BTS evolves from idol group to artists with "Arirang," reflecting intense growing pains

▲ BTS performs at its comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, March 30 (Yonhap) -- K-pop supergroup BTS, which has topped the U.S. Billboard 200 chart for the seventh time with its fifth full-length album "Arirang," has chosen to step away from the formula of commercially proven idol music and instead pursue a path to establish itself as artists.

Rather than repeating the bright and hopeful tones of its past global hits, BTS declared a new chapter dubbed "BTS 2.0," adopting darker music, album imagery and fashion.

Instead of delivering a clear and unified message as in previous albums, the group presents music that reflects its narrative and direction, making "BTS as it is now" the central theme of the album.

▲ K-pop group BTS performs during a free comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

◇ Overcoming hardship with "Arirang," breaking away from K-pop stereotypes in "BTS 2.0"

Upon its release, the album drew attention for its Korean elements, including its title "Arirang" and the comeback performance held at Gwanghwamun Square.

However, beneath such elements lies the intense growing pains of the seven members embedded throughout the album.

From the main jacket image featuring the members in expressionless faces and formal suits, the album distances itself from a typically cheerful "idol-like" atmosphere.

From the opening track "Body to Body" to the closing track "Into the Sun," including the title track "Swim," the album does not carry the upbeat mood of past hits like "Dynamite," "Butter" and "Permission to Dance."

Music critic Kim Do-heon said, "The entire album seems submerged in heavy darkness, as if crossing a hill of hardship," adding that "instead of melodic strength or overwhelming emotion, rough and dense sounds dominate throughout the album."

Some interpret the musical direction as an attempt by BTS to shed its idol image and be recognized as serious artists or musicians in the global music market.

In the Netflix documentary "BTS: THE RETURN," the members expressed concerns over their musical direction, saying, "We cannot keep doing the same thing," and "Now is the only time to make a change."

Music critic Lim Jin-mo said the album shows "an effort to break away from the stereotype of lightness often associated with K-pop overseas."

The group returned to hip-hop, which forms the root of its musical identity, while incorporating traditional elements and the hardships of overseas activities into its lyrics, also revealing a sense of diaspora.

BTS said during a comeback interview on March 20, "Showing ourselves as we are ultimately means starting from our roots," adding, "We exist today because those roots have remained strong together."

▲ BTS performs at its comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

◇ Clear resonance of bell sound divides album in two

One of the album’s most distinctive features is that it is clearly divided into two parts around the sixth track "No.29," which incorporates the sound of the Great Bell of King Seongdeok.

The 1-minute and 38-second track captures the deep and mysterious resonance of the bell, including the phenomenon of sound waves creating a lingering echo, allowing listeners to pause and catch their breath before entering the second half beginning with "Swim."

The album, which initially centers on intense hip-hop and rap, shifts after the bell sound toward pop-oriented tracks with more prominent vocals.

This structure also reflects BTS’ unique composition of three rappers and four vocalists.

Music critic Lim Hee-yun said that hip-hop tracks such as "Body to Body" and "Aliens," which criticizes racist perspectives toward the group, are placed in the first half, while more emotional songs follow after "No.29."

He added that the bell sound not only shifts the mood but also creates an effect similar to a moment of meditation for listeners.

Experts noted that both the music and lyrics undergo a narrative shift before and after "No.29."

The first half revisits the group’s overseas expansion and declares a second chapter, focusing on its past and present, while the latter half portrays the future through themes of perseverance and togetherness.

While the first half emphasizes the group’s narrative, the latter highlights individual emotions.

Kim Jung-seop, a professor at Sungshin Women’s University, said the album presents a connected narrative of collective story (first half), fracture (interlude "No.29") and individual narratives (second half).

He added that while the first half contains BTS’ growth, trajectory, status as global stars and concerns, the latter restores personal emotions such as love, anxiety and determination.

▲ K-pop superband BTS performs at its comeback showcase held in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

◇ "BTS as it is now" becomes album’s theme, though some note lack of mass appeal

Unlike previous releases, the message BTS aims to convey through "Arirang" is not easily condensed into a single sentence.

Since its debut, the group has represented youth through series such as the "School" trilogy, "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life," and the "LOVE YOURSELF" series, expanding toward universal themes like self-love.

In particular, the message of "loving oneself" resonated with its global fan base, ARMY, serving as a strong bond between the group and its fans.

However, the new album centers on the questions about BTS' identity in the present.

This aligns with the members’ remark that "what we must preserve is the unchanging fact that we are country boys from Korea."

Kim Do-heon pointed out that "there is no overarching narrative that runs through the album," unlike past works such as "WINGS" or "MAP OF THE SOUL : PERSONA," which were tied together by cohesive themes.

He added that the album’s paradoxical theme lies in the accumulated fatigue beneath its glamorous return, the listing of Korean symbols, and the pain of fulfilling its role in Korean society.

While the album’s sound, featuring participation from renowned global producers such as Diplo, Ryan Tedder and El Guincho, is well-crafted, some critics say it lacks the mass appeal of hits like "DNA," "Fire" and "IDOL."

Lim Jin-mo said, "Swim is the most fitting title track, and songs like 'Normal' and 'Merry Go Round' effectively realize pop sounds," but added, "While it is a meaningful self-reflective work, it falls short in generational messaging and popular appeal compared to previous releases."

▲ K-pop superband BTS performs at its comeback showcase held in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

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