The return of BTS with the album ARIRANG is not merely a typical comeback; it is being likened by experts to a “Revolution 2.0” in the group’s illustrious career. ARIRANG stands as a powerful manifesto of reinvention, where BTS pour their entire pαѕѕion into pushing beyond previously uncharted limits, delivering a richly multifaceted musical experience.

Notably, rather than focusing solely on the title track, BTS have continuously released music videos for their B-sides this time, creating a vast and cohesive visual universe. At midnight on the 8th, the music video for “Hooligan” officially premiered on HYBE Labels’ YouTube channel. The video captivated viewers with its explosive energy and a scale distinct from the earlier “SWIM” and “2.0” music videos.

Throughout the “Hooligan” MV, viewers are drawn into a suffocating atmosphere filled with highly symbolic imagery. In particular, the scene that left the global ARMY community most haunted is the moment at the 2:50 mark, where RM stands beside a microphone stand. His microphone features a “five-clαωєd dragon” design, connected to dozens—if not hundreds—of tangled wнιтe cables that sprawl beneath his feet like enormous tentacles.

This strikingly metaphor-laden image immediately dominates the au∂ιєnce’s visual perception. The microphone represents the artist, while the five-clαωєd dragon—historically a symbol of supreme power, strength, and imperial authority—signifies BTS’s status as top-tier K-pop superstars. Meanwhile, the wнιтe cables resemble invisible chains, embodying public expectations, the weight of fame, and the suffocating pressures that pursue BTS day after day.

Nevertheless, RM’s confident and almost indifferent demeanor as he stands before this “chained” microphone, combined with his razor-sharp rap lines—“Yeah, we the mess, gonna get a bigger mop here (Bigger mop). This that K, gotta get a better pop here (Better pop). You gon’ hear this one playin’ ’round the clock, yeah”—completely overshadows everything. Instead of avoiding it, he confronts it head-on with determination: if the mess is too great, he will use a bigger “mop” to clean it up and restore order.

Meanwhile, the letter “K” clearly refers to K-pop, with RM αѕѕerting his roots. However, he is not satisfied with the current state. This line serves as a challenge to the conventional standards of contemporary pop music. He aims to elevate it—transforming it into “better pop”: music that is not merely entertaining but also possesses depth and artistic weight, as demonstrated in ARIRANG.

The microphone in “Hooligan” embo∂ιєs both the price of freedom and the crown of a leader. RM—and BTS as a whole—accept that price without submission. On the contrary, he is the one controlling the chaos, elevating K-pop culture, and ensuring the delivery of music that is authentic, enduring, and destined to echo repeatedly in the listener’s mind.

Since the release of the “Hooligan” MV, this iconic artistic moment has sparked ongoing discussions among fans, with many thoughts such as:

- "This album isn't BTS" they fvcking summoned the rapmon in him bffr real rn

- Rapmons has evolved into the God of the Titans! He is a d*mn living legend!

- Namjoon is so FIERCE lately.  Loving every second of it. He's really intimidating. I'm scared, in a good way

- Obsessed with Namjoon's mic stand, how the hands look like someone ∂ιєd trying to strangle him leaving only their bones behind, how the cables and cords look like roots that have been solidifying for centuries and how a few are cut off like people are still trying to silence him

- And the fact that in this moment he's saying some of the most incendiary lyrics in the entire album while staring directly into the camera they really are not holding back anymore and thank god for that

- They resurrected him, told him what happened while he was gone, gave him a mic, he served c-nt, and then ate it

- I like how they showed the rough pavement with thier roots running deep from RM’s mic to smooth surface to walk on. If I’m not wrong then this is true representation of BTS paved the way…

- They summoned Rap Monster of DO YOU.!!! People nagging about this is not the old BTS either don’t know anything about them or needs to do homework… cz I screamed looking at Joon cz I am sorry but that’s Rap Monster

- I was like oh my God it’s rap monster!! y’all it’s rap monster!! they reached deep down in Joon pulled out rap monster out an said state the facts baby

- RM isn’t trapped by those ‘chains’—he owns them. It’s like he’s saying the burden of fame doesn’t control him, he controls it. That’s such a powerful statement about BTS’s position in K-pop