Why BTS's ARIRANG is a Musical Masterpiece

Added: 2026-05-06

[00:00:00]So in the Aidang album, the first half of the album is full of flashy exploded energy pulled out through collaborations with these global masters. At the center of the massive energy lies the strong root of the hip-hop sound from their days as Pangan when they used to spit row energy before becoming global pop icons. At the peak of mainstream pop, where people usually just show off power and flex, they present their skills and original roots in the most maximalist way. But in track six, number 29, the moment the quiet and deep beat of the divine bell of King Hung, Korean National Treasure number 29, rings out, the atmosphere flips 180° within the seemingly perfect symmetrical structure. An intentionally designed micro asymmetry causes frequency interference. Like a giant taking deep breath, the sound grows louder and softer every 3 seconds, creating a mystical and endless resonance. That magnificant sound crossing a thousands years of time has the power to purify the listener's soul. And right from this point, the sound's narrative shifting sharply from filling to emptying, from proving to contemplating.

[00:01:31]The sound of this divine bell acts as the spiritual spine of the album and a massive sound gate connecting the past and the present, the east and the west.

[00:01:44]Entering the second half, the sound becomes much lighter and more transparent. It gets warmer, too, like the magnificent winding waves spreading calmly over the water. Track seven, the title song Swim is placed perfectly within the true Korean aesthetic of empty space creating by the bell's resonance. It perfectly captures the relaxed attitude of BTS who have let go of all pressure and surrendered to the waves. If the first half was the cry of a warrior who fought fiercely, the second half are the songs of peace and pride they have finally reached. Without a single track to throw away, this tightly open track list is the total sum of the musical depth BTS has built up exploring this world for over 10 years.