BTS’ ARIRANG Is One That Carries Dreams
by Heesun Park
BTS released the name of their long awaited comeback album yesterday.
For Koreans, the word “arirang” at first glance summons a wave of meaning and emotional response. Most recognized as a folk song, “Arirang” has become a longstanding symbol of Korean heritage due to both its omnipresence and lyrical meaning. Though the precise story the song depicts has been long disputed, having been written in a forgotten Korean language and its origins lost, the themes of the song are clear. It tells of sorrow, separation, longing, and resilience. It is the psalm of the Korean spirit, evoked in times of strife and in times of joy.
From the streets of historical Goryeo-era Korea to the streets of a Korea that was suppressed by Japanese colonization. From the Korea that hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics under the shadows of a dictatorship to the Korea that still exists today despite it all. “Arirang” represents the very soul of every Korean. It is the embodiment of the transcendental Korean emotion of han.
Though BTS’ exact usage of “arirang” has still not been revealed (Are they sampling the melody? The lyrics?), BTS has made it clear through their recent livestream: their ARIRANG goes beyond a superficial reference.
“I miss civilian life, I miss ARMY, and I really miss the BTS members, and I miss the past. So, also now, since “Arirang” contains all the joys, angers, sorrows, and pleasures of life together, that kind of emotion felt like it could, in this album of ours—we’re putting out an album for the first time in a while—encompass what we’ve been through so far: the joys, angers, sorrows, and pleasures, and really tie together the music like that.” - RM, Weverse Live, Jan. 16.*
“All seven of us are also, all Korean, too, and we thought it would be good if something symbolizing Korea could be included together, and while thinking that, we ended up bringing up the keyword “arirang.” - J-hope, Weverse Live, Jan. 16.*
One cannot separate BTS naming their first album in nearly four years ARIRANG in a move to symbolize their Korean heritage from the broader context of their career. The decision to go as far as to explicitly name one of their three album versions “Rooted in Korea,” and have their world tour stage loosely resemble a Korean flag, only underscores the weight of their intentionality.
Accused of becoming “too westernized” by both domestic and global listeners, BTS leveraging and platforming the very image and core of their motherland is a powerful declaration. And, as a Korean, it feels like this bold decision should be the subject of praise and admiration. After all, BTS is not the only Korean idol group accused of “westernization”—many believe that the industry as a whole has lost sight of what the “K” in K-pop stands for.
And yet, the announcement of ARIRANG immediately garnered mixed reactions from some Korean listeners. Though much of it is a superficial “cringe” coming from BTS referencing the (unofficial) national Korean anthem, a good chunk of it is criticism of BTS having a perceived “nationalistic” concept. Such criticism has continued even after BTS’ recent livestream.
A fundamentally resilient nation, Korea’s sense of self-pride has been corrupted by the sight and memory of the Korean conservative party, which was responsible for the traumatic 2024 failed insurrection and martial law declaration attempt, as well as infinitely more painful memories in modern Korean history. Now, for many, even the usage of the Korean flag has become something shameful, something aligned with the conservative People’s Power Party’s unsightly protests.
The negative connotations of leveraging such elements are in no doubt vivid and valid. And so are the concerns that BTS are leaving their brand vulnerable to political whims. But that being said, BTS’ album concept is not untimely.
It’s just the opposite.
The first step in progression is never abandonment. My motherland may be far from what I want it to be, but its beauty is still something real and it’s something that has been soaked in the blood of my ancestors to preserve. The first step in its progression will not be to abandon it but to reclaim it and carry it with us to a future that will definitely be brighter, even if it’s only day by day.
With this album release, BTS is making a move to reclaim their foundation and identities after a disorienting first chapter and consequent hiatus. It gives us not only a peek into their visions for their own legacy, but also the very industry that they represent and beyond. The titles of the album versions alone (“Living Legend,” “Rooted in Korea,” “Rooted in Music”), suggest BTS is deciding to take on the mantle that was once unexpectedly placed on their shoulders. They are no longer carrying the weight of Korea’s resilience and hope as a burden or wearing it as an ill-fitting outfit, but embodying the very soul of the country as their re-affirmed selves and walking towards a changing and blinding future.
*English translations provided by @btsmemeories on Twitter.
*Graphic from @gvfxarmy on Twitter.