BTS spread the melody of "Arirang" worldwide through the animation for their fifth studio album.
HYBE Music Group label BigHit Music released an animation containing the message of the new song "Arirang" (ARIRANG) on BTS's official social media at 11 a.m. on the 13th. The video begins by showing seven young men gathered in front of a phonograph in 1896. When the phonograph's spring is wound, the melody of the Korean folk song "Arirang" flows out and instantly immerses viewers. The group then crosses the Pacific Ocean on a huge ship, records the song in an unfamiliar foreign country and plays it for local people. The setting shifts to the present day and BTS appears on stage. The members deliver passionate performances to cheers from the audience in a concert hall lit with purple lights. The animation ends with a scene of BTS standing proudly in front of Gwanghwamun, bringing hope and comfort through music.
The video was inspired by a record that "Arirang" was first recorded in Washington, D.C., in 1896. Taking that historic moment as a motif, it highlights BTS's efforts to introduce Korean culture to the world. BigHit Music said the production background was, "We wanted to tell the story behind this song to people who are not familiar with 'Arirang.' We hope many people will look up the lyrics of 'Arirang' and appreciate the unique Korean sensibility woven into the song."
BTS also released the first group photo for the new song "Arirang" along with the animation. The members showed a refined look in suits that evoke the seven figures in the video.
Meanwhile, BTS will release their fifth studio album "Arirang" at 1 p.m. on March 20. HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk served as the executive producer, and the album includes 14 tracks that capture "BTS as they are now." On the day after the release, March 21, they will hold "BTS comeback live: ARIRANG" (BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG) around Gwanghwamun Square. The performance will be broadcast live worldwide on Netflix.
[Photo] BigHit Music
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