BTS has released the video for “SWIM” as part of the rollout for their comeback album, ARIRANG.
The 14-track project, which arrived on Friday (March 20), takes its name from “ARIRANG,” a traditional Korean folk song associated with themes of identity, longing, separation, and reunion. As previously noted by Forbes, the song holds deep cultural significance across the Korean Peninsula.
The group is also set to stage a comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. The accompanying tour will span 34 regions, with Australian dates scheduled for 2027.
BTS’ long-awaited fifth album features production and songwriting contributions from a wide range of artists, including Diplo, Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, Mike WiLL Made-It, OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, Flume, El Guincho, JPEGMAFIA, and Teezo Touchdown.
The album arrives three years after the group completed military service. All members of BTS were discharged in South Korea in 2025.
“‘ARIRANG’ is an album that embodies the origin and identity of BTS and carries the message that they want to convey now,” HYBE Corp., the parent company of the group’s management agency, said in a statement to The Associated Press. “Considering the symbolic significance of the word ‘Arirang,’ we’ve decided to hold a performance at Gwanghwamun, a place that represents Korea.”
Fans will also be able to watch BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG on Netflix beginning March 21, along with a documentary, BTS: THE RETURN, set to premiere on March 27.
A live concert film, BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’, is scheduled to hit theaters in April.
