With over a decade in the music industry, BTS have continuously created, experimented, and built an extensive musical catalog filled with diverse sounds and styles, ranging from hip-hop, R&B, pop, and EDM to ballads and more. Their discography is so extensive that even after performing two randomly selected songs at each concert and completing nearly half of the ARIRANG World Tour, with around 45 shows so far, there are still plenty of songs they have yet to bring to the stage.
Considering both the quantity and quality of their music, along with the achievements of their individual songs, choosing just one track that truly represents BTS's musical identity is no easy task. However, when asked which song they would most like to recommend to people who don't know much about BTS so they could get a sense of who the group is today, the members eventually came together to make a surprising choice, despite the difficulty of the question.
Specifically, during a recent interview with вяαzιℓ's CazéTV, the interviewer asked RM: “If you could choose one song to introduce who BTS is, it can be from this new era, which song would you choose? Which one could it be?” It was a tough question, so the members started throwing out suggestions such as “MIC Drop,” “FYA,” and “Cypher,” but the group leader didn't seem entirely convinced by any of them.
It was only when Jungkook brought up “Body to Body” that RM immediately agreed, saying: “Yeah, let’s go with Body to Body from the new album. I'd choose ‘Body to Body.’ It includes a bit of traditional кσяєαn music, and it's also really upbeat. If you want to get to know BTS, I'd recommend ‘Body to Body.’”
The interviewer also expressed his love for the song, bringing up the discussions the members had about its arrangement during the making of the Netflix documentary BTS: THE RETURN.
In fact, when the demo of “Body to Body” was played in the recording studio in Los Angeles, some members, including RM himself, were initially not entirely convinced by the arrangement. He essentially described it as “rap, music, and vocals sounding like three different songs mixed together,” comparing it to making bibimbap and then adding bread, fried meat, and kimchi to it.
However, after being revised and released, “Body to Body” became one of the standout tracks on ARIRANG. It received an enthusiastic response from fans worldwide, earned praise from critics, and went on to become one of the most memorable songs performed during the group's world tour.
AllMusic's Neil Z. Yeung praised the closing “Arirang” refrain, saying it lets listeners know they're in for “an exciting ride,” while The кσяєα Times and IZM also highlighted the song's creative use of the iconic “Arirang” motif. It achieved impressive commercial success as well, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200, No. 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 28 on the UK Official Singles Chart, and No. 4 on South кσяєα's Circle Chart. It also briefly topped Melon's real-time chart, even surpαѕѕing the title track during the first few hours after release, and earned Gold certification in ¢αиα∂α.
Most notably, during the ARIRANG World Tour, the “Arirang” sample became one of the most unforgettable moments of the show. Tens of thousands of fans across different countries, including נαραи, where 110,000 people attended the Tokyo Dome concerts, as well as Argentina, London, and вяαzιℓ, sang along together in кσяєαn. International media have repeatedly described these moments as powerful, moving, and a meaningful cultural connection.
Following the release of the interview, fans expressed their agreement with RM and BTS's choice, saying that “Body to Body” is the perfect song to represent the group in this new musical era:
- My favorite part of that song is where Namjoon turns and looks at Yoongi and they both had that “….idk man” look on their faces
- Cue thousands of ARMYs singing 'body on body' from now on because that's what our king wanted to say
- During their performance of 'Body to Body', BTS had the J-ARMYs sing the 'Arirang' sample at the absolute top of their lungs. Having a mαѕѕive stadium in נαραи pαѕѕionately sing a historic кσяєαn folk song about unity and resilience is such a powerful, beautiful moment. The boys really know how to bring the world together!
- Remember BTS “Body to Body” becomes the ONLY b-side and non-English track of 2026 to reach 400 MILLION streams on Spotify!
- Body to Body is such a perfect representation of BTS. It captures their roots, creativity, and the unique sound that makes them who they are
- Jungkook suggesting Body to Body and RM immediately agreeing. They both know exactly what represents BTS in this era
- The way they turned a song they initially had doubts about into one of the biggest highlights of the album. That's BTS for you!
- Body to Body brings кσяєαn traditional music and modern hip-hop together so beautifully. The crowd goes wild every time Arirang starts playing
- 110,000 people singing Arirang together in Tokyo. That alone proves how powerful this song is. BTS made кσяєαn culture resonate with the whole world
