Seven days before the release of the long-anticipated album “Arirang” by the globally recognized K-pop band BTS, the group released an animated trailer, building even more excitement among waiting fans.
The animation opens with seven young men winding a phonograph, and the melody of the Korean folk song “Arirang” — which shares the album’s title — begins to play. The scene is set in 1896 and in the next sequence, the young people take a ferry across the Pacific Ocean, singing along to the motif and later performing it for an audience. The animation then shifts through time to 2013, showing BTS performing before a full house under neon lights, with the clip concluding as they are seen from behind, standing in front of Gwanghwamun Square.
According to the description, the plot was inspired by the story of “Seven Koreans at Howard,” referencing a Washington Post article from May 8, 1896. Some of these individuals are believed to have made one of the first audio recordings of Koreans in Washington, D.C., including a rendition of “Arirang.” The narrative appears to symbolize the spread of Korean music and its global reach, inspired by the 19th-century story.
The trailer was posted on the group’s social media on March 13. Notably, on the same day, group photos for the new album “Arirang” were unveiled.
After the album’s release on March 20, BTS will perform a grand concert, BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang, on March 21 in Seoul, marking the first time all seven members will perform together in a full set since 2022. The concert will be broadcast live on Netflix and will be available on all subscription plans.
