BTS 'Arirang' Foreign Body Review "Revived Fireworks"I brought a new sound that I've never heard before.""Compliments" [K-EYES]

*This content was translated by AI.

When BTS (BTS) released its full-length album "ARIRANG" in three years and nine months, major foreign media quickly poured out reviews. The Guardian, the U.S. Billboard, the Hollywood Reporter, and Rolling Stone, as well as Middle East media Gulf News, welcomed their comeback in four years, saying, "They are finally back."

The Guardian, a British daily newspaper, said, "The first 15 minutes of the album contains the rebellious and rap-oriented energy of the 2014 album 'Dark and Wild' and said BTS "revived the flame" they lost during 'Dynamite' and 'Butter'. Regarding the title song "SWIM," he described it as "a music that permeates the ears and gets stuck in the head."

Gulf News said of the entire album, "When the seven voices came back together as one, not as a fragment, the feeling seemed to have returned to the hunger of the debut days. "With the maturity of 2026, darker, rougher, and addictive textures added," he said, describing the album as a "pity experience." The Guardian evaluated BTS as "reviving the flame" they lost during "Dynamite" and "Butter," and Billboard said, "More mature and artistically refined than ever."

The Guardian paid particular attention to the Korean identity of the album. Pointing to the fact that the album title "Arirang" was taken from a 600-year-old folk song, it was analyzed that it positioned themselves within the tradition of exporting Korean culture to the world through a promotional video in which seven BTS members directly listened to the first "Arirang" record recorded by seven Korean men in the United States in 1896. The Hollywood Reporter also introduced that the album's name originated from "the first Korean folk song recorded by Korean men in 1896 with American ethnologist Alice Fletcher," adding, "BTS has always been and will continue to be a Korean band."

Comments by Track

Regarding the opening track "Body to Body," the Hollywood Reporter said, "The pansori-style Arirang melody permeates the hip-hop beat, confirming in just a few seconds that BTS has dipped their feet in more experimental water. The perfect candidate for the opening of the concert." The Guardian said, "A declaration of 'I need the whole stadium to jump' follows the fierce base drop."

"Hooligan" is the hottest topic of the album. The Hollywood Reporter cited it as an "addictive rap track with a mix of string arrangements and sharp blade sounds," and Gulf News described it as "a track that explodes with chaotic laughter, with RM leading the song with rough, textured vocals, V's voice clearly heard in the background, and Suga returned to the strong rapping that ARMY has long missed." He even added that the laugh would "become a legend of fandom." The Guardian introduced producer El Gincho as "the man responsible for the cutting edge tracks of Rosalia and Charlie XCX," in which BTS "goes back to the roots and declares global dominance."

"FYA" is the highlight of the album that the media have in common. The Hollywood Reporter said, "It's a Jersey club beat track produced by Diplo, Flume, and JPEGMAFIA, which is a sound that fans have never heard before in the history of BTS," and Gulf News said, "It starts with a heavy breath and explodes, leading RM to deep and intense vocals. As the speed soared, I felt like I was running without a brake or a safety device." "The darkest taste of Jersey club music, full of fluctuating synths and distorted beats," the Guardian said.

Regarding the title song "SWIM," the Guardian said, "It's subtle and understated, music that permeates the ears and gets stuck in the head," and Gulf News said, "When V sings 'Just want to give, swim' in a soft baritone, Jin takes over with a meditative chorus." It's a moment of calm in a storm, and it feels like I'm swimming between waves of emotions." The Hollywood Reporter said, "It's definitely going to be a radio hit."

"Merry Go Round" is a dreamy rock track produced by Kevin Parker of Them Impala. The Guardian said, "My life is a gloomy and beautiful song with the lyrics of a broken roller coaster," and Gulf News said, "It's a track that goes around endlessly and never gives up hope, hovering over a calm instrument melody."

Regarding "Normal," the Guardian wrote, "The song frankly confesses the price of fame between spotlight and solitude. The lyrics, "Now I understand the truth, some pain is real / If everything's just happy, that in't real," recently complained about Jungkook's life as an idol "It will be the subject of intensive analysis by fans in conjunction with the deleted live broadcast," he pointed out.

Regarding the final track "Into the Sun," the Hollywood Reporter said, "BTS are now entering their own new league. The album, and the group, exists outside the limits that the world has imposed on them."

"K-pop's litmus test paper"

The Guardian also pointed to the social and industrial significance of the album. Spotify pre-storage exceeded 5 million times, breaking the all-time record for K-pop groups, and HYBE shares soared on expectations of a comeback. On the other hand, Hive's operating profit plunged about 37.5% during the hiatus, saying, "BTS' comeback is a litmus paper that tests the genre's continued international appeal at a time when the K-pop industry is shaken by various scandals and stagnant album sales." Jungkook told Rolling Stone. "I couldn't do music even if I wanted to while I was serving in the military. The craving has built up. I wanted to do better, and I wanted to show something great."

BTS will hold a comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square on the 21st and broadcast it live to 190 countries through Netflix.

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*This content was translated by AI.