Global K-pop phenomenon BTS has announced the title of their highly anticipated new album, selecting a name steeped in centuries of Korean history and emotion. The group's first full-length release in nearly four years will be called 'Arirang', after the peninsula's most iconic and beloved folk song.
The Significance of the Name 'Arirang'
The choice is far from arbitrary. Arirang is considered an unofficial, sentimental national anthem for Koreans, with origins believed to stretch back hundreds of years. The song's exact meaning is fluid, with scholars suggesting 'ari' could mean 'beautiful' or 'aching' and 'rang' meaning 'beloved', though this is folk etymology. Its central imagery of crossing the Arirang ridge symbolises a journey from hardship and despair towards hope.
What makes Arirang uniquely powerful is its adaptability. It exists in over 60 versions with more than 3,600 recorded lyrical variations. The simple, flexible melody has allowed generations to pour their own joys, sorrows, and resilience into its lines, making it a living chronicle of the Korean experience.
A Symbol of Unity and Resistance
Arirang's significance extends deep into Korea's modern history. It became a potent symbol of resistance during Japan's colonial rule (1910-1945), particularly after the release of a seminal 1926 silent film of the same name. The colonial government later banned the song, cementing its status as an emblem of national identity.
Remarkably, it is also one of the few cultural elements that transcends the political division of the Korean peninsula. Both North and South Korea have registered Arirang 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, in place of their separate national anthems.
BTS's Return to Roots
In an industry where many groups adopt international aesthetics, BTS's decision to name their album 'Arirang' is a powerful affirmation of their Korean identity. The group, set to release the album on 20 March alongside a world tour announcement, has consistently woven their heritage into their work.
From wearing traditional hanbok in music videos to addressing social issues in their lyrics and previously performing Arirang medleys on stage, this move frames their comeback as a return to core values. Their label, BigHit Music, stated the album captures "the longing and deep love" central to BTS's story, with Arirang serving as the perfect symbolic vessel for those emotions.
For the group's millions of global fans, 'Arirang' is poised to be more than just an album title; it will be an invitation to explore the profound cultural foundation that has shaped the world's biggest pop group.
