BTS already broke the internet earlier this week when they announced the dates for their upcoming tour. ARMY is in full meltdown again today because pre-order information is now available for the new album, which means we now have the album title:

ARIRANG

I know I’m biased but, like, they are operating on another level here. “Arirang” is Korea’s unofficial national anthem, a song known to every Korean, what’s considered to be the most Korean of all Korean songs in history. The themes expressed in “Arirang” include longing, love, loss, endurance, pride, identity. A Korean friend of mine today texted to say that, “to me it literally means ‘Korea’”.

So it’s already powerful that RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, who have paused group activities for several years now to serve their country, are now building their comeback, literally, in the most Korean way possible. But it’s even more powerful considering that over the last few years, especially from the pandemic onwards, as their fanbase has expanded with several English language hits, and as anticipation for their return has become more intense than ever, that they are rooting this moment in their heritage and culture. And then it’s still even more powerful for those of us who’ve been here for a while because they’re adding to a mythology that was already in place. Because this is not the first time “Arirang” has appeared in the BTS encyclopaedia.

Back in 2016, BTS performed at KCON in Paris. The event was held there as part of the “Year of Korea in France to commemorate the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. BTS was part of the lineup and during their set, they actually performed “Arirang” (video here), in different Korean dialects and incorporating the various regional versions of the song. They also added a verse that they wrote themselves which both worked for the spirit of the original and beloved Korean anthem but also for the spirit of Bangtan. The lyrics go like this:

“Pride and self-esteem

We overcame everything

Never gave up once

One big step started here…

The bright land with a blazing rising sun”

It was an expression of devotion and loyalty for the country that made them, using the attributes highlighted in the most Korean of songs as the principles that guided them to success. And now, exactly ten years later, they are going back into their own history, and their national history, to kick off their future – always as representatives of “the bright land with a blazing rising sun”. That sun seems to be reflected in the new album art:

So much has changed for BTS since 2016, which is the year they really exploded. It was the year they won their “Daesang” or grand prize. They of course had a passionate fanbase before that but 2016 is really when they went next level to become the biggest act in K-pop history. Now, a decade later, they’re reaching back to a performance that took place during that pivotal year, and centering their comeback around that particular song and all its layered meanings but, I mean, if you have to take away just one, it would be, WE ARE KOREAN.

What else happened today…

Oh look, another celebrity is doing a podcast. (Pajiba)

Emilia Clarke’s coat game has been excellent over the last few days. (Go Fug Yourself)

Indy the dog is the star of Good Boy, a film that is critically acclaimed and a film that I will never, ever see because I do not want to sit through almost two hours watching a good boy be afraid or anxious. They are too pure, they should only have fun experiences like romps in the snow and eating peanut butter off your fingers and taking up the whole couch and leaving the human with the most uncomfortable corner. Sarah reviewed Good Boy here. and she wrote about Indy’s wonderful performance and now he’s an award winner. Which he probably doesn’t give a f-ck about because he would rather go for a swim in the lake.  (Celebitchy)

The Hot Snake Guy on Traitors is familiar to all of us who f-ck hard with Love Island USA. It’s ROB. Rob is on Traitors… which is actually a really good show for him to be on. And Olivia Craighead is obsessed with him. (The Cut)

A few days ago it was reported that Sharon Stone, while accepting an award, called out a young person for being a dick to her. Now there’s video of what she said on stage as she described how rude they were, how dismissive, and how satisfying it was to then let them know that the person they did not know was actually an award recipient. Most people are assuming the ignorance was coming from influencers. But also… it’s LA. Like an young LA influencer is a particular brand of asshole. (EW)

Photo credits: Chris Jung/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Share this post