BTS unveils 14-song tracklist for comeback album 'Arirang'
by Thomas Maresca · UPISEOUL, March 4 (UPI) -- K-pop supergroup BTS on Wednesday unveiled the tracklist for its upcoming studio album Arirang, offering the first detailed look at the band's long-awaited full-group comeback following the members' military service.
The group's label, BigHit Music, released the tracklist through official channels, confirming that the album will feature 14 songs, including opener "Body to Body" and title track "SWIM."
The remaining songs include "Hooligan," "Aliens," "FYA," "2.0," "No. 29," "Merry Go Round," "NORMAL," "Like Animals," "they don't know 'bout us," "One More Night," "Please" and the closing track "Into The Sun."
The album, scheduled for release March 20, will mark BTS' first major group project in nearly four years and their first since the members completed mandatory military service.
BigHit said the album's 14 tracks share "the honest stories BTS has long wanted to tell ARMY, who have been waiting for their full-group comeback." ARMY is the name of BTS's official fandom.
"The members were deeply involved throughout the songwriting and production process, infusing their own thoughts and identities while expressing the emotions and reflections they experienced along their journey," the label said.
BigHit also unveiled producing and songwriting credits for Arirang, with BTS members represented on every track alongside star producers including Diplo, Tame Impala's Kevin Parker, El Guincho, Mike WiLL Made-It and Ryan Tedder.
"Was a journey and so much fun working with these guys and an honor to be involved in this," Tedder, who collaborated on several songs, wrote on the social media platform X after the tracklist was released.
Title track "SWIM" is an upbeat alternative pop song about navigating life's turbulent waves, with group leader RM taking a lead role in the lyrics, BigHit said, according to news agency Yonhap.
The album announcement comes ahead of "BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang," a major reunion performance scheduled for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul that will be streamed globally on Netflix.
Seoul city officials said this week they have conditionally approved a safety management plan for the large-scale event, which is expected to draw massive crowds to the downtown plaza.
The city said organizers will strengthen crowd-control measures, emergency medical transport systems and transportation management, including potential subway pass-through operations and bus detours to manage congestion in the area.
Authorities will operate a joint on-site control center with police, fire officials and other agencies to oversee safety during the event, Seoul officials said.
Arirang will be BTS' fifth studio album and their first major release since the 2022 anthology Proof.
Following the album's release, the group will embark on what BigHit described as the largest world tour in K-pop history, spanning 34 cities and 79 shows. The tour, which features a 360-degree stage design, kicks off April 9 at Goyang Sports Complex near Seoul.
Formed in 2010, BTS consists of RM, Jin, V, J-Hope, Suga, Jung Kook and Jimin. The group went on hiatus in 2022 as all seven members completed South Korea's mandatory military service.