There are albums that entertain, and then there are albums that truly move you. BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ album does both!
You can always tell when BTS makes a comeback. Their return shows up everywhere—from dominating global music charts to becoming the number-one topic across social media. The impact the boy band has on both K-pop and the global music industry is truly unmatched. After four years, it is clear they have returned in triumphant style, ready to leave a lasting impact all over again.
While fans praised the much-anticipated comeback, a wave of critical pushback also began to gain momentum, with some dismissing the release as ‘passionless’ and ‘pointless.’ You would expect at least some attention to the album ‘ARIRANG’s concept or meaning—the kind of basic effort fans manage quite effortlessly—but perhaps that proved too arduous a task.
Then again, a large number of these critiques seem to come from people who only started paying attention once the band reached global fame. Fortunately, for many critics, assessing the comeback of a music titan was not reduced to complaints about a lack of Korean signifiers, as though language were the only significant measure of artistic value.
While the album’s numbers, awards, and achievements already speak for themselves, fans have formed strong connections with several tracks. Although everyone has different favorites, today we will be breaking down each track on the album one by one.
‘Body to Body’
This is easily one of the fans’ favorite tracks. While the sample of the Korean folk song ‘ARIRANG’ gives the track a powerfully rich cultural touch, it is the song’s overall energy and vibe that felt instantly familiar to many listeners. Given how closely the fandom has been tied to the group’s growth, the phrase ‘Body to Body’ carries a deeper meaning. It serves as a raw reference to staying close and connected to the people who helped build their journey.
‘Hooligan’
‘Hooligan’ is a high-energy song that gets your blood pumping and makes you want to move. At first, many dismissed it as ‘loud’ music, but for those aware of the band’s early experiences of rejection and being disregarded, the song’s meaning becomes much clearer. The word ‘hooligan’ is used cleverly to highlight their rebellious determination to resist limits, defy traditional boundaries, and follow their own musical path
‘Aliens’
‘Aliens’ is one of the songs that helps explain why the album was named after a Korean folk song. It includes Korean elements such as the mention of Hangul (the Korean alphabet) and the traditional Jungmori rhythm. That said, I would not consider those cultural references to be the song’s main highlight. Similar to ‘Mic Drop’, which was a direct message to detractors, some lyrics in this track, such as “green with jealousy” and “won’t waste my breath to explain,” feel like defiant responses to the jealousy and unmistakable hate directed at the boy group.
‘FYA’
Initially, many debated whether ‘FYA’ stood for ‘For Your Attention’ or ‘Fire.’ Either way, this song leaves no room for hesitation. With its high-octane sound that carries an intense rush of confidence and explosive energy, the track somehow reminds me of ‘Fire,’ released in 2016.
A word of caution, though, for those addicted to the song: keep it off your driving playlist, or you might find yourself going from 40 to 120 in a heartbeat.
‘2.0’
There is a strong emotional connection to this song for both BTS and the group’s fandom, especially considering how each member has spoken about what the song represents to them. As Suga himself put it, “it’s a new beginning.” The first part of the song captures the group coming back together for a new era.
The second part centers on their future and the promise of moving forward. Although the notion of the group’s powerful return carries significant emotional weight in the song, the track also highlights their willingness to embrace change and do something “brand new.”
‘No.29’
As explained in my review of the album, this track serves as an homage to Korean heritage, specifically the ‘Divine Bell of King Seongdeok.’ Today, the track has already inspired thousands of memes and reels across social media. More than anything, this part of the album is a reminder of the group’s impact: even without a single lyric, the track still managed to trend on multiple music platforms.
‘SWIM’
It makes perfect sense why the title track comes right after ‘No.29‘. The silence that follows the bell sound, before ‘SWIM’ begins, feels incredibly serene in a way that is almost impossible to put into words.
Although the song faced some criticism for being too ‘whitewashed’ or lacking Korean essence, I feel its emotional context is something only fans would understand. BTS is a group that has always layered their music with storytelling that carries depth. Put simply, this track reflects the group’s message of standing by fans through storms and struggles, the same way their fandom did for them. The heart of the song is about resilience, persistence, and perseverance.
‘Merry Go Round’
There is something deeply honest about this song. It speaks about a repetitive and exhausting cycle of life, even in the midst of fame. Perhaps the most emotionally striking moment comes in the Korean verse, where the English translation expresses how “everyone puts on smiles, pretending to be fine.”
‘NORMAL’
In such a short time, it’s unbelievable how many people already know the chorus by heart. Yet only a few truly understand how painful the song is. This is not a love track; instead, it talks about the cost of fame and the hate and hurt that continue even at the height of success.
And when the members sing lines like “Now I understand the truth, some pain don’t heal” or “heard the things they callin’ me,” how could that not leave your heart aching?
‘Like Animals’
Listeners must have understood that ‘Like Animals’ is about breaking free from the world’s obsession with societal expectations and allowing yourself to fully embrace your raw, primal emotions. The reference to being like animals reinforces the notion of living like creatures who do not follow rules made by others or allow themselves to be confined by them.
‘they don’t know’bout us’
This song can easily come across as a subtle diss track. Being a group as big as BTS inevitably brings constant rumors, criticism, and hate. The lyrics of this song definitely seem to push back against that, highlighting how people continue to speak about them without really knowing who they are and their roots.
‘One More Night’
Out of all the songs on the album, this one feels the closest to carrying the charm of a typical ’90s romantic song. With its melodic pop vibe, the track centers on a dream-like fantasy and a yearning desire for affection. Honestly, the line “give me one more night” makes the meaning obvious enough.
‘Please’
Loyalty and devotion are two words that resonate strongly throughout this track. It almost sounds like a plea from the boys for their fans to remain by their side through the worst days, so that every challenge can be overcome together. For those who claim that the bond between BTS and their fandom goes beyond the usual artist-fan connection, this song makes that hard to deny.
‘Into the Sun’
Ending the ‘ARIRANG’ album with this laid-back yet soulful song feels like a perfect choice. It speaks about moving out of darkness and chasing the light, choosing hope and moving forward. For those unaware, the lyrics and melodies of this song were written by V himself. I remember fans once pointed out that he had a Hillsong track on his playlist, and unintentionally, the final stretch of the song carries a similar kind of spiritual release.
As the album soon enters its second week since release, the momentum shows absolutely no sign of slowing down. Fans are still listening to the album’s tracks with the same excitement and energy they had when they first came out. At this point, it seems that once again, this album will go down in history.
Written by Diksha Gangadeen
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