By Mackenzie Schmidt, People | The K-pop superstars released ‘BTS: THE RETURN’ on Netflix on March 27, documenting the creation of their comeback album ‘ARIRANG’ in L.A. and Seoul BTS is sharing their bts!
The new Netflix documentary, BTS: THE RETURN (now streaming), goes behind the scenes of the K-pop superstars’ process making their long-awaited comeback album ARIRANG.
After a nearly four-year hiatus, during which the group’s seven members — RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook— completed South Korea’s mandatory military service, they reunited to create an album that sent them on a journey to rediscover their roots and figure out who they want to be in their next chapter.
The film spans nearly eight months, from their time living and working together in Los Angeles to record the record in the summer of 2025, to preparing for their comeback in Seoul in early 2026. It captures the members’ highs and lows: bursts of creativity, moments of stagnation, questioning what they’ve created and eventually, buzzing with the anticipation of performing for their fans, known as ARMY, once again.
While so much of BTS: THE RETURN fits the vibe of what fans have grown to expect watching the K-pop superstars make their art in the public eye over the last nearly 13 years, a few moments may surprise even day-one ARMYs.
Here are the five biggest bombshells dropped in the BTS doc.
“SWIM” being the title track divided the group
Creative differences are a given in a band with seven people, even after over a decade together. But it’s fascinating to see how the members’ feelings evolve about the low-key pop track “SWIM” potentially being fans’ first introduction to their new era.
“The song’s a bit mellow so it’s already a big departure from our usual style,” says their leader, RM, in one scene. “But even so, now is the time to take that risk.”
Later, after it’s been decided as the lead track, RM still laments that it “feels a bit low energy.” Jung Kook agrees: “The whole track feels that way.” V adds, “This is the opposite direction of what people expect from us,” though it’s unclear if he thinks that’s a good or bad thing. J-hope even admits, “I’d hesitate a bit before playing this for someone.”
“I’m into this,” SUGA interjects. Jimin weighs in: “It’s not that I don’t like the song. It’s a good track. I’m a little afraid. No, very afraid…” before SUGA points out that they felt the same way before releasing their record breaking #1 single “Dynamite” in 2020. “We weren’t sure about ‘Dynamite’ either,” he says, and the members agree.
“It’s a cool, mature song for sure. Unlike anything we’ve done before,” says RM. “It’s time we give off a grown-up vibe.”
In the end, of course, “SWIM” was the first single off ARIRANG and its currently #1 globally on Spotify.
The idea to title the album ARIRANG didn’t originate with the members of the band
In one scene, HYBE CEO Si-Hyuk Bang and Boyoung Lee, the executive creative director of BTS’ record label Big Hit, are visiting L.A. and Lee introduces the idea for the album title, ARIRANG.
Armed with poster boards of images and sticky notes, she recounts the true story of seven young Korean men who traveled to the U.S. in 1896 and made the first recording of the traditional tune called “Arirang.” They were trailblazers sharing their culture with the world in a narrative that echoes BTS’ own legacy, she explains.
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Go here to read the full article and about the documentary:
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/music/articles/5-biggest-bombshells-bts-netflix-101500316.html
Read the original article on People
https://people.com/bombshells-from-bts-the-return-netflix-11933755
BTS: THE RETURN is streaming now on Netflix.
