The album ARIRANG will be released worldwide on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 1 pm KST (9:30 am IST). Physical album shipments will begin the same day and will be processed in the order of purchase across regions. The record features 14 tracks and follows BTS’ fourth studio album, Map of the Soul: 7, which was released in February 2020.
When to pre-order BTS’ album ARIRANG?
Pre-orders for ARIRANG opened on Friday, January 16, at 11 am KST (7:30 am IST). Fans can pre-order the album through online and offline music retailers globally. In India, the album is available via Weverse. Fans need to create a Weverse account and place their order through the Weverse Shop, which delivers directly to Indian addresses.
According to an official update shared by Big Hit Music on Weverse, ARIRANG will be released in multiple formats. These include standard physical editions, Weverse-exclusive versions, digital albums and several vinyl variants, catering to collectors and casual listeners alike.
[공지] BTS (방탄소년단) 정규 5집 ‘ARIRANG’ 예약 구매자 대상 BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN GOYANG SOUND CHECK 이벤트 안내 (+ENG/JPN/CHN)
🔗 https://t.co/0KxUCYJoa8#방탄소년단 #BTS #BTS_WORLDTOUR#BTS_WORLDTOUR_GOYANG
— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) January 16, 2026
What does ARIRANG mean?
The album’s title carries deep cultural meaning. Arirang is one of Korea’s most iconic folk songs, often associated with themes of homecoming, endurance and emotional resilience. UNESCO recognises Arirang as an important cultural tradition passed down orally over generations. The song, estimated to be over 600 years old, has thousands of variations and is often described as an unofficial national anthem of South Korea. BTS previously performed Arirang during their KCON France appearance in 2016.
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The long gap between BTS’ studio albums was driven by unavoidable factors. Mandatory military service kept members away between late 2022 and mid-2025, with the final discharge completed on June 21, 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted earlier promotional plans, including the cancellation of the Map of the Soul world tour. During this period, BTS focused on digital releases, solo projects and the anthology album Proof in 2022.
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Soon after completing military service, the members regrouped for a song camp in Los Angeles in July 2025. The sessions led to the creation of ARIRANG, a project shaped by both individual growth and collective reflection.
Adding to the excitement, BTS will kick off their 79-date world tour in Goyang on April 9, 2026.