BTS Announces 5th Full-Length Album ‘ARIRANG’, Know Its Meaning And Significance!

BTS army, assemble! The K-pop band has officially marked their comeback after their military break. Following the announcement of their world tour, the Korean septet has unveiled the release date and time of their brand new album. RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are all set to captivate the attention of all on March 20, 2026, at 1 pm KST (9:30 am IST). Titled ‘Arirang’, the album was available for pre-order. Surprisingly, it sold out within minutes of its launch.

According to Forbes, Arirang refers to a traditional Korean folk song with thousands of variations, boasting over six decades of history. People call it the unofficial national anthem of the country, and a shared cultural aspect between South and North Korea. Here’s why!

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During Japan’s colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945, Arirang became a symbol of resistance. Moreover, its significance extends far beyond resistance or politics. It is one of the few cultural elements that has historically transcended the division of the Korean peninsula. Both North and South Korea have registered it with UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. When athletes from the two Koreas marched together at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, Arirang played instead of either national anthem.

Most of the mainstream K-pop bands have appealed to global audiences and have set their unique identities. BTS’s choice to name their new album Arirang is indeed a sign of a clear affirmation of their identity. Furthermore, its significance also lies in the very name of the country, Hankook or Hanguk, where ‘han’ stands for longingness, deep-felt sorrow, resilience, and hope that have long defined the nation’s outlook. 

Since Arirang will be a long-awaited comeback after 3 years and 9 months, BTS fans are jubilant and doing nothing but counting days!