BTS has unveiled a striking animated trailer for their upcoming fifth studio album ARIRANG, blending Korean heritage with the group’s global narrative.
BigHit Music released the animation on March 13 via BTS’s official YouTube channel. The one-minute-three-second video introduces the album’s central message while highlighting the historical journey of the Korean folk melody “Arirang.”
From 1896 Recording to a Global Stage
The trailer opens in 1896. Seven young men gather around a phonograph, winding it up as the traditional melody of “Arirang” begins to play. The scene references historical records indicating that the song was first recorded in the United States that year.
The characters then board a massive ship and cross the Pacific Ocean. After arriving in a distant land, they record and perform the song for new audiences, symbolizing the global spread of Korean culture.
Past Meets Present
The narrative then shifts to the modern era. BTS appears on stage in a concert hall glowing with purple lights, delivering an energetic performance for fans.
The animation concludes at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, the location where the group will hold their upcoming comeback performance on March 21. The visual storytelling offers a preview of the album’s concept and builds anticipation for the new release.
BigHit Music explained that the project aims to introduce the history and meaning of “Arirang” to global listeners unfamiliar with the song. The agency added that it hopes audiences around the world will connect with the emotional depth of traditional Korean culture.
BTS will release ARIRANG on March 20 at 1 PM. The album will feature a total of 14 tracks.
