BTS first debuted during the summer of 2013. Since then, they have rapidly become one of the biggest K-pop groups, growing an extremely large and dedicated fanbase, known as ARMY.

Their Korean lyrics mixed with English bring together a range of fans from all over the world. After going on hiatus in 2022 to complete their military service, all seven members of BTS are back with their latest release “ARIRANG.”

The title “ARIRANG” likely stems from its history as a widely-known Korean folk song. Although the origins of the word remain uncertain, it is associated with groups of Korean identity.  

Opening the album with song “Body to Body,” BTS sings “I need the whole stadium to jump / Put your phone down, let’s get all the fun / You at the side, at the back, at the front.” These lyrics alone predict an upbeat and hype energy from the crowd during their upcoming tour. 

This album experiments with different types of music and themes for each song. The track “SWIM” sets a romantic tone with the lyrics and instrumentals as they sing, “Water falling off your skin / Swim, swim / I could spend a lifetime watching you.” This song plays with romantic themes, going on to say, “Oh, you ain’t even gotta love me bad, girl / You know that I’m never holdin’ back, girl.”

Another song that follows this catchy and repetitive lyrical theme is “Like Animals,” talking about giving everything to someone. The chorus goes, “If you wanna be animals / Baby, we can be animals / Eat this life ’til your heart is full / If you want, you can have it all.”

This romance theme isn’t the only thing that could be found in the album. Songs “NORMAL” and “Merry Go Round” have a central point focused on mental health and trying to escape the pain life can bring, giving the album a more slow and sad feeling that contrasts with some of the other tracks on ARIRANG.

Similarly, the song “NORMAL” discusses the struggles that are endured and pushed aside as something that should be regular. They sing, “Kerosene, dopamine, chemical-induced / Fantasy and fame, yeah, the things we choose / Show me hate, show me love, make me bulletproof / Yeah, we call this shit normal.” The song continues on, “Used to think that I was built with a heart made of steel / Now I understand the truth, some pain don’t heal / If everything’s just happy, mm, that ain’t real.”

The vulnerability BTS expresses on the new album has been admired by listeners and humanizes them beyond just being idols their fans adore.

While the album is filled with a lot of creativity, there is some backlash surrounding some of the tracks. Plenty of people on the internet have found a disliking to songs “Hooligan” and “Into the Sun.” The autotuned sounds at the beginning of these two songs have proved to be slow-burn tracks, while others have completely labeled them as bad songs.

The vibe of the songs sound similar to “GNARLY” and “Internet Girl” by KATSEYE, another group under Hybe Corporation. These songs also initially received negative reactions before people appreciated their fun and lighthearted nature, so there could be a chance for a shift in the audience’s reactions to BTS’s new tracks. 

Overall, there is a wide range of songs on the album that allow for a diverse group of opinions. Either way, there is no doubt stadiums will be full, as plenty of tour dates have already sold out across the country.

Reach Janaya Stafford at entertainment@collegian.com or on social media @RMCollegian.