K-pop supergroup BTS released their fifth studio album on Friday, their first in nearly four years, timed ahead of a high-profile comeback concert in Seoul.
The 14-track record, titled ARIRANG, borrows its name from a traditional Korean folk song and is framed as a return to the group’s roots and identity. Music outlet Billboard described the album as a love letter to the group’s home country.
The release follows an extended hiatus while members completed roughly 18 months of mandatory military service. Member Jimin said the group reflected deeply on who they are and how to present themselves authentically, and revisited the significance of being composed entirely of Korean members as part of that process.
BTS will showcase songs from the new album at an open-air concert at historic Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday. Organizers expect about 260,000 attendees, and hotels across Seoul are reported fully booked as fans travel from around the world.
Some concertgoers who could not secure tickets, including fans Mara Cristia Yao and Rodessa Ericka Bonon from the Philippines, chose to remain in Seoul to be near the event. Yao said they planned to position themselves near the area to soak up the atmosphere despite not having tickets.
The show will be livestreamed by Netflix to roughly 190 countries. Following the Seoul event, BTS is scheduled to launch a world tour in April that is expected to run for nearly three months.
Edited by: Kieran Burke