BTS Returns With New Album 'ARIRANG'

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BTS has released a new albun called ARIRANG (Credit: Netflix)

After nearly four years apart for mandatory military service in South Korea, BTS is back on the global music scene. The seven-member K-pop group — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — released their new album ARIRANG on March 20, 2026. It is their first album together since Proof in 2022.

ARIRANG is inspired by a popular Korean folk song of the same name. The album’s 14 songs blend hip-hop, pop, and traditional Korean elements. ARIRANG sold millions of copies in the first week. Its lead single, "Swim," quickly topped music charts worldwide.

BTS celebrated the album’s launch with a free, live concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. For BTS fans known as ARMY, the concert felt like an emotional reunion. About 100,000 fans attended in person, and over 18 million more watched it online on Netflix.

Netflix streamed the March 21 concert online (Credit: Netflix.com)

Following the live-streamed performance, Netflix released BTS: The Return, a documentary filmed around the concert. The film gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the group’s creative process, including recording sessions. It also captures the thrills and challenges of returning to the stage.

BTS is now getting ready for the ARIRANG World Tour. It will kick off in South Korea in April 2026 and run through March 2027. The tour features 80 shows across 23 countries. The North American leg includes stops in California, Texas, Illinois, and New Jersey. Most concerts are already sold out, showing the group's continued deep connection with its ARMY around the world.

Resources: Netflix.com, The Guardian.com, Reuters.com

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54 Comments
  • happypandagal1
    I love BTS, do not get me wrong. But Stray Kids is amazing. I really do adore BTS, but mellow beat songs don't speak to me, and that's what a lot of BTS is.
    • buwiguwagiri
      REALLLL but have you listened to the new album? It is more like Stray Kids. And i'm saying this as a Stay.
      • happypandagal1
        Okay. i'll def try it, since you listen to Stray Kids and you're saying its like them. Thxxx
    • cutiepie018
      I don't really watch BTS but it seems cool
    • pigutapebony
      I like bts
      • wesotiremuma
        I love kpop
      • wesotiremuma
        I love k-pop
        • bysebukufome
          I love BTS. My fav song from them is butter. It’s so catchy and really makes me want to dance. I love dance to K-pop songs and this is probably one of the top of my list. I hope that other people agree with me! I am really excited for this! 😆😆
        • gizawylobohy
          please don't get mad at me but in MY OPINION Straykids is better. BTS had so much people who had made them overrated and I bet if they were to have a member leave army would blame skz, skz had earned it through working hard yet, blinks and other fans of other groups are blaming skz, I have nothing against BTS but I think they're overrated, and I just wanted to share that. I do think both Straykids and BTS are good, But you should definitely listen to skz at least some of their songs.
        • seranywyfojy
          I am so glad the BTS are finally back
          • ilovegubbiezxd
            OMG... I cant believe their finaly back... eek!
            • cocohawaii
              cocohawaii28 days
              I love BTS!