"'SWIM' = Pyongyang naengmyeon-like charm' BTS will open today (20th) a new report 'BTS 'BTS 2.0' [a question and answer]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I'm excited and nervous, but more than anything, I'm touched."

BTS will release its fifth full-length album "ARIRANG" at 1 p.m. on the 20th. This is the first time in three years and nine months since the anthology album "Proof" in June 2022. This activity will open the beginning of the team's new chapter 'BTS 2.0'. The album, which contains BTS's identity and universal emotions, was further enhanced by Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, who was in charge of general production.

The new report contains a total of 14 songs, including the title song "SWIM." The BTS shows the "BTS of the present" by putting all the sincere experiences and concerns gained from the last journey into the whole song. After preparing to meet with music fans around the world, BTS delivered questions and answers about the album and activities through Big Hit Music.

Q. How do you feel about making a comeback after 3 years and 9 months

Group: I'm excited and nervous, but more than anything, I'm deeply moved. I am happy and grateful just to be able to do something together with seven people for the first time in a long time. ARMY. Fandom name: We've prepared as much as you've waited for us for a long time. It is a great emotion and happiness to be able to show you a good performance again. It's been a long time since it's a group album, so I'm afraid, but there's no big worry because the members and ARMY are together.

Q. What do you want to convey the most from this album

Suga: I thought about what's most like us. The focus was on "us" itself rather than the grand message.

Jimin: I wanted to say that I keep moving forward. There is always a pressure to show a new and better appearance. There are a lot of worries, too. Nevertheless, I tried to express my mind that I would keep swimming without stopping.

Jungkook: I hope you think that the most BTS-like album came out with individual time and color.

Q. How was the "Korean element" in the album decided

RM: First of all, I threw out ideas that came to mind. In a songwriting session, I made a song based on Taekwondo. It didn't go into the album, but I personally quite liked it. I think the Korean factor is an important keyword that can combine seven people. This is because it is also in contact with the roots where we started. What is Korean is still being redefined and changed. I think it would be fun for us to be part of the flow too.

Jin/Sugar: The album logo started with Jungkook's idea. As the members' opinions were added in various ways, the concept of the current album was set, and there were also opinions that it would be nice to include Korean elements naturally as all of them are Koreans.

J-Hope: The lyrics of the new album also melted the excitement and culture of Korea. In many areas, I tried to create more "points where seven people can be together." I think it's something that starts at the root to come back and show the way it is. Because its roots are solid together, I think we are where we are now.

V: All the members came up with a lot of ideas and struggled to melt their individuality. ARMY will also be able to enjoy looking up one by one.

Q. What are the criteria for expressing "Korean elements"

RM: I wanted to solve the Korean element naturally in our way now, rather than bringing it as it is in a set frame. This is because I think emotions are conveyed more widely when not excessive variations and our own interpretations are added. I wanted to bring 'Arirang' that can be interpreted in various ways a little differently and interpret it anew.

Jin/Sugar: Rather than forcing in Korean elements, we focused on melting them down like us. He tried to balance the colors of the BTS so that it could remain clear while keeping the Korean sentiment alive.

J-Hope: I think balance and moderation are definitely important. However, it may be better to show it boldly when it becomes a point within that. In this album and stage, I thought hard to reveal the standard of "not excessive but definitely at the moment of need."

Jimin: We thought about our identity and the way we speak in general in music and performance, and in that extension, we came to rethink the background that all the members are Korean. So, I made Korean elements an important point. In particular, Arirang' is a word and folk song that Koreans have encountered countless times since they were young, so choosing it as the title of the album was burdensome and responsible.

Q. Why did you choose "SWIM" as the title

RM: As it was the title song, I held it for the longest and agonized over it. I've been trying to make a song that goes beyond "SWIM" for a whole month, but it wasn't easy. When I first heard this song, I felt that it had a light and cozy charm like Pyeongyang naengmyeon. The more I listened to it, the more I felt that I wanted to swim together.

Jin: It was not a song that made me crave food from the beginning, but it was a song that I couldn't forget the more I listened to it. In particular, the rhythmic point that appears in the middle of the song (sound like "dungdda dda dda dda ddang") is memorable. I lost track of time when I was listening to that part.

J-Hope: I tried to make a performance where I could hear the song well even while watching the stage. There are details such as movements that express waves and points that sink quietly like diving. At first, I was worried that it would feel "deep" among the songs with strong impact, but as I listened to it, it naturally melted into the sound and became comfortable. I chose it as the title song because it fits the theme we want to talk about the best.

V: 'SWIM' felt the lightest among the strong-sounding songs. At first, I thought it wasn't a stimulating song, but as I kept listening, I thought I could listen to it for a long time.

Jungkook: The more I listen to it, the more I think, "This is right." There is a point where the lyrics show "BTS now" well, and the performance has a new point that is different from the previous one, so please pay attention.

Q. What kind of song do you want people to remember "SWIM"

Group: Just a song like life. I hope it's just a song for everyone who swims day by day, splashing, breathing out and inhaling. It's a song that's warmer the more you listen to it, so I hope it's a song that helps you live your lives. Also, I hope that "SWIM" will remain in many people's hearts for a long time, just like "Arirang," which is passed down from mouth to mouth and has been around people for a long time.

Q. A new attempt at a full-length album

Group: If you listen to all the songs of the new album, the album itself is solid. It focused on expanding a wide range of genres, sounds, and vocal expressions. Even if it's not a genre we're familiar with, we tried to do it and tried to put expressions that we haven't done before. In "FYA", a hyper jersey-based sound with rough energy was added, and in "Like Animals" and "Merry Go Round", a psychedelic texture was added to try different resolution music. When recording, he also took detailed changes, such as relaxing and adjusting it to sound light. It's hard to say 100% satisfaction, but it's satisfactory enough in that it's still changing and moving forward.

Q. Behind the scenes of the songwriting session in Los Angeles, the U.S

Suga: We all lived together and worked on the song. We ate and talked a lot together every day. And they spend their free time in their own way. Especially, I talked a lot about my rookie days every evening. It's been a long time since we got together, so I remembered a lot about that time.

J-Hope: There were days when things went well, but on days when I was stuck, I came back to the accommodation and comforted each other and took care of my condition. The process of living with the members and making the album itself felt new.

Jimin: Right after our debut, the members said, "Let's make an album that we make ourselves later." It was very meaningful that all seven of us had a songwriting session together.

V: I heard a theme on my way back from exercising, and at that moment, I suddenly got inspired and sang a song right away. The response was good on the spot and I liked the overall melody, so I was able to put it in this album. That's the last track, "Into the Sun".

Jungkook: With more than 100 songs to work on, the process of the members coming together and listening to the demo at once was particularly impressive. There were songs that were scattered and worked on, so there were not a few songs I heard for the first time, and the process was interesting and memorable. I was just so happy and happy.

Q. What do you think "BTS 2.0" means

RM: I've thought about it countless times, but it's hard to define it as just one. However, I think it is more of a 'balance'. Half of the time, seven people gathered again, and half of the time, they have to move somewhere and change. It's not easy, but it's just as happy and fun.

Jin: I think you need to be a little more mature. Thoughts need to be more serious and grow more in every way. I want to work harder on my activities.

SUGA: It's a 'new beginning'.

J-Hope: I think it means that you will grow one more level as an artist. I think it is the beginning of "2.0" to express musical freedom and maturity while expressing the way they are.

Jimin: Rather than adding particularly grandiose meanings, the way of expression may be slightly different, but in the end, I am determined to continue to strive and grow as always.

V: I think it's a story involving growth. All of them are new and start naturally over time, but it is also thought to be an opportunity for BTS to show their experience and growth up to this point while performing on the stage.

Jungkook: It's literally 'something new'. Anything means a new direction. I also want to start with a new mind.

Q. One thing that hasn't changed compared to the past

RM: When I'm with the members, I see my favorite self. They are things like childhood innocence and childhood innocence. We often say that it's really fun when we're together. It's not easy to meet friends like this family.

Jin: If I were to say that the members got closer to each other, rather than changed. When we are together, the atmosphere of laughing and playing around naturally remains the same. These days, if there is a good restaurant, we go to eat together.

Suga/V: I don't think my passion and love for the stage will change.

Jimin: There will be difficulties whenever we take on new challenges in the future. So I have to keep thinking about what's right and make a choice. Nevertheless, the attitude of continuing to swim without stopping like 'SWIM' will not change.

J-Hope/Jungkook: My heart for ARMY remains the same. I always thank you and love you.

Q. What do you want to say to ARMY

Group: We sincerely thank ARMY for waiting for us for a long time. We missed you a lot, and the fact that the seven of us can be together is more precious than anything else. I will visit you with music, stage, world tour that will follow and other various activities. Are you ready to enjoy it comfortably and enjoy it together? We prepared a lot of performances that we can enjoy together, so let's enjoy it together. I love you so much.

BTS is actively engaged in activities with the release of the new report. At 2 p.m. on the 20th, the global superfan platform Weverse team channel will host a comeback commemorative group live "STUDIO NOTES | ARIRANG". The next day, at 8 p.m. on the 21st, "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE ｜ ARIRANG" will be held around Gwanghwamun Square.

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*This content was translated by AI.