Just days after the release of their triumphant return to music, ARIRANG, the members of BTS gathered inside the Rockstar Suite at Hard Rock Hotel New York to talk with Bru about the emotions surrounding their return, the lessons they learned while they were away, the making of their chart-topping album, and so much more.
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Starting with the lead single, “SWIM,” BTS unpacked their now-number one album, ARIRANG, saying that the track is one they connected with the most when recording in the states. “This was the track we connected with the most,” shares Jimin, “which is why we chose it as our lead single.
“What personally resonated with me was the idea that BTS is a team with room for continuous growth, one that keeps moving forward toward better music That message really stuck with me and felt just right for the lead single.”
“We felt like we have to come back with a big project,” RM reveals, when asked why the group went all out with a full album for their return. “With fresh new songs.”
Even when away from the spotlight, BTS would connect in the group chat about what the next chapter might look like, sending each other links of inspiration and ideas, according to V. The result is an album packed with collaboration and purpose, with each member quick to shout out a different track that they were most proud of.
There were a lot of emotions for both fans and the members of BTS during their time away, but the overwhelming lead of it all was imagining how it would feel to reunite with each other. “I think the first emotion or the first thought that came to mind was just curiosity about what it would be like when we get back together, and what kind of music would we do as a group?” shares j-hope. “So we just wanted to get back together as soon as possible and just get on to it.”
There were also moments of missing out along the way, wondering what would be if they were together.
“So I was the first one who got discharged from the group,” says Jin. “I went to the Paris Olympics for the torch relay. That's when Jimin's album was released when he was in the military, and I felt like it would've been really nice if Jimin got out to enjoy this and celebrate this together.”
It’s a rarity that a group the magnitude of BTS gets to experiment with solo projects as much as the members have, each bringing something new to the mix when it was time to come back. “I felt a lot of that while working on this album,” Jung Kook says. “Like j-hope mentioned earlier, that was why I have been looking forward to working together again as a group, because we couldn't be there to witness each other growing through all those experiences and time. So I was very much looking forward to this song session and then this project.”
“We just want to have a good time with the ARMY and the people that love us and listen to us,” RM reveals about the group’s legacy, something he says they have collectively discussed quite a bit.
“We just want to claim ourselves again, we started rooted in Korea, and now we're here.We're in New York, we're in Europe, we're everywhere, but still, we just wanna make it clear, we all born in Korea, started everything in Korea. We just wanted our new album and our sound from now on could be universal and eternal like the Korean traditional song.”
The group also took time to talk about what’s left on their bucket list, their Netflix special, and the role that fashion plays in the group. “Honestly, back when we first debuted, I don't think I had much room to think about things like matching the outfits to the music,” smiles j-hope. “But now it just goes shoulder to shoulder. Fashion inspires our music and I definitely think that fashion is a way to express our music in a better way.”
For much more from BTS, check out the full conversation above.
Bru sits down with BTS inside the Rockstar Suite at Hard Rock Hotel New York
Bru sits down with BTS inside the Rockstar Suite at Hard Rock Hotel New York
