Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably know that BTS is officially back after nearly four years of absence from the public eye. Their long-awaited return is nothing short of monumental, marked by the release of a new album and a world tour that will run until March 2027.
“Arirang,” the group’s 10th studio album and released only yesterday, March 20, features 14 tracks with a total runtime of 41 minutes and 20 seconds. It’s a mix of English and Korean lyrics, and carries BTS’ distinctive blend of hip-hop, R&B, and pop.
What exactly is Arirang? It’s a traditional Korean folk song often described as Korea’s unofficial national anthem. Its origins continue to be the subject of debate among scholars, but its theme of longing, separation and resilience resonate deeply among Koreans.
The earliest known production of Arirang was made in 1896 by American ethnologist Alice Fletcher, who recorded Korean students singing it. Over time, Arirang has been adapted in various ways, including as a resistance anthem during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Scholars believe there are more than 3,600 variations of Arirang — a clear reflection of its lasting legacy and cultural significance.
By choosing Arirang as their comeback album title, the K-Pop group is signaling a powerful return and embrace of their Korean roots and identity. It also symbolizes their longing for their fans after military service obligated their hiatus from music-making.
Fans are already weighing in on the album.
Said Rein, a business owner: “I like the fact that this album is in English and Korean. Arirang has the energy of their older albums, which I personally believe were stronger than the English ones.”
Mitzi, a Manila-based ARMY, shared: “It’s different from their previous albums, for sure. I feel like it’s targeted for the international audience, but I still like it. It’s like BTS version 2,” she said.
World tour
Big Hit Music announced the BTS World Tour Arirang in October 2025, with full details revealed three months later. The tour kicks off with shows in Goyang, South Korea, on April 9, 11, and 12, and will conclude in Manila on March 13-14, 2027.
Tickets for the North America, Europe, and South Korea legs sold out within a few hours. In fact, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum went viral after publicly appealing to South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung to add more shows in Mexico, citing overwhelming demand.
Filipino ARMYs were among the lucky ones to secure tickets. Married couple Em and Seph, based in Singapore, are watching the Goyang leg on April 12. “This will be a memorable day for me because April 12 is my birthday,” Seph said. “I did not try other dates, just my birthday. I told myself that if it is the Lord’s will, it will be done.”
Their ticketing preparations were intense. “We increased our Internet bandwidth and used LAN connection instead of Wifi,” she said. “I also practiced at NOL (ticketing platform) using other artists’ concerts to familiarize myself with the logic and design of the website.”
Free comeback concert
Before the world tour even begins, BTS will hold a free comeback concert today, March 21, at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Some 22,000 tickets were raffled for the concert but the police estimate that as many as 260,000 people may gather for the event. Rein was among the lucky ones to win a free ticket. She flew from Manila to Seoul to watch the concert.
The choice of Gwanghwamun Square as venue for the free concert is symbolic. It serves as the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the first royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Gwanghwamun is a historic landmark flanked by statues of King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-sin. King Sejong is the most beloved king of the Joseon period and the inventor of Hangeul; Admiral Yi Sun-sin was a naval commander who defended Korea against Japanese invasions.
The comeback concert has heightened security measures across Seoul, and the South Korea government announced the closure of Gyeongbokgung Palace for the duration of the concert. Other nearby historic sites and cultural venues, including the National Museum of Korea and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, have also announced temporary closures as part of safety measures for the event.
For those who were unable to secure tickets for the first legs of the world tour, Netflix will livestream BTS Comeback Live I Arirang today, March 21, at 7 p.m. (Philippine time). Additional live viewings will be streamed from Goyang on April 11 and Tokyo on April 18, with cinema screenings in SM Cinemas, Gateway Mall, and other venues.
This early, analysts are predicting that BTS’ comeback world tour would be a major economic event with a ripple effect across various industries. Korean economic analysts estimate that the tour could generate at least 8 trillion won (US$5.4 billion).
BTS’ return marks the beginning of a new chapter in their career. With a new album, a free comeback concert, and a world tour spanning multiple countries, they are set to reestablish their global presence and further cement their status as a leading international music act. CS
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