Global superstar group BTS will officially release their fifth full-length album titled “ARIRANG” at 1 p.m. on the 20th. This marks their latest release after three years and nine months since the anthology album Proof, which was released in June 2022. This comeback also signals the beginning of a new chapter for the group, referred to as “BTS 2.0.”

The album ARIRANG embo∂ιєs BTS’s distinctive identity alongside universal emotions, completed under the executive production of Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, elevating its artistic quality to a new level.

The album consists of a total of 14 tracks, divided into two parts—offense and defense—like a sports match. The first five tracks trace BTS’s journey toward becoming global pop stars. In contrast, the latter eight tracks focus on stories of inner struggles, determination, and love as experienced by the members as ordinary individuals.

Importantly, most BTS members were deeply involved in the production of several of these 14 tracks, giving each song a different meaning for each member. Through interviews and discussions released on the 20th, the members personally selected one of their favorite tracks from the album, excluding the title track.

From the outset of the discussion “STUDIO NOTES I ‘ARIRANG’”, the members shared that it was difficult to choose a single favorite song from the album. Suga remarked, “I feel like my favorite songs keep changing,” to which Jimin agreed, “Yeah, it’s kind of like that.” RM also concurred, saying, “Of course they change. Even we change, actually,” with Jungkook adding, “Yeah, exactly.”

Nevertheless, when it came to “Like Animals,” both RM and SUGA expressed strong affection for the track. RM stated, “This is my favor,” but when V asked, “Is this your favorite song, hyung?”, he clarified more cautiously, “One of the favs.” Meanwhile, SUGA shared, “I really liked the demo ver of this song,” even revealing his particular fondness for it by saying that if it hadn’t been included in ARIRANG, he would have turned it into a solo track himself: “I told you we absolutely had to do this. If it wasn't included, I was going to bring it myself!”

While two members of the rap line showed their love for “Like Animals,” j-hope had his own pick: “Normal”—the only track labeled Explicit on the album. The song is produced by Ryan Tedder and Sean Cook, with writing credits from BTS’s rap line.

Later, in an interview with Zane Lowe that same evening, the members were asked the same question again. This time, Jin revealed his choice: “My favorite song is ‘Into The Sun’”—the final track on the album—while specifically highlighting that it was composed by V. Meanwhile, Jungkook expressed that he was most looking forward to performing “FYA,” unable to hide his excited smile.

After the members each revealed their picks, fans also began engaging in lively discussions across social media, exclaiming:

- I cried listening to like animals. I knew I could trust my boy. I always love his musical genius and relate most to his stuff like autumn leaves, let me know and all... so its not surprising that I felt emotional listening to like animals

- TaeJin are so sweet. The way Tae said oh thank you I appreciate it and one vote for Into the Sun too

- The traditional chanting of arirang at the end gave me literal goosebumps. I have decided body to body will be my fav song from the album. I wanna loop it now itself

- i really enjoy when they go like "oh this didn't make it to the album? nvm imma claim it for my solo album" every song will be released, by one member or another

- I love all the songs all my heart but Like Animals is definitely one of the top for me. It made me emotional cause I wasn't expecting it to sound how it sounded

- Into the Sun is the anthem of the album, the brother to Spring Day

- The way Jungkook said 'FYAAAA' was so cute. Oki broo, lets gooo

- The only thing that can replace Fire is FYA. FYA performance will hardcore if Jungkook is excited

- Into the Sun is the best song in Arirang and I mean it! Tae’s pen game and production are in another level!! He devoured it. He is such big perfectionist

- it’s so hard to choose the fav song from arirang cuz all of them are amazing. it just actually insane, i devoured that album like it's my fav meal

- “what is your love song?” “my love song is arirang” this may be their most genius concept yet

- My ranking on ARIRANG tracks keep on changing but my fave ones for sure are Body to Body, Normal, Hooligan, Swim, FYA