Long Awaited Return: BTS Comeback

Daniela Amador, Staff • April 7, 2026

BTS is having their comeback!

The famous boy band BTS made a return to music on March 21, 2026 after an almost 4 year hiatus. Their comeback album “ARIRANG” gives fans 14 new songs to enjoy.

The anticipation for the album has now led to a division amongst fans regarding whether the album is good or not. Personally, I think these opinions come from a difference in what fans were expecting: nostalgia versus progression.

The new album has different vibes compared to previous albums, which I see as an evolution of the artists’ personal styles, while still incorporating the older sounds I love about their first albums.

The title of the album itself has significance as a Korean folk song with a wide array of variations of the song. Additionally, the song track “No. 29” is the sound of the sacred bell of King Seongdeok. The wordless track may feel out of place and even experimental, but the cultural significance is what makes it great. BTS has a significant influence on exposing the world to Korean music and culture, and “No. 29” feels like a love letter to give back to Korea, similarly to the bell being built as a testament of love and honor to King Seongdeok.

Overall, the album contains a blend of rap, hip-hop, pop, older music, and other alternative sounds. The amazing vocals bring the listener on a journey from jamming out to being emotional.

There is beauty in the change of how the hiatus has brought each member time to experiment with their own personal style and then combine those differences together. The merging of BTS’s individuality to create something unique makes the album stand out from previous works. The end result feels like a culmination of their efforts.

For people who are not really fans or familiar with K-pop, I would still recommend giving the album a listen, as it has songs that would appeal to people interested in different genres. It does not focus on a single sound but rather a variety of experiences and forms of expression.

If I had to describe the album in one word, I would say “love.” Even though the group has many songs and albums of self-love, “ARIRANG” feels like an expression of love in different ways: love to fans who have waited, love to Korea itself, love to who the members have become, and love to who BTS is outside of the spotlight.

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About the Contributors

Daniela Amador, Section Editor

Daniela Amador has been in journalism for four years. Her hobbies include reading, listening to music, and watching shows and movies. Some of her favorite movies are “The Lego Batman Movie” and the “Barbie” films. She loves collecting physical media and adding it into her collection. She is a card collector of Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and K-pop photocards. The clubs she is currently in at Canyon are DFY, MHS, Fashion Club, and she is the president of the STF Human Rights Club.

Celes Ashcroft, Staff Writer

Celes Ashcroft is one of many staff writers in The Pony Express. She is a sophomore going into her first year of the Journalism program. As she finds any reason to take photos, journalism gives her a chance to use those photos for others’ interest. Alongside photos, she loves being able to express her opinions and show the artistic side of the world whilst being able to bring enjoyment to those who read and see what she makes. Outside of school, she loves to spend her time watching shows and looking for inspiration.