Authentic, Universal, and Diverse – Everything that makes BTS, BTS (‘ARIRANG’ by BTS – a review)

CW: Mention of suicidal ideation in the analysis for the song 'Merry Go Round.' If this topic triggers you, please avoid that section! I'll add another CW before it turns up in case anyone wishes to skip.

BTS IS BACK! I was so, so happy to hear ARIRANG as BTS’ return to music. It makes me ecstatic as an ARMY to see the band I’ve loved for over 9 years now creating with the same passion, dedication and intention that they always have – and to feel ARMY’s love for them as strong as it has ever been!

On the first listen of the entire album, I was really able to appreciate how BTS have revived the hip-hop styles and elements that featured in a lot of their older numbers from around when they first debuted. Everything that characterised albums like ‘O!RUL8,2?,’ ‘2 Cool 4 Skool’ and ‘Dark & Wild’ was blended perfectly into this album! I really loved seeing BTS get back in touch with these sounds from their debut days. I also really liked that many of the songs were in Korean, as I missed hearing the meaningful quality of BTS’ Korean lyricism. However, they blend these aspects from their past with English lyricism too that has come with their rise to global fame, expressing themselves beautifully in both languages and connecting with fans everywhere. Additionally, they blend the hip-hop elements with motifs, lyrics and sounds that represent their Korean heritage and culture – seen from the title, ‘ARIRANG,’ in itself. Thus, for me, the messaging, composition and delivery of this album seemed intentional and completely appropriate for BTS’ return to the music industry after their almost 3-year-long hiatus. 

While I was honestly overjoyed to see BTS back to making music, I will say the album took a little time to grow on me! I am someone who prefers BTS’ more melodic and vocal-focused numbers (my favourite albums are literally ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’ and ‘Love Yourself: Answer’), and I also grew to become a fan of the band when they were exploring a more pop-focused sound – the first I heard of them was ‘Blood Sweat and Tears,’ and then I witnessed the entire ‘Love Yourself’ series of comebacks followed by the ‘Map of the Soul’ series. Thus, a few of the songs on the album were not really my personal taste or vibe although I could appreciate the intentions behind including them on the album. I felt that the vocal members could have gotten more time to shine on many of the songs too and not had their vocals altered so much by autotune and similar effects – their voices are beautiful even with minimal embellishments! The second half of the album thus appealed more to me than the first half as it brought them more focus and had a more mellow, vocal and melodic vibe! I will also add though that the album grew on me – I watched the BTS Comeback Show on Netflix and the live performance completely transformed my experience of listening to the songs! The joy of seeing the members perform live again, watching the amazing choreography paired with their stunning live vocals made me genuinely love the songs even more and I knew that no matter what, BTS has composed something exceptional that truly and honestly represents who they are in this moment! And of course, writing these reviews always instils in me a newfound, deeper love and appreciation for the tracks I write about – and this one was no different!

The first half of the album really drives home that BTS are back on the musical scene. The songs heavily highlight BTS’ musical and cultural identities, while also being upbeat and creating hype around their return not just as artists but as performers on stage too. 

The album opens with ‘Body to Body,’ a track that truly shouts ‘BTS IS BACK!’ It calls on the energy and love of the BTS ARMY, but also brims with BTS’ musical roots, traditional Korean elements and a relatability and universality that is so characteristic of them. With the opening of “I need the whole stadium to jump,” itself, the track immediately hypes you up. ‘Body to Body’ shows the band sharing in the joy of a live show with their fans – they sing of standing close ‘body to body’ while dancing and singing the night away with their fans. BTS sing this with open, thrown-out tones in their voices, making even the studio version evoke the feeling of a live show thrumming with energy. The song is truly universal and relates to all the fans, including the rap lyrics in Korean, the choruses in English, and most importantly and interestingly, the poignant and emotional bridge that features the Korean folk song, ‘Arirang.’ BTS’ use of the traditional, widely recognised version of this song is key in calling to Korean cultural identity. The choice is also political in calling to their identity and strength as Koreans due to its use as a resistance anthem under imperial Japanese rule. This section of the song is paired with traditional Korean instruments as well and thus highlights BTS’ identity and heritage. Their choice of the song ‘Arirang’ is also emotional. ‘Arirang’ translates to “my beloved one,” and evokes a story of a bachelor and a maiden who fell in love across a wharf, singing this song while trying to cross the water to meet one another. Thus, this song symbolises trying to reunite with a loved one from whom you have been separated for a long time. They could thus allude to their return as a group to their love for music, and to BTS ARMY, after being away for many years. It’s truly so powerful and uplifting, then, to see fans across the world loudly and confidently singing the Korean lyrics to ‘Arirang’ with BTS in this song. They thus introduce their first album back as a group, showcasing their joy at returning as performers and being able to engage with their fans, their love for music, and share their identities with the world again.  

‘Hooligan’ is a masterfully composed track that draws on BTS’ hip-hop origins. With similar themes as ‘Body to Body,’ the boys sing of losing themselves in their music and going crazy like a ‘hooligan’ as they do so. The rhythmic laughter (“ha-ha-ha-ha hooligan”) on the chorus is particularly difficult to achieve technically and yet adds so much to the wild, insane vibe the song intends to convey. With ‘Hooligan,’ the boys call on their roots in hip-hop while also highlighting Korean musical elements. Along with lyrics like “Why this bassline slapping so rude? / Drop it lower than chopped and screwed,” referencing a hip-hop remixing technique, j-hope raps the word “eolssu” that is used in traditional Korean folk music, while Jimin accurately sings, “this is international.” The song blends three different sounds that are characteristic of BTS’ musical identity. The verses feature a strings-focused, orchestral sound, which is more mellow and characteristic of some of their post-2015 music. However, they also bring punchier hip-hop beats and sounds to the fore during the choruses, and lastly, what sounds to me like a Korean-style drum also jumps in during different sections of the song. They also show their passion for their art and how much they lose themselves in it – a theme in many of their previous songs like ‘Dionysus’ and ‘ON.’ BTS show us that no amount of time away has dimmed their passion for their art – the music will always consume them, and they will always stay tied to their ever-expanding identities in all their creations. 

BTS continue standing grounded in their identity on the next track, ‘Aliens.’ BTS clap back at the frequent mistreatment and racism they have faced when sharing their art in Western society. They sarcastically ask their detractors if they look “too funny,” and call themselves “aliens.” People of colour are often referred to as aliens by white people, considered outsiders who are too exotic to integrate into Western countries. Similarly, East Asians, amongst other POC, are mocked for their looks and told they “all look the same” or that they look “funny.” BTS leans into these comments and reclaims the jabs frequently thrown at them, holding their Korean heritage high as they do so. j-hope sings of “clap and shake it to the Jungmori rhythm,” a structure used in traditional Korean music. Meanwhile, the vocalists on the chorus sing, “From the Ka-Na to the Ha, watch and learn from us” – here, instead of singing ‘from the A to the Z,’ they reference the Korean alphabet, and leave us to understand their meaning, much the way people are looked down on when they do not know and understand English in Western countries. They also tell us, “If you wanna hit my house, shoes off at the door,” emphasising the tradition in East Asia to take off one’s shoes before entering the house. Rather than mold themselves to dominant Western language and customs, they call on the listeners to accept Korean language and traditions when welcoming them into the West.

In calling themselves aliens, BTS can also refer to how they found it difficult to fit into the Western music scene as Korean artists, beyond people judging them to be ‘exotic’ or ‘strange.’ However, a sense of pride and self-assuredness underlies this song, which suggests that they could be comparing their sweeping global success despite being Asians to a sci-fi style alien landing on Earth – despite being considered ‘aliens,’ being ‘different,’ they still managed to make their mark and be recognised and praised for who they are. Indeed, they sing of themselves “Out of the East, the sun is rising,” highlighting how their rise to fame has also contributed to Korean music and culture gaining more recognition worldwide. They call the haters “shameless” and demand their respect, having complete confidence and certainty in their place and their impact. I really enjoy the sound of this song; the vocalists shine beautifully as they sing on the chorus. Meanwhile, j-hope’s pre-chorus section is incredibly catchy, and I am OBSESSED with SUGA and RM’s rap sections – their verses drip with confidence and swag as they clap back at the haters and I really love the rhythms here. Overall, this is a diss track that sounds nonchalant and confident far more than angry and defensive, which is what gives it such an enjoyable quality that makes you as a listener vibe and laugh along with BTS at those who try to bring them down.

The next two tracks, ‘FYA’ and ‘2.0’ are high-energy tracks intended to hype up the crowd during shows. They highlight BTS’ relentless energy, effort and passion for music and how it will create waves of impact and love for their craft worldwide. I truly love the energy of watching these two songs performed live – both during the comeback live show and the screening of BTS’ concert in Japan, the boys performed with a palpable and contagious aura that ensures you can’t help but sing along and enjoy the songs with them! The transition from ‘Burning Up (Fire)’ to ‘FYA’ also absolutely blew my mind and was one of my favourite ways they blended their old and new tracks! However, sonically, these two songs didn’t really appeal to me personally – for me, the trap and hip-hop sounds were a little too harsh on the ears and I was also a little thrown off by the heavy use of vocal effects on all the members’ voices. It was honestly just my personal preference, though, and I will say that eventually I found ‘2.0’ to be an incredibly catchy song. I prefer it to ‘FYA’, and I genuinely find myself singing the “stop, riiiiiideeeeee” part without expecting it! With these tracks, I see BTS creating something similar to tracks like ‘Hip Hop Phile,’ and the ‘Cypher’ series featuring only the rap-line members. Again, the intention with these tracks is clear – it’s almost as though they blend every era they have been in over the last 13 years into this album. With hip-hop sounds being their foundation and introduction onto the music scene, it is most natural that in beginning this new chapter, they would go back to what they started with! 

After the crazy energy of this first half of the album, we approach the interlude, ‘No.29.’ The song is the sound of the Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok, known as National Treasure No.29 of South Korea. The song lasts 1:37, which is the amount of time for the bell’s sound to fade out after being struck. As Namjoon (RM) shared, this track transitions from the hyped-up first half of the album to the more mellow second half – and here too, they reference a key Korean symbol with this track that forces us to question and think. I also felt like BTS was giving us sound therapy with this bell sound to make us more mindful, which makes me smile when I think of it!  ‘No.29’ definitely draws your attention, as the reverbing sound of the bell is soft and sounds almost like silence. So you check your phone, your volume, if everything is working right – it forces you to be more present as you listen to the album and try to really understand what it is you’re hearing. As always, BTS and especially Namjoon sequence the tracks on their albums with true intention and consideration. The energy on the first half of the album builds up with each track, and then we are forced to stop and rest for a moment before we listen to the second half of the album. Thus, this song fits perfectly in the middle. The tracklist also mimics the structure of a live concert – a hyped up opening with growing energy in the setlist, followed by a break wherein the artists rest and change costume, then performing more mellow tracks before ending with a sense of togetherness and familiarity. 

The title track, ‘SWIM,’ is a beautiful and catchy pop number. Where BTS’ English tracks so far have been fun, peppy numbers, this song is more emotional and wistful its sound, where they now seem to approach creating global pop from a different lens. They seem to sing here about diving head-on back into music and into their relationship with their fans. For example, SUGA raps “take it off the ground, I ain’t never getting cold feet” and “sittin’ on the shore, now I’m ready for the whole sea,” RM raps “You ain’t even gotta love me bad, girl/You know that I’m never holding back girl,” while the choruses end with the lines “I just wanna dive, I just wanna dive.” BTS shows that as they enter this new chapter, they are back and ready to immerse themselves in their art and craft again. I really love the sound of this song – the bouncing rhythms and orchestral instrumentals really invoke the sound of waves and a ship on a stormy sea, especially j-hope’s rap section where he says the words “Splash, drift” and “Splash, drip.” The music accompanying him there really sounds like a splash! Meanwhile, the smoothness and romance characteristic of Jungkook’s voice come through beautifully as he sings the pre-chorus, his voice melting the heart as always. V’s classic deep, rich vocal tones are also so prominent on this song – I felt like ‘SWIM’ let the best parts of each member’s voice shine through completely which is what makes this song so enjoyable. While I definitely see it working as a title track with worldwide appeal from its English lyrics and classic pop sound, I thought that BTS’ first album in 3 years deserved a more hard-hitting lead number like ‘Body to Body,’ at least as a second title track to accompany this one. While ‘SWIM’ works in its own way, I feel ‘Body to Body’ speaks to who BTS are and how they want to portray themselves going further in this chapter – thus, choosing it would have been powerful and left an even more lasting impression with its artful and intentional composition.

CW: The analysis of this song mentions suicidal ideation towards the end. In case you would like to skip reading this topic, I will mark in bold where it continues on. 

‘SWIM’ fades into ‘Merry Go Round,’ which, despite its cheerful title, is an emotional track about dealing with the painful and confusing disillusionment of adulthood that comes from endlessly repeating routines and feelings. In describing their lives as a “merry go round” and “broken rollercoaster,” BTS show that what initially seemed like a short joyride, a wild, unpredictable but enjoyable experience, has now turned into a dizzying, spinning sense of sameness that weighs on them. They reference the repeated feelings of not being enough, of being constantly scrutinised and forced to control what they do, say and even what they express in the art they make. They also show that no matter how much these feelings weigh on them, they cannot escape the pains of fame and adulthood as their livelihoods now depend on it – “I can’t get off this merry go round/It spins me around/I do my best, but I can’t slow down.” 

While BTS describe the exhaustion that comes from the initially shiny aspects of fame turned sour, this track is relatable to anyone feeling disillusioned with their lot in today’s world. SUGA’s powerful line – “every day the same routine, merry-go-round or hamster wheel, don’t matter” highlights this beautifully. People are told to commit their entire lives to work and labour – at a young age, this seems exciting, and you still have the hope and drive within you, believing you can make an impact, make money and build the life you dream of. However, as your days repeat themselves in mundane tasks, hours-long work days and commutes that leave you with no energy or time to yourself, the cyclical routine begins to feel less like a merry joyride and more like a rat or hamster turning its own wheel endlessly with no purpose. 

Using the childlike connotations of ‘merry-go-round’ to convey the disillusionment that comes with the money-making rat race of adulthood is also highly poignant. We often yearn for the carefree excitement and comfort of childhood as we struggle through the adult world. We enter that world still somewhat being innocent children and expecting it to be joyful and exciting in its own way but are inevitably disappointed. J-hope’s lines heart-wrenchingly convey this feeling – “the child inside me is crying out/I’ve had more than enough of this spin/please take me out, ma.” It also alludes to the feeling of a child being forced onto a merry-go-round that’s spun around too fast – feeling scared and dizzy and seeking their parents to take them off the ride and calm them down. The song ends on RM’s painfully composed rap. As with all his songs and verses, this one too features impactful, emotional lyricism that holds up a mirror to the listener’s pain. He includes his classic wordplay and use of homophones – “my bed is my coffin/Maybe my whole world’s just one big caffeine.” He describes the feeling of being depressed and unable to get out of bed, feeling like death itself and maybe even wishing for it in bed. He combines this with unhealthy addiction to caffeine as a coping mechanism for such feelings. He suggests that his entire world of emotions feels like the buzzing rush of drinking too much coffee – he has no respite from his endless thoughts and unease. Indeed, he goes on to rap “Again, thoughts on thoughts on thoughts on thoughts/I’m thinking about how to stop thinking,” capturing this endless overthinking spiral perfectly. BTS once again capture a deeply human emotion and experience in a touching, emotional and relatable manner. 

'End of Merry Go Round analysis'

Continuing a similar theme of the downsides of fame, the next track ‘NORMAL’ features a desperation and confusion in addressing these feelings. BTS speak of these struggles, so far only expressed in Korean, in English now – suggesting the impact of global acclaim and recognition on their psyche too. It is refreshing to see their English tracks transition into contemplative songs with darker, more emotional themes. BTS describe the peaking highs and abysmal lows of being in the spotlight – “kerosene, dopamine, chemical-induced.” They describe how reactive and volatile public perception of influential people can be, with fiery anger and vitriol switching quickly into endless praise and appreciation. They show how the “hate” and “love” has made them “bulletproof,” alluding to the meaning of their Korean name ‘Bangtan Sonyeondan’ – ‘Bulletproof Boys.’ Wherever they have used the word ‘bulletproof’ in their lyrics previously (‘We are Bulletproof: Pt2,’ ‘We are Bulletproof: The Eternal,’ ‘Attack on Bangtan’), it stood for what it meant. ‘Bulletproof’ showcased their strength as a group, their resilience against struggle and difficulty. However, in ‘NORMAL,’ the word is accompanied by a certain vulnerability – instead of their strength, they describe the bullets that they had to take to their mental peace and self-esteem to become bulletproof. The quickly changing tides of hate and love surrounding them and their every action were something they had to learn how to brave – while they have always had the name ‘Bulletproof Boys,’ building that strength internally took struggle and time. They emphasise that despite “fantasy and fame” being “things they choose,” the whiplash of all these quickly changing perceptions and constant scrutiny of their behaviour causes confusion for them too – in trying to keep up with people’s expectations of them, they forget who they are and what they want amongst it all. Just because they “choose” this career path doesn’t mean that it should be considered “normal” for people to treat them with vitriol or seek to know every aspect of them so they can judge it. This contrasts with ‘Merry Go Round,’ where they seem to blame themselves, saying, ‘Maybe I’m the only one to blame’ for their disillusionment with choosing fame. They now recognise that choosing fame doesn’t make them responsible for how negatively people can treat them.

The rappers of the group deliver an emotional but hard-hitting verse, each referencing their solo works that dive deeper into the feelings described here in ‘NORMAL.’ J-hope grapples with a dilemma he has explored in songs like ‘MORE.’ In choosing a name like ‘hope’ and portraying a persona that brims with optimism and light, he struggles to reconcile this with his feelings of doubt and struggles with being constantly scrutinised and criticised as a famous artist. As he realises in his solo works, here too, he raps, “Now I understand the truth, some pain don't heal/If everything's just happy, mm, that ain't real.” He learns to express his struggles and sadnesses too as they form part of him. Meanwhile, SUGA references his song ‘People,’ wherein he explores the dichotomy between what’s considered ‘special’ and ‘ordinary’ for people in different contexts. He considers how his life of glamour and fame seems special to someone who is not in the spotlight, while to him, a simple life being unknown to the world is what he has grown to consider special. However, in ‘NORMAL,’ he states, “Normal and special, they are just some lines,” suggesting these perceptions are arbitrary. Indeed, he goes on to describe grasping on to minutes of calm that he finds ‘special,’ but “what he tries to keep never wants to stay” – those moments slip away from him before he knows it. Meanwhile, RM’s section poses a poignant question that echoes lyrics from his song ‘Wild Flower.’ In ‘Wild Flower,’ he states, “And don't tell me like you gotta be someone/Because I'll never be like them,” and in ‘NORMAL,’ he asks, “Said you wanted all of me, but what is even all of me?” In both songs, he fights against expectations of him that he cannot place. When asked to “be someone,” he cannot figure out who to emulate when every action of his is judged and he is criticised for anything he wishes to do. Similarly, in ‘NORMAL,’ he describes how people often want to know “all of him,” but he worries how far they will go to discover every aspect of him, and what new criticisms that discovery will provoke. He may also reference being told to ‘give his all’ all the time – wondering how much is ‘all,’ truly, if there’s always more ‘all’ to give. The message of this song shines prominent and clear with the loud electric guitars and drum beats echoing BTS’ frustration, doubt and confusion with the negative effects of fame. 

The next track, ‘Like Animals,’ is probably my favourite on this album. This haunting alternative rock number brings all the members’ vocals to the fore, with the rappers also singing the verses on this song. BTS return to the themes of being open, free and (quite literally) wild in this song. They delve deeper into this by showcasing how being truly wild and free involves accepting the darker, primal parts of you, conveyed in SUGA’s lines, “So what, your shadow’s a mess/I’m walking with my own dirt.” RM echoes this in his lines, emphasising how true freedom lies in relinquishing control over how you are perceived and simply accepting the underlying, hidden parts of you that make you who you are:

“Six feet down in the sand

There’s creatures that made a hole

Do speak, I’m begging you, please

There’s beauty outside control.”

j-hope’s verse then suggests that we all have a wild, animalistic side to ourselves – a passionate, primal side that devours what it wants out of life, that pounces on what it wishes, a side that is not “tameable” once it emerges. This also is seen in the powerful lyric on the chorus, “Eat this life till your heart is full/If you want, you can have it all.” With this song, BTS let go of the expectations that have weighed on them and confused them in the last two songs – they resolve to instead go wildly and freely after their dreams, regardless of what people think. This song is beautifully composed, and the members’ vocal abilities are truly made to shine. Jin, especially, masters a haunting, high-pitched call with his clean, straight vocal tone that adds to the eerie, dark and wild aura of this song – his sections are even more chilling to listen to when he sings them live! 

BTS appear to gain more confidence in their own passion and direction in ‘Like Animals,’ which they carry into the next song, ‘they don’t know ‘bout us.’ Here, they completely forego external expectations of them, realising that people who unfairly criticise their every move and claim to know them in fact know nothing about who they truly are. The bluesy sample that repeats during different sections of the song emphasises this sentiment. BTS respond to those who try to examine and critique their every opinion, action and belief. Jungkook asserts, “everybody hears the story that they wanna,” while SUGA retorts with, “You don’t need to know, why you so pressed to find out?” Here, they clap back at the haters who are constantly nosing around in their private lives and business to seek out things they can scrutinise and dog on BTS for. Often, owing to their exploding global fame and release of a few English tracks, listeners have claimed BTS “changed” for the worse. BTS address those comments in this song too. The verses evidence this, opening with, “They keep asking what was so different/I answer, I don’t know either.” Importantly, j-hope raps a cleverly crafted line – “You said we changed? / Ah, we feel the same.” In saying this, he means multiple things. He could claim that he agrees with the listeners – they have changed as a group, because becoming an adult, constantly being in the spotlight, and gruelling military service do change a person thoroughly. Expecting someone to stay the same over years of their life is illogical. He could also claim that BTS “feel the same” as they used to – they haven’t changed, for them, everything is exactly as it was. In this case, he refers to the infallible bond the seven members have with one another, and the bond the group shares with their fans – that love is unchanged, and for them, thus, they feel as strong and loved as always no matter who thinks they changed. Lastly, he could mean he feels the same about some of the ‘fans’ or listeners – he feels they have changed for the worse too. He may allude to unhealthy parasocial behaviours that often start from a place of admiration and love and devolve into excessive obsession and scrutiny of the idols when they don’t live up to the expectations the fans have placed on them. When Hoseok says these fans have ‘changed,’ then, he could suggest that their love for him has changed – they have long crossed the boundary of admiring him into obsessing over his every move and critiquing him. 

This R&B-style track is groovy and catchy, especially the post-chorus – V’s deep, sensual voice singing this scratches your brain in just the right way! Additionally, we hear Jin and Jimin using vocal tones that are rarely heard on their voices. Jin, for instance, primarily sings along to the blues-y sample of “they don’t know ‘bout us,” which brings out a different colour to his voice. Jimin, meanwhile, known for his silvery, soft tones and perfect high notes, opens the first chorus with a low, dark tone, almost a growl on “they don’t know ‘bout us.” Overall, this song sees BTS exploring an R&B sound, which is generally uncommon for them – it is as though they sarcastically show the haters how they have “changed” by creating something completely unexpected with a distinctive, unique sound!

The album now begins to transition towards the end – BTS brings in a feeling of togetherness and yearning to stay longer with their fans in ‘One More Night’ and ‘Please.’ Usually, towards the end of their concerts, they sing songs that speak directly to their relationship with their fans and their love for them – and this comes through in the sounds of these tracks and in their placement on the album’s setlist-style tracklist. In ‘One More Night,’ BTS long for the feeling of performing and interacting with their fans, describing it as a “fantasy” that helps them escape their daily worries, a dream that they never wish to wake up from. The pre-chorus is particularly catchy. The band describes the track as being in the ‘acid house’ genre – it sounds sensual and luxurious, almost as though singing of a lover. As they sing, they seem to desire a very physical kind of intimacy – “Twenty-four hours in the tub/Twenty-four hours of your thought.” Many of the melodies reminded me of tracks by The Weeknd, having a dreamy, lucid vibe. Meanwhile, ‘Please’ has a similar but more emotional sense of longing and yearning. Of the two I prefer this one, which features lo-fi synths and guitars to create a cosier, softer vibe. In ‘Please,’ BTS declare their love for a companion, vowing to stick by them even through the darkest times – “Hold you even tighter now, even hell, I’m down.” SUGA’s verse adds on to this as he references his older songs like ‘Life Goes On’ and ‘Snooze,’ as he sings “Path of thorns, I’ll tread right over/The world’s always getting in between us/Going in circles, where we getting started.” Jimin and Jungkook’s vocals sound smooth and sweet on this song, their sincerity and devotion to the person they sing of ringing clear, especially with the desperation in their voices on the lines “Baby, oh, please.” I also love RM’s voice on the pre-chorus, his lower vocals when combined with the rhythms of this section hit just right! The simplicity and sincerity of the emotion in both these songs make them both relaxing and enjoyable to listen to!

The album ends on ‘Into the Sun,’ building up BTS’ love for their fans to a peak. It’s the perfect ending for the album/concert, drawing fans to interact with BTS as they express their deepest love for them while saying goodbye. It’s reminiscent of loving, fan-focused numbers like ‘2! 3!’ and ‘Mikrokosmos.’ The song features gentle instrumentals with an acoustic guitar and a flute, that add to the intimate, cosy vibe of singing along to it with BTS. The song opens with V and Jungkook’s vocals, embellished with a distorted chorus effect creating a rustic, nostalgic vibe. This opening with a soft whistling melody and the open guitar paints a picture of a field bathed in golden light, where BTS seem to call out to someone beloved to them. Throughout the song, they reference both light and dark times – “Until the break of dawn, I/Will be guarding you into the sun,” “Passing through the dark night, greeting the morning as it comes/Open your eyes into the sun.” They try to keep their eyes on the brightness of the sun that always comes, even briefly, after dark nights – holding positivity and love as a constant that will always recur to motivate them to go further. RM’s verse puts this particularly beautifully – he references “the hour of the dog and the wolf,” which refers to twilight, when the two animals cannot be told apart due to the darkening day. This evokes a sense of danger and mistrust, but he continues on with confidence, seeking to “go home to where you are” and calling his companion “wonderful.” Jin’s vocals here are emotional as he ends this section on a high note, vowing to always hold onto the beauty of this feeling.

With this emotional concluding track, BTS vow to keep moving towards the bright ‘sun’ of their fans’ love even when things feel dark. The simple English lyrics on the chorus seem crafted perfectly for fans to chant and sing along with the group:

 “You call, I run

Dark days, and find the sun

I don’t care how far

Just wait, dawn”

The shout of ‘Dawn!’ at the end comes with a burst of happiness as you listen to it, almost as if you emerge from a dark cave into a bright, sunny morning. This is felt especially towards the end of the song, where it then builds into a drum roll before the outro, and BTS sing sincerely all together, “I’ll follow you into the sun.” Overall, I really love this song, especially when performed live. BTS’ fan songs are always so close to my heart, making me both incredibly happy and emotional to be a part of the worldwide family that loves them and is influenced by their wonderful music, and to be at the end of a power-packed and amazing concert by these incredibly talented guys. 

‘ARIRANG’ is thus a powerful statement from BTS as they return to the music industry for the next leg of their career. They convey their love, their identities, their heritage and even their insecurities with confidence and openness on this album, ensuring both the lyrics and the compositions speak truly to who they were, who they are and who they want to be as artists. There’s something to appeal to every fan’s taste – darker, edgier-sounding songs alongside gentler, vocal numbers; lyrics in English and Korean; songs perfect for the hype on stage and also for crying to in your room on a hard day. It is an intentional and poignant album solely because every aspect of it feels so carefully chosen and truly blends every single sound and feature of BTS. As always, BTS remain the global superstars they are because through their personalities and identities, they find ways to remain universal and authentic – and that’s the real magic of ‘ARIRANG!’

References:

ARIRANG English Translations - Genius

ARIRANG Lyrics - Genius -- used to read official commentary and analysis from BTS on the songs

Wild Flower - RM (English Translation) - Genius