BTS reunited with ARMYs on January 16 through a Weverse Live session, greeting fans as they finally opened up about their upcoming album ARIRANG. The group — comprised RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook — answered fan questions, addressed theories, and shared behind-the-scenes details about what they described as one of their most meaningful projects to date.
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Writing the Music
Although ARIRANG will feature 14 tracks, the group revealed that the album came from an extensive creative process. Jimin shared that they collectively worked on more than 100 songs before narrowing the list down.
“We actually participated in making around 10 songs each, and then finalized 14 out of them,” he said.
The members explained that the album carries a heavy emotional weight, shaped by the time that has passed since their last group release. Jung Kook described the record as something that feels deeply personal, adding that he listens to it daily. V echoed the sentiment, noting that the songs take on an entirely different energy when performed. Suga hinted that some previously unreleased solo material may find its way into the album.
The Logo
Beyond the music, ARIRANG also reflects the members’ direct involvement in the album’s visuals. While the group was attending a song camp in Los Angeles, Jung Kook began sketching ideas that eventually influenced the album’s final design.
“I did like four sketches,” Jung Kook recalled. “I sent them, and the company developed it a lot.”
The album’s logo visually represents as ใ ในใน, the initial consonants of ARIRANG (์๋ฆฌ๋), reinforcing its cultural foundation and symbolic meaning.
The Meaning of ARIRANG for BTS
RM shared that the album title came after long reflection, particularly during his time in the military. When the members finally reunited, they found themselves looking back on their beginnings and the long road that brought them to where they are now. Because they are seven artists from South Korea, they wanted a title that reflected their roots.
“The keyword ‘ARIRANG’ came up,” RM said. “Honestly, the meaning is different for each person, because there are many ways you can interpret Arirang’s lyrics. I think it’s about sadness, longing, and love.”
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j-hope added that the title reflects both their past and their longing to perform together again. “[ARIRANG] feels like our roots. From that way, ARIRANG was what tied it all together really well,” he said.
RM further explained that the album captures the joys and sorrows they experienced while apart – from missing everyday life to missing ARMY and one another.
“Since ARIRANG contains the joy and sorrow of life, that kind of sentiment will be tied to the music,” he said. “It ties it all up together well.”
Immersive Stage and Performances
The members also teased up a new concert experience, including a 360-degree stage setup that they previously explored during fan meetings.
“This time will be special because of the 360-degree stage,” j-hope said. “There’s something about that that makes it feel really immersive.”
Jimin shared a personal moment, revealing that his parents had already listened to the album. According to him, they told him that the members have grown into adults and reassured him, saying, “You are enough.”
He added that the album shows a new side of BTS, while still feeling like a true return.
World Tour Plans
RM confirmed that more details, including the full track list, will be revealed in the next two to three months, encouraging fans to look forward to what’s coming. Since it has been a long time since BTS last promoted as a group, RM said they prepared extensively with many collaborators.
The group also spoke about their upcoming world tour, which is set to cover more than 34 cities and include over 79 shows, with plans extending until 2027.
“Even though we can’t go to everyone, we wanted to meet ARMY in as many places as possible,” RM said. “So we will be doing this tour for a long time.”
Jin shared that the original tour plan was shorter, but the group decided to extend it to make the experience more enjoyable and meaningful, even if it becomes physically demanding.
“If we kept the breaks short, we wouldn’t have been able to properly perform in the cities we visited,” RM further explained.
Release and Philippine Concert Dates
BTS’s album ARIRANG is set for release on March 20 across all streaming platforms, with physical copies available at select retailers.
The group also confirmed that they will return to the Philippines as part of their world tour, performing on March 13 and 14, 2027.
BTS last held concerts in the country in May 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena for The Wings Tour, following the BTS Live On Stage: Epilogue in Manila in July 2016.