BTS Arirang Receives Continued Praise from Foreign Media

When BTS released their full-length album 'ARIRANG' for the first time in three years and nine months, major international media outlets quickly published reviews. Outlets such as the UK's The Guardian, the US's Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Rolling Stone, and the Middle Eastern publication Gulf News welcomed their comeback after four years, stating, "They have finally returned." The Guardian commented that the first half of the album captures the energy of their 2014 album 'Dark & Wild,' and that BTS has "revived the fire" they lost during their 'Dynamite' and 'Butter' eras. Regarding the title track 'SWIM,' they described it as "subtle, restrained music that seeps into your ears and sticks in your mind."

Gulf News summarized the entire album as "a thrilling experience" where "seven voices merged into one, returning to the hunger of their debut days," and described it as "forged with the maturity of 2026, with a darker, rougher, and more addictive texture." The Guardian stated that BTS "revived the fire," while Billboard praised their "more mature and artistically refined side than ever before."

The Guardian focused on the album's Korean identity, noting that the album title 'Arirang' is derived from a folk song with a 600-year history. They analyzed that through promotional videos of BTS members listening to the first 'Arirang' record, the group positioned themselves within a tradition of exporting Korean culture across 130 years of history. The Hollywood Reporter also introduced the album title as originating from an 1896 Korean folk song, writing, "BTS has always been a Korean band, and they make it clear they will continue to be."

Regarding the opening track 'Body to Body,' The Hollywood Reporter commented, "It confirms in just a few seconds that BTS has dipped its toes into more experimental waters, with a Pansori-style Arirang melody seeping over a hip-hop beat." The Guardian reported, "A declaration of 'I need the whole stadium to jump' follows a powerful bass drop."

'Hooligan' is the most talked-about track on this album, which The Hollywood Reporter singled out as "an addictive rap track mixing string arrangements with the sharp sound of blades." Gulf News described it as "an explosive track with chaotic laughter," mentioning RM's rough vocals and Suga's fierce rapping. The Guardian introduced producer El Guincho and commented that on this song, BTS "returns to their roots and declares global dominance."