Why BTS Named Their New Album ‘Arirang’: The That means, Defined

BTS is officially back — and the name of their long-awaited new album already has ARMY feeling emotional.

On Friday, the K-pop supergroup announced that their upcoming album will be titled Arirang, a word that carries deep cultural and emotional significance in Korea. For fans, the choice feels incredibly intentional and personal for the members — especially as they reunite following their mandatory military service.

So what exactly does Arirang mean, and why does it matter so much?

What Is Arirang?

Arirang is the name of Korea’s most famous folk song, and is often described as an unofficial national anthem. Believed to be centuries old, the song has been passed down through generations and exists in more than 60 regional versions with nearly 4,000 lyrical variations.

There is no single, agreed-upon definition of the word Arirang. Some have suggested that “ari” comes from an old Korean term meaning “aching” or “beautiful,” while “rang” is often interpreted as “beloved.” Many versions of the song reference crossing the “Arirang ridge,” which has come to symbolize moving through hardship and towards hope.

Why Is the Song So Important to Koreans?

During Japan’s colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945, “Arirang” became a powerful symbol of resistance. The weight of the meaning intensified after the release of the 1926 silent film Arirang, which depicted the trauma of colonial oppression. The song was later banned by authorities at the time.

What’s especially meaningful, “Arirang” is one of the rare cultural elements shared by both North and South Korea. Both countries have registered it with UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and when athletes from the two Koreas marched together at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, Arirang was played instead of either national anthem.

Why BTS Chose Arirang

In a time when K-pop acts lean heavily into global music trends and aesthetics, using a word so deeply entangled within their heritage feels very meaningful — especially as they return from serving their country. Naming their comeback album Arirang feels less like a reinvention and more like a homecoming.

BigHit Music has said the album captures “the longing and deep love” at the heart of BTS’s story, with Arirang serving as a symbolic expression of those emotions — fitting for a group reuniting after years apart.

“I greeted you all as a soloist in 2023 and 2024,” Jin wrote in a letter published by Variety, “but I can finally greet you as part of a team again.”