BTS Announce Upcoming Album ‘ARIRANG’
While official details about the album and its tracklist have yet to be released, the title of the record alone holds a lot of meaning and sheds light on the possible themes the group will explore.
By Rome Saenz
Courtesy of BTS
Not only are BTS set to tour the world once more, but they’ve just announced that they’re set to return to music with their upcoming album ARIRANG. Set for release on March 20, 2026 (Friday), the album is available for pre-ordering at both online and offline retailers. Pre-save the fourteen-track album on your preferred digital streamingDigital StreamingThe delivery of music over the internet for immediate listening, without downloading a permanent copy, through services such as Spotify and Apple Music. Streaming has become the main way peopleGo to Digital Streaming Glossary site here.
While details about the album’s tracklist and the like have yet to be revealed, it’s been noted that the album’s title packs a lot of meaning in the music cultural landscape of South Korea. “Arirang,” literally translated as “my beloved one,” is a traditional Korean folk song that has been included twice on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea, the song became an anthem of resistance when it became a criminal offense for anyone to sing patriotic songs, including the country’s national anthem. Today, the song has become a symbol of patriotism and cultural identity for both North and South Korea, being translated into more than 60 versions.
This follows the recent announcement of BTS’s upcoming World TourWorld TourA series of concerts held across multiple countries and continents, usually to support a new album or career milestone. World tours demonstrate an artist's international reach, and Philippine stops haveGo to World Tour Glossary, scheduled to take place from 2026 to 2027 in nations worldwide. Notably, the seven-piece boy group will be visiting the Philippines for the first time in nine years, bringing their live music to Manila for two nights. From tour dates to concert locations, find out more about BTS’s upcoming World Tour here.
In anticipation of ARIRANG, listen to Proof here: