K-pop juggernaut BTS is finally making its long-awaited comeback with its fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” set to be released at 1 p.m. on Friday after months of buildup.

“Arirang” marks the group’s first new album release in three years and nine months since its anthology album “Proof” (2022) and the first full-group release after the members completed their mandatory military services.


The title, “Arirang,” draws its name from a collection of Korea’s traditional folk songs and follows the group’s reflection of its roots and identity, according to its agency BigHit Music. The 14-track album will also contain what BigHit Music describes as “genuine stories that BTS wished to share with ARMY, who have been waiting for the group’s comeback,” referring to the band’s official fandom.

The album garnered more than 4 million preorders in its first week of availability in January, breaking the group’s previous first-week preorder record of 3.42 million units of its fourth full-length album “Map of the Soul: 7” (2020).

Led by “Swim,” the track list includes “Body to Body,” “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “FYA,” “2.0,” “No. 29,” “Merry Go Round,” “Normal,” “Like Animals,” “they don’t know ‘bout us,” “One More Night,” “Please” and “Into the Sun,” with a star-studded lineup of producers such as Diplo, Ryan Tedder, El Guincho and BTS’s longtime musical partner, Pdogg.

Produced by Tyler Spry and Leclair, the lead track, “Swim,” is an alternative pop song centered on BTS’s determination to keep moving forward despite life’s challenges. Leader RM contributed to the song’s lyrics.

The music video was directed by Tanu Muino, who previously worked with member Jungkook on the music video for his 2023 solo track “Standing Next to You.”

A day after the album’s release, BTS will mark its return with what is expected to be a monumental moment in K-pop history: a live performance, titled “BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang,” at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Saturday.

The free show, slated to begin at 8 p.m. and livestreamed on Netflix, is estimated to draw up to 260,000 people in the area, according to police. About 20,000 tickets have been issued for the performance.

“We’re truly excited to meet everyone at Gwanghwamun,” RM wrote on the fan community platform Weverse on Thursday. “Since this will be a gathering with many people, we ask for your cooperation for everyone to be able to enjoy the show safely.”

The rapper stressed the importance of safety and thanked police and government authorities for their preparations.

Coinciding with the comeback, BigHit Music is hosting a series of fan events, called “BTS the City Arirang Seoul,” to mark the occasion, such as media displays at Seoul’s major landmarks, including N Seoul Tower, Sungnyemun, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Banpo Bridge, as well as a drone light show at Ttukseom Han River Park in eastern Seoul on Friday.

Meanwhile, authorities have stepped up efforts to tackle ticket scalping for the BTS show as part of a broader crackdown on unfair ticket transactions.

“BTS, the proud artists of Korea, will hold a performance on Saturday,” President Lee Jae Myung wrote on his social media account on Tuesday. “I hope this will be a meaningful moment for us to share and enjoy the beauty of our cultural heritage and K-culture.”

The president called for a safe concert environment and urged the public to report illegal ticket resales that disrupt market order.

Following the Gwanghwamun performance, BTS will embark on what is expected to be K-pop’s largest world tour yet, with at least 82 shows across 34 stops, starting with three shows at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi on April 9, 11 and 12.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]