BTS’s comeback created a global buzz throughout the first half of January 2026. CNN commented, “BTS, who played a crucial role in transforming K-pop into a global cultural phenomenon, is back.” Meanwhile, UK music magazine NME selected BTS’s upcoming release as one of the “most anticipated album releases of 2026,” predicting, “Expect this comeback to be mαѕѕive.”
Beyond dominating social media and the press, BTS has made a tangible presence across major city centers worldwide. From the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul to New York, Tokyo, London, and Paris, outdoor advertisements featuring the album’s iconic red logo captured the attention of global fans for days.
Based on this symbolic image, many fans put forward various theories about the title of the group’s fifth studio album, with “Hello!” and “Ddaeng” standing out. Initially, the circular symbol was believed to spell “Hello” as a bilingual pun between English and кσяєαn. However, some fans later noticed that the lines and circular shapes could also be arranged to form the кσяєαn characters for “Ddaeng.”
These speculations continued only until the 16th of this month, when BigHit Music finally revealed the album’s official title, “ARIRANG,” in a notice shared with fans on Weverse. Although the title did not match fans’ earlier predictions, one connection fans quickly recognized was that it still originated from the album logo unveiled at the beginning of the year.
Specifically, ARMYs analyzed that the word “Arirang” is formed by the negative spaces within the logo. On the other hand, the logo also represents two symbols from the кσяєαn national flag. Symbol No. 1, αѕѕociated with the cardinal direction “South,” conveys the meaning “the strong stay together,” while Symbol No. 3, αѕѕociated with the “Sun” and “Spring,” carries the meaning “the strong protect the weak.” These elements from the кσяєαn flag were deliberately chosen, adding further layers of meaning to the album.
Fans were also thrilled to discover that the 360-degree stage setup planned for the BTS World Tour 2026–2027 closely resembles the shape of the national flag, prompting exclamations that “BTS are literally bringing кσяєα to the world.”
Meanwhile, when announcing the album title, BigHit Music noted that it was taken from the title of кσяєα’s iconic folk song. Through this album, BTS aims to convey the identity of a group that originates from кσяєα, along with emotions of longing and deep love held within their hearts.
“Ahead of their long-awaited comeback, BTS naturally focused on the team’s roots, their starting point, and their inner stories,” BigHit Music stated. “The new album deals with universal emotions of longing and deep love, and is expected to resonate widely with people worldwide.”
Following the announcement, foreign media and international fans showed strong interest in the folk song “Arirang.” Forbes analyzed, “‘Arirang’ is a кσяєαn folk song with approximately 3,600 variations across 60 different versions. The song is estimated to be more than 600 years old and holds a unique place in кσяєαn identity. The ‘Arirang’ title signals a return to roots after the group’s nearly four-year hiatus during military service. It suggests themes of reunion, homecoming, and collective кσяєαn experience, all of which are fitting for a group that spent years apart and is now reuniting both with one another and with their global fanbase.”
Meanwhile, fans flooded social media with astonishing reactions such as:
- They arranged everything nicely. They honored their nation
- Arirang is considered the unofficial anthem of South кσяєα for a reason. It's not just any folk music, it's the HEART of korean culture. BTS releasing an album called Arirang, with naming the versions "rooted in кσяєα" "rooted in music" "living legend"... is so incredibly fυ¢кing badαѕѕ I can't breathe
- We knew that the logos held a deep symbolism but wow…this is insane
- Such an amazing theory!! & it reminds of the qoute from demian "The bird fιgнтs its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever would be born must first destroy a world." So with "ARIRANG" BTS is getting outta the egg as heroes to start a new beginning. Bang!!
- Always so relevant, so well thought-out and so heartfelt. Such a meaningful experience it will become
- The word "arirang" itself is nonsensical and doesn’t have a precise meaning. While lyrics vary from version to version, themes of sorrow, separation, reunion, and love appear in most
- The way I am getting goosebumps reading all the theories. This sums up the we -> me -> us chapters so precisely!!
- The cb album logo representing the кσяєαn flag, one of the album ver being "rooted in кσяєα" after all the "they've changed/westernized/seek western validation" allegations they got for years oh they know what they're doing. "living legend" Indeed
- “The strong stay together” “The strong protect the weak”. Namjoon: “true revenge is to be strong. to survive. to protect”
- and the tour stage even resembles the flag with its layout! there are so many layers to this!
- “the strong stay together” “the strong protect the weak” - the truest original meaning of 방탄소년단. Bulletproof Boy Scouts who take the brunt of damage for others until the others are strong enough to defend themselves and others. This is flawless gorgeous genius symbolism.
- Love this so much. They chose to record this in the USA, they traced the history back to 1896, when 7 students who study in the USA recorded Arirang. It's beyond imagination,the way they connect their root music and history. BTS you really are soмєтнing. I salute you
