Global K-pop sensation BTS has announced the title of their highly anticipated new album, choosing a name loaded with deep cultural resonance for the Korean people. The group's first full-length release in nearly four years will be called 'Arirang', after the peninsula's most iconic and sentimental folk song.
What is the 'Arirang' folk song?
Arirang is often considered Korea's unofficial national anthem, a folk melody whose origins are believed to stretch back centuries. The song's name itself is subject to folk etymology, with some scholars suggesting it combines words for "beautiful" or "aching" and "beloved".
Its core imagery revolves around crossing the Arirang ridge, symbolising a journey from hardship and despair towards hope and better times. There is no single definitive version; the song exists in over 60 variations with more than 3,600 recorded lyrical adaptations. Its simple, flexible melody has made it a vessel for generations of Koreans to express joy, sorrow, longing, and resilience.
Why 'Arirang' holds profound significance
The song's importance extends far beyond its melody. During Japan's colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945, Arirang evolved into a potent symbol of resistance and national identity. Its association with a banned 1926 silent film about Japanese oppression cemented its status as an anthem of defiance.
In a powerful testament to its unifying cultural power, Arirang is one of the few elements that transcends the political division of the Korean peninsula. Both North and South Korea have registered it with UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. It famously played when athletes from the two Koreas marched together at the 2000 Sydney and 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games, serving in place of either national anthem.
BTS's powerful statement of identity
In an industry where many groups adopt international aesthetics, BTS's choice to name their comeback album 'Arirang' is a bold affirmation of their Korean roots. Their label, BigHit Music, stated the album captures "the longing and deep love" central to the group's story, with the folk song serving as a symbolic expression of those emotions.
The group has a history of embracing Korean heritage, from wearing traditional hanbok to addressing social issues in their lyrics. They have even performed Arirang medleys on stage before. This album, set for release on 20 March ahead of a world tour, is framed not as a reinvention but as a return to their foundational culture.
For the global BTS Army, 'Arirang' offers a unique gateway into the folk traditions that helped shape the world's biggest pop group. It promises to be more than just a music release; it is a cultural moment connecting millions of fans worldwide to the deep, emotional heart of Korea.
