BTS announce new album title 'ARIRANG'; all about the meaning, 14 tracks; 10 vinyl editions and release date

After a nearly four-year musical hiatus, the K-pop giants BTS are back. Well, almost.On Friday morning, the entertainment company BigHit Music shared on social media that the septet - RM, Jin, Jimin, V, Suga, Jung Kook and j-hope - will release a new album on March 20 titled "ARIRANG.

" It is their fifth album.

What we know about the new BTS album 'ARIRANG'

In addition to news of the album title, the retailer Target announced it was partnering with BTS for exclusive preorder editions of "ARIRANG." Starting at 9 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, fans can preorder 10 different vinyl album editions. And for fans of CDs, there are two exclusive editions with collectible photocards.Other than that, details are limited. BigHit Music shared a link on social media Thursday morning that led to WeVerse, the online fan platform owned by BTS management company HYBE.

The webpage included international pre-order details for "ARIRANG" but appeared to omit all album artwork.

What does 'ARIRANG' mean?

According to Forbes, the word 'ARIRANG' has no single agreed-upon definition, but it has long been associated with a Korean folk song and with its first written appearance found in a 1756 manuscript. The word also has ties to the country’s turbulent history, when it doubled up as a battle cry in the struggle for independence.

It has many variations ranging from 'homecoming' to themes of 'displacement', 'separation', 'endurance', and hope for reunion.

About BTS' new album

Early this month, BTS announced their plans to return with their fifth full-length album on March 20. The album will feature a 14-track project reflecting the members' personal thoughts and experiences. "True to their identity as artists who express themselves through music, BTS poured their efforts into capturing the essence of who they are today," BigHit Music said in a statement, noting that the album production was the group's primary focus through the second half of last year.

RM and Jungkook tease new album

In a Weverse update, BTS leader Kim Namjoon, aka RM, even teased a comeback as he said, "The music is coming out really well!! Everyone's trying. Please look forward to it."Jungkook fuelled buzz with his remark, "I think this spring will be more important than ever. So I sincerely hope you all have a safe and enjoyable spring."At that time, the artists, in a group statement, said, "We'll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year ...

We're also planning a world tour alongside the new album. We'll be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you're as excited as we are."

BTS announce March 20 comeback

Earlier this month, BigHit Music shared a somewhat cryptic note on X: "March 20 comeback confirmed." It wasn't much to go off, but it did further confirm news from last summer, when the group teased a world tour and announced that a new album would be released in the spring of 2026.

At the time, they said they would begin working on the project in July 2025.

BTS announce world tour

On Tuesday, the band announced a 2026-2027 world tour, kicking off in South Korea in April and running through March 2027 with over 70 dates across Asia, North America, South America, Australia and Europe.This marks the group's first headline performances since their 2021-22 Permission to Dance on Stage tour. See the full tour dates here.

BTS 2026 World Tour Dates

April 9, April 11-12 — Goyang, South KoreaApril 17-18 – TokyoApril 25-26 — Tampa, FloridaMay 2-3 — El Paso, TexasMay 7, May 9-10 — Mexico CityMay 16-17 — Stanford, CaliforniaMay 23-24, May 27 — Las VegasJune 12-13 — Busan, South KoreaJune 26-27 — MadridJuly 1-2 — BrusselsJuly 6-7 — LondonJuly 11-12 — MunichJuly 17-18 — ParisAug. 1-2 — East Rutherford, New JerseyAug. 5 -6 — Foxborough, MassachusettsAug. 10-11 — BaltimoreAug. 15-16 — Arlington, TexasAug. 22-23 — TorontoAug. 27-28 — ChicagoSept. 1 - 2, Sept. 5 - 6 — Los AngelesOct. 2-3— Bogotá, ColombiaOct. 9-10 — Lima, PeruOct. 16-17 — Santiago, ChileOct. 23-24 — Buenos Aires, ArgentinaOct. 28, Oct. 30-31 — São PauloNov. 19, Nov. 21-22 — Kaohsiung, TaiwanDec. 3, Dec. 5-6 — BangkokDec. 12-13 — Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDec. 17, Dec. 19-20, Dec. 22 — SingaporeDec. 26-27 — Jakarta

BTS 2027 World Tour Dates

Feb. 12-13 — Melbourne, AustraliaFeb. 20-21 — SydneyMarch 4, March 6-7 — Hong KongMarch 13-14 — Manila, Philippines

Why was BTS on hiatus for so long?

All seven members of BTS were tasked with completing South Korea's mandatory military service.In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18-28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren't subject to such privileges.Rapper Suga was the last group member to be released - from his duties as a social service agent, an alternative to serving in the military that he reportedly chose because of a shoulder injury. That was in June 2025.The six others, RM, V, Jimin, Jung Kook, Jin and j-hope, served in the army.BTS tiered their enlistments, giving ample time for its members to focus on solo projects while the group was on a break.Jin, the oldest member, was the first to enlist in 2022. He was also the first to be discharged, in June 2024.