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| BTS / Photo courtesy of BigHit Music |
HYBE’s music-group label BigHit Music unveiled the animation conveying the message behind the new record, Arirang (ARIRANG), at 11 a.m. on the 13th via BTS’s official social media channels.
The film opens in 1896, with seven young men gathered around a phonograph. When the device’s crank is turned, the Korean folk tune \"Arirang\" begins to play, immediately drawing viewers in. The sequence follows the group as they cross the Pacific on a large ship, record the song in a foreign land and share it with the locals. The story then shifts to the present day, revealing BTS onstage. Under waves of purple light, the members deliver a high-energy performance to a cheering crowd. The animation closes with BTS standing proudly in front of Gwanghwamun, underscoring their role in offering hope and comfort through music.
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The animation was inspired by historical records indicating that \"Arirang\" was first recorded in Washington, D.C., in 1896. Using that moment as its motif, the film spotlights BTS’s ongoing efforts to introduce Korean culture to the world. BigHit Music said it wanted to share the story behind \"Arirang\" with listeners who may be unfamiliar with the song, and hopes many will look up the lyrics and connect with the distinctly Korean sentiment woven into the melody.
Alongside the animation, BTS released the first group photo from the Arirang album. Dressed in suits that echo the seven figures from the film, the members projected a refined, polished image.
Meanwhile, BTS will release their fifth full-length album, Arirang, at 1 p.m. on March 20. Chairman Bang Si-hyuk served as executive producer, and the 14-track record is intended to capture \"the current BTS.\" On March 21, the day after the album drops, they will stage BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG across Gwanghwamun Plaza, with Netflix streaming the performance globally.
[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong ent@stoo.com]
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