." The lyrics also show "who BTS is now," and the performance has new elements different from before, so I hope you will pay attention to those details.

How do you hope “Swim” will be remembered?

Group: Just like life itself. We hope it becomes a song for everyone — splashing through each day, breathing in and out, swimming along. It’s a warm song that grows on you, so we hope it gives strength as people live through their lives. Just as "Arirang" has been passed down through generations and stayed with people for a long time, we hope "Swim" will also remain in many hearts for a long time.


What other new attempts did you make in this full-length album?

Group: If you listen to all the tracks, the album itself is very cohesive with a sturdy structure. We focused on expanding across genres, sound and vocal expression. We tried new genres, even if we hadn't been used to them before, and really worked to include expressions we hadn’t used before.

"FYA" features a hyper jersey-based sound with rough energy, while "Like Animals" and "Merry Go Round" incorporate psychedelic textures, creating music with a different feel. Even during recording, we made detailed changes, such as adjusting the sound to be more relaxed and simple. It’s hard to say we’re 100 percent satisfied, but we’re satisfied in that we’re still evolving and moving forward.

How were the songwriting sessions in Los Angeles?

Suga: We all lived together and worked on the songs. We ate our meals together every day and talked a lot. We also spent our free time in our own ways, but at night, we talked a lot about our rookie days. Being together again brought back many memories from the old days.

J-Hope: There were days when work went well, but on difficult days, we would have to cheer each other up and make sure we were doing OK on days that didn't go so well. The whole process of living together and making an album felt new.

Jimin: Right after our debut, we said, "Let’s make an album together by ourselves someday." So it was very meaningful that all seven of us participated in songwriting this time.

V: On my way back from working out, I came up with a theme, and this idea struck me, so I immediately tried singing it. The response was good, and everyone liked the overall melody, so it made it onto the album. That song is the final track, "Into the Sun."

Jungkook: It was especially memorable when we gathered together to listen to all the demos at once, which were more than 100 altogether. Some songs were new even to us because we worked separately, and just doing all that was part of the fun. It was just really enjoyable and happy all the way.

What does BTS 2.0 mean to each of you?

RM: I’ve thought about it a lot, but it’s hard to define it in just one way. I think it’s close to ‘balance.’ Half of it is the fact that the seven of us are together again, and the other half is that we need to move forward and change. It’s not easy, but it’s also that much more fun and meaningful.

Jin: I think we need to become a bit more mature. Our thoughts should become deeper, and we need to grow in every aspect. I also want to work even harder.

Suga: A "new beginning."

J-Hope: I see it as growing another step as artists. Expressing ourselves as we are while showing musical freedom and maturity is the beginning of 2.0.

Jimin: For me, I want us to keep striving for improvement and growth as we always have, rather than giving it a grand meaning — even if the way we express ourselves changes a bit.

V: I think it’s a story that includes growth. As time passes, new things naturally begin, but it’s also an opportunity for BTS to show how the experience and growth we’ve built on stage have made us who we are now.

Jungkook: It literally means "something new." It represents a new direction in everything. I also want to start with a new mindset.

What is one thing that hasn’t changed compared to the past?

RM: I like myself the most when I'm with the members. A side of me I like the most comes out — things like innocence and childlike qualities. We often say that we have the most fun when we’re together. It’s really not easy to meet friends who feel like family.

Jin: Rather than something unchanged, one thing that’s gotten better is that we’ve become even closer with each other. The atmosphere when we are together — naturally laughing and joking together — remains the same. We still go eat together at nice restaurants, too.

Suga, V: Our passion for the stage and love for performing will never change.

Jimin: There will always be difficulties when we take on new challenges. We have to continue nevertheless and think about what’s right when we make the choices. Even so, our attitude of continuing to move forward and "Swim" through life without stopping will not change.

J-Hope, Jungkook: Our feelings for ARMY will never change. We’re always grateful and love you.

What would you like to say to ARMY?

Group: We sincerely thank you ARMY for waiting for us for such a long time. We missed you a lot, and being able to be together again as seven is the most precious thing for us. We will come to you through music, performances, the upcoming world tour and many other activities.

Please enjoy it comfortably — are you ready to have fun with us? We’ve prepared many performances to enjoy together beyond just the album, so let’s enjoy it together. We truly love you.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]