Global superstars BTS has made their highly anticipated comeback with their 5th full-length album, “Arirang.”
The album, including the title track “SWIM,” was released on the 20th at 1 PM KST, accompanied by a visually stunning music video. Filmed against the backdrop of Lisbon, Portugal’s vast ocean, the music video boasts breathtaking scale and artistry, seamlessly blending real-life large ships with meticulously crafted sets.
The music video opens with a colossal ship navigating the endless sea. A woman in the video endures hardship, experiencing moments of wavering and despair. BTS appears as guiding figures, steering the ship, raising the anchor, and charting the course forward. The seven members offer unwavering support, each in their own way, standing by her side and offering silent encouragement. Ultimately, the woman breaks free from her shackles, symbolized by a broken necklace, and smiles brightly, capturing the excitement, tension, and challenges of a new journey with powerful sensitivity.
Hollywood actress Lili Reinhart enhances the immersion with her nuanced emotional portrayal. Renowned director Tanu Muino helmed the project, creating a cinematic masterpiece with breathtaking mise-en-scène.
The members shared their viewing highlights through Big Hit Music, noting that “you can see a subtly more mature BTS.” They also encouraged viewers to immerse themselves in the story-driven video as if watching a movie. They also shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote about the weather: “Unfortunately, not a single day was blessed with good weather. There are scenes filmed in the rain, but we were happy because they turned out beautifully.”
The new album, ‘Arirang,’ embodies BTS’s identity and universal emotions relatable to many. Bang Si-hyuk served as the executive producer, elevating the album’s musical sophistication. The title track, ‘SWIM,’ is an alternative pop song about persevering through life’s waves. It expresses the determination to calmly swim forward at one’s own pace, interpreting it as “love for life.”
BTS will hold ‘BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG’ at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the 21st at 8 PM KST, showcasing new tracks, including the title song. Furthermore, in collaboration with Spotify, they will host the ‘Spotify X BTS: SWIMSIDE’ event in New York on the 23rd (local time). They will also appear on the popular NBC program ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ on the 25th and 26th to continue the global comeback momentum.
