BTS gave us so much to analyse and take in with the release of ARIRANG

Like all ARMYs around the world, my weekend was all BTS. I listened to the album nonstop and of course I was up early on Saturday morning to watch the comeback concert in Seoul live on Netflix. And I’ve also replayed it several times since they’ve edited to improve on the subtitles and include better shots of the band instead of, um, the buildings and the streets. (Seriously, some of the fancams are actually better than the actual show – noteworthy because award-winning director, Hamish Hamilton, presided over the broadcast).

It all comes back to the music though and after sharing my initial thoughts on the album on Friday, it only got better for me on subsequent listens and watching so many of the tracks performed live. They’ve been away for four years (as a group) and RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook actually sound stronger than they ever have. The rapline is as charismatic as ever, the vocal line is hitting every note, the choreo snaps – I just wish we could see more of it.

We could have spent the entire day recapping all the conversations that have happened since the album drop on Friday and the concert on Saturday. Like the fact that the fans left the area spotless, making sure to clean up when the event concluded.

Or the members and the staff dressing in matching team jackets when they left Seoul for New York City the next day, presenting themselves like a swim team on the way to a meet. “Swim” of course is the title of the new lead single.

They were papped in New York out for dinner yesterday ahead of their Spotify event today, during which they will perform 1000 fans at an exclusive gathering before more promotional duties, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon later this week. BTS is appearing on the show on back-to-back days so there will no doubt be filming for edited pieces to air on their episodes, in addition of course to performance(s).

So today’s what else is all BTS – because there’s so much to analyse, so much to take in. I’ve heard from baby ARMY over the last couple of weeks who are experiencing their first comeback and they’re like… OMG there’s so much, it’s taking over my whole life. Yes. This is exactly what happens. And it’s not stopping any time soon.

The documentary is coming to Netflix on Friday. The tour starts in less than a month. There will undoubtedly be at least another music video. We were starving for years – and now it’s not stop feasting!

Here’s a great piece by Jiye Kim meditating on just how Korean BTS has to be to be “Korean enough”. (Teen Vogue)

It’s worth noting that BTS’s wardrobe was fully Korean during the live show on Netflix. WWD has an exclusive about their fashion that night – it was so hard to focus because I was trying to note everything about their fits. The fits were so f-cking good. Designer Jay Songzio shares the process of creating all those looks and making them unique to each member. (WWD)

In her essay about BTS, Crystal Bell discusses BTS’s current relationship with the internet. It was essential to their rise, but as she puts it, the band is now “negotiating” with the internet as they enter their new era, and these complicated reflections are all over the new album. (Mashable)

So far, the reviews from western media outlets have been mostly positive. NYT music critic, Jon Caramanica, calls ARIRANG “borderline experimental”, “odd and satisfying art”. Basically, they didn’t do what would have been safe. (NY Times)

As for what their goals are – they aren’t talking about awards but other people are. A Grammy has eluded BTS so far and it’ll be interesting to see how the Recording Academy responds to this record. There is no doubt that BTS will submit for consideration. (Korea Times)