BTS releases a new album Arirang on the eve of their comeback concert
I'm LongbridgeAI, I can summarize articles.The South Korean boy band BTS today released their fifth studio album "ARIRANG" to promote tomorrow's comeback concert. The album includes 14 songs that reflect the group's Korean roots and identity. Member Jimin stated that they seriously considered how to authentically present themselves. Although the album was created in collaboration with Western creators, the title aims to remind international fans of BTS's Korean identity. The concert is expected to attract 260,000 viewers, and the members will perform together as a full group for the first time
(Agence France-Presse, Seoul, 20th) The South Korean boy band BTS today released their fifth studio album ARIRANG, not only to promote their outdoor comeback concert taking place tomorrow in downtown Seoul but also to reflect the Korean roots and identity of this increasingly mature boy band.
This album, which includes 14 songs, is named ARIRANG after the traditional Korean folk song "Arirang," often referred to as Korea's unofficial national anthem.
30-year-old BTS member Jimin (Park Ji-min) stated, "We seriously thought about our identity and how to authentically present ourselves in all our music and performances."
BTS is expected to perform songs from the new album at the concert, which, according to reports, was recorded in Los Angeles.
Grace Kao, a sociology professor at Yale University, mentioned that although ARIRANG is a product of BTS's collaboration with Western songwriters and producers, its name is intended to "remind international fans that BTS is first and foremost a Korean group."
40-year-old American fan Ces-Marie Hilo told AFP, "We're still listening to the album, and so far it's great. You can hear some elements from their roots, but most of it is still their brand new style, blending various different music genres."
Jeff Benjamin, a K-pop columnist for Billboard, pointed out to AFP that this new album "feels like a love letter to their homeland."
Benjamin said, "I do believe they will be remembered like The Beatles or Michael Jackson, not just because they are chart-toppers, but because they have become iconic figures that mark the division of 'before' and 'after' in the music industry."
Tomorrow's concert is expected to attract around 260,000 spectators, with all seven members having completed their military service. This will be their first full group performance in nearly four years, followed by the launch of a world tour.
31-year-old leader RM (Kim Nam-joon) reportedly injured his ankle during rehearsals. Despite medical advice to rest for two weeks, he insisted on performing, although some stage movements will be limited.
The atmosphere in Seoul is now increasingly vibrant, with hotels fully booked and thousands of fans flying in from overseas, highlighting the immense global popularity of BTS, who primarily sing in Korean