Chiara⁷

I have been sitting with this for hours now, trying to steady myself because, my goodness, BTS has done something sublime, yet again. Because, to name the comeback album, “Arirang” is not just an album title. And for them to send ARMY a message on Apple Music, calling us ARMYrang is not just a message. As a librarian, as a folklorist, as a writer of folk tales, and as ARMY, this moment reaches far deeper than fandom. It touches the part of me that understands how culture survives; how stories of ordinary people make the fabric of sovereignty and nationhood. Arirang comes from folk tradition. It is not a song you own. It is a song you carry. It is a story you offer. It has no single author. It belongs to farmers and migrants, to those who labored and waited, to people who crossed mountains and borders with grief in their pockets and hope folded carefully into song. Arirang has always been sung at thresholds, when leaving, when returning, when words are not enough. So when BTS name their comeback album, Arirang, this is not nostalgia. This is not branding. This is not a trend. This is inheritance. This is heritage. A cultural artifact brought back to consciousness.

BTS is not saying we are back. They are saying we endured. They are saying we crossed. They are saying we remember who we are and where we come from. And then, ARMYrang. That word undid me. In folk traditions, the refrain of song and story exists so others can join in. The song lives because someone answers back. To be named inside a song and story is to be acknowledged as part of its survival. ARMYrang is not a term of endearment. By using folk literature, BTS is addressing us as kin and community. BTS says: you are not the audience. You are not just a market. You are not merely a number. You are part of the refrain. As a librarian, I know this as second skin: for culture to survive it needs to be remembered and to be lived. Because someone must keep on singing, retelling, passing it on with care.

As a folklorist, I know what it means to step into collective authorship; to speak with humility, to carry a story without flattening it, to trust the people who receive it to hold it well. As ARMY, I know what it has meant to wait. As a mother, I learned how to hold joy and sorrow together. Being a woman, I know how to sing quietly when shouting would break us. And now, ARMYrang. It feels like love eternal not because it promises forever but because it promises continuance. Eternity, in folk culture, is not endless time. It is unbroken transmission. A song passed hand to hand. A name spoken with care. A people who show up, again and again, to sing. To tell stories. This comeback does not ask us to scream. It asks us to listen. It does not demand attention. It asks for reverence. Putang ina. Paiiyakin tayo ng Bangtan. (Fuck, Bangtan will make us cry!)

Not because this is dramatic. But because this is true. This is what it looks like when artists return not as products, but as people. And when they call their listeners not fans, but kin. I am still gathering my wits. Really. I think I will be for a while. But I know this much: To be ARMY in this moment, to be called ARMYrang, is to stand inside a very old song to be held and to belong there. Apobangpo! Purple and true! 💜

A beautiful breakdown of Arirang & ARMYrang by user zarahgeeh— Filipino librarian, folklorist, writer & ARMY. Sharing this here for those not on Threads because this love, history, and meaning deserves to be heard. 💜

(🔗: www.threads.com/@zarahgeeh/p...)

HOME 💜

YouTube video by Bangtan Subs [ENG] 160811 [BANGTAN BOMB] Arirang arirang~Arariyo~~

[ENG] 160811 [BANGTAN BOMB] Arirang arirang~Arariyo~~
© bts-trans / bangtansubs
youtu.be/u2Tw8yCXAoM

BTS’ special message for ARMY on Apple Music.

#BTS
#ARIRANG

(Audio cr: mhereonlyforbts)

To me, 'love' is still a complicated word. Have I ever loved someone properly at least once. I've been holding on to that question for a long time There's only one thing that's certain. The fact that I still don't know. I've been stuck with a lot of things over the past year. It's gone after a while, I don't know how many people are leaving on the way In the meantime, I'm shaking, I'm in pain We've gone through a lot of mistakes. After that time It feels like I'm just standing looking at spring. This wait won't be the last, But I didn't stop and came all the way here. That's a relief. I have a lot of thoughts, I'll try to believe that I've grown up every time I'm going to fail and make mistakes again. In the process, I'll make someone sad He'll hurt himself, right? But I think I know now. I mean, trying to do a good job doesn't give you all the answers. I'm so excited to be back after a long time My heart is humbled. Even if you catch your breath and choose your horse, it's still rough and clumsy, I don't know why you talk a lot again. But I'm trying to tell you without hiding.

Still When good music is made, my heart beats, When I play with the members, I laugh like a child. And when I think of ARMY BOMB in the audience who will shine like a forest at night I feel like I'm about to cry. This energy and heart makes me and us 1 believe you brought me all the way here. Someone is watching Someone left Someone will worry, regret and blame, right? Nevertheless, in some form If you're waiting for us If that's your love I want to get back on my feet a few times. Even if you're stumbling! The way a person tries to love the world. a way of trying to live. If we're all one universe That might be all about the universe.

The way a person tries to love the world. a way of trying to live. If we're all one universe That might be all about the universe. That's how I feel Wait and wait. New Year's greetings are late. I mean, I'm going to go further now. Where the sun rises, where spring is heard.-And finally to where you are! It's a sentence of Rilke that's been in my mind for a long time I'm done with the mess. Love is still complicated, Nevertheless, 1 want to say it with a simple mind. I love you ! "Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final."

Namjoon on Weverse, 250116:

🔗 weverse.io/bts/artist/2...

[NOTICE] BTS The 5th Album Release and World Tour Announcement ‼️ The tour schedule will be announced separately on January 14 at 12 am.‼️ Pre-Order Opening Date: From 11 am, Friday, January 16, 2026 (KST) Release Date: 1 pm, Friday, March 20, 2026 (KST) 🔗 https://weverse.io/bts/notice/32916

[NOTICE] BTS The 5th Album Release and World Tour Announcement

‼️ The tour schedule will be announced separately on January 14 at 12 am.‼️

Pre-Order Opening Date: From 11 am, Friday, January 16, 2026 (KST)
Release Date: 1 pm, Friday, March 20, 2026 (KST)

🔗 weverse.io/bts/notice/3...

The steps of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts decorated with BTS cb logo and date

The steps of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts decorated with BTS cb logo and date

LOOK: The steps outside the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

BTS ringing in 2026 together, wishing each other and ARMY well! 💜🎉🥳🎊

#방탄소년단 #BTS #DailyBTS #DailyBangtan #BOTD #BangtanOfTheDay

Photo of BTS in the practice room. It's a mirror selfie taken by V in the center. Suga, RM, Jin, Jungkook are standing in the back. Jimin and J-hope are crouched in front.

Family 💜 😭

#bts #dailybts

BTS ot7 live 251216

BTS ot7 live 251216

oh how i love the chaos of hearing all 7 of their voices talking over each other

chibi illustration of bts OT7 mirror selfie

🏠💜 #btsfanart

I can't put into words how proud I am to be an ARMY today. What Yoongi created through the Min Yoongi Treatment Centre and MIND Band is nothing short of extraordinary. He used his platform and influence for such a great cause, and his close collaboration in the project shows just how important

Yoongi in white sweater holding a mic

"MIND BAND members, upon hearing the joyful and proud news that you will be standing on stage to perform, i'm sending this heartfelt message to you. First, there is something I want to say to our dear band members. Elementary school members Gosu, Yerim, Jihan, Doyun, and high school members Wonu and Sihan, how have you all been? This is Teacher Min speaking. Thank you for all the effort you have put into your practice until now. You may feel a little nervous when you step onto the stage, but when I remember the days we spent playing our instruments together, my heart feels at ease and full of trust in you. I have not yet had the chance to meet Sunyoon and Junsok in person, but I have heard how sincerely and wholeheartedly you have been practicing. When I picture MIND BAND enjoying the performance on stage with all your heart, I cannot help but feel excited and happy as well.

From now on, may you continue to broaden your wonderful dreams through music. Please know that your teacher will always be by your side, cheering you on with warmth and affection. For this performance, a band with whom I share a deep connection will be joining as a session band. Shinwon, the band master; Jinhun on drums; Yeonjun on bass; and Changhyun on keyboard — thank you from the bottom of my heart for kindly giving your precious time to be part of this concert. Warmest thanks are also extended to Dr. Cheon, Director Kang Hoon-chul, the hospital director, Director of External Cooperation Lee Sangil and all the teams who have offered such generous support, as well as everyone who devoted themselves to preparing for this performance.

From the heart, congratulations on MIND BAND's founding concert. May today's performance be the beautiful beginning of a journey where MIND BAND and all of you share your hearts through music, filling every step ahead with gentle courage and inspiring warmth. To everyone who has walked together on this meaningful journey, thank you deeply. It would bring great happiness if you would continue to watch over MIND BAND with loving support and warm applause, all the way along the path they will open. MIND BAND, fighting!!"

Yoongi’s Special Message for the children performing at the ShiningMINDs concert, screenshot and translation from hser sugatradamus on X.

(PS- The organizers asked not to record the actual performances.)

Graphite and ink painting of Kim Seokjin in profile at a piano with the vague impression of Kim Taehyung in the background

~JIN~

On the stage with the lights off [...]
Me, waiting for you, I'll be here in the background

(belated birthday art)

#btsfanart #jin

🥺💜

4/7 BTS members in the practice room with their choreographer

rkive on Instagram stories:

MiniMoni - Dynamite

Jhope signing his collection

Signed shirt

Signed cushion

Signed hoodie

j-hope and NIGO are auctioning six signed HUMAN HOPE pieces, with all net proceeds going to a charity chosen by j-hope. Global bidding runs until Dec 2 on JOOPITER, marking the retail debut of the collection and HUMAN MADE’s new Seoul store opening.

Sign in to bid: www.joopiter.com/auctions/hum...

251117 Teaser for Are You Sure?! season 2!!!

can't wait for more cooking, traveling, adventuring, laughs and inside jokes we don't understand🥰

#Jimin #Jungkook

Hobi and Nigo leaning back against the wall wearing their Human Hope collection

J-Hope just announced his collaboration with Nigo’s HUMAN MADE.

“I had the great opportunity to collaborate with Human Made, a brand I've genuinely loved for a long time. I started working on this project with Nigo san last year, and we finally created "HUMAN HOPE."++

[rkive] Instagram post

"An angel on earth"- Fans react as BTS' Suga named the 40th "Angel & Star" for fan-led sanitary pad donation project through TMA's charity initiative On November 6, 2025, BTS’ Suga earned the title of the 40th “Angel & Star” for his positive influence through Fan & Star’s October charity project.

Yoongi was named the 40th recipient of the "Angel & Star" title for fan-led sanitary pad donation charity project run by The Fact Music Awards (TMA).

can’t stop thinking about this Mary Oliver poem 🥹

250903 RM's Instagram Post with V, Jungkook & J-Hope's Comments

RM: At the end of last year, when I first heard from SFMOMA, the excitement still comes vividly to mind, as if I were sketching out countless ideas all over again. Since I began visiting museums in 2018, I’ve been learning and +

Photo of BTS standing in a line on stage at their Yet To Come concert in Busan. Left to right: V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin, and J-hope.

For the rest of my life ♡︎

#bts #dailybts

THE 250 GREATEST SONGS OF THE2 ST CENTURY BTS "Spring Day" Rolling Stone

“…its sense of resilience and hope wrought from loss has a transcendent feel, soon to be mirrored in the band’s global takeover.”

‘Spring Day’ made it to #37 of Rolling Stone’s 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century list!

🔗 : www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

Welcome b-cd.app

You can now sign up on the btschartdata site and get front-row access to Bangtan’s charts and analytics, perfect for tracking and curating your playlists ahead of their comeback next year!

Create your profile here:

b-cd.app

On the right of the poster is a photo of Jimin with blonde hair, wearing a black suit, looking off to the side with his arms folded. The rest of the poster has a light blue/teal background with flowers drawn at various points around the outside. Text elements include: the campaign hashtag Equity with Jimin, OIAA birthday campaign, RSKS India’s logo, a description of the campaign and websites for the charity (www.rsksindia.ngo) and OIAA. The campaign text reads: Rajasthan Samgrah Kalyan Sansthan (RSKS India) is a non-profit organization based in the Ajmer District of India. Founded in 1992, RSKS India’s mission is to bring sustainable development, equality, and positive change to the lives of marginalized and underprivileged communities in rural India. RSKS India aims to foster a society where gender equality is a reality, children can access quality education, and communities are resilient, thriving, and environmentally sustainable.

Let's celebrate Jimin’s bday! 🎂

Join our 7-day campaign #EquityWithJimin supporting @RSKSINDIA, a non-profit based in rural India who aims to create a society where gender equity is a reality by empowering women, girls and their communities 💜

Donate ➡️ bit.ly/EquityWithJimin

Heart on the Window ✨🪟 #jin_happy #btsfanart #seokjin #art #illustration