"Excited, Nervous, and Deeply Moved"—BTS Opens a New Chapter [Q&A]

 Original article: Newsen

Q: How do you feel about making a comeback after 3 years and 9 months? 

☉ Group: We feel excited and nervous, but above all, deeply emotional. Just being able to gather again as seven and do something together makes us happy and grateful. Since ARMYs have waited for so long, we prepares thoroughly and came back well. Being able to show you a good side of us again is incredibly moving and joyful. Since it's a group album after a long time, we were very excited, but also a bit scared. Still, with the members and ARMY by our side, we're not too worried. 

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Q: What message do you most want to convey through this album? 

☉ Suga: We thought a lot about what truly represents us. Rather than something grand, we focused on "us" itself. 

☉ Jimin: We wanted to talk about continuing to move forward. There's always pressure to show something new and better, along with many concerns. Even so, we wanted to express our determination to keep swimming forward without stopping. 

☉ Jungkook: I hope people see this as the most "BTS-like" album, fully capturing each member's time and individuality. 

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Q: How did you decide on incorporating "Korean elements" into the album? 

☉ RM: We threw around many ideas freely at first. During a songwriting session, we even made a song based on Taekwondo. It didn't make the album, but I personally liked it. Korean elements are an important keyword that connects the seven of us—it relates to where we started; our roots. What defines "Korean-ness" is still evolving, and it would be interesting if we could be part of that flow. 

☉ Jin/Suga: The album logo started from Jungkook's idea. As members contributed in various ways, the concept took shape. Since all of us are Korean, we also felt it would be natural to incorporate Korean elements. 

☉ J-Hope: We infused Korean spirit and culture into the lyrics as well. We tried to create more points where all seven members could come together. Showing ourselves as we are ultimately means starting from our roots—and those shared roots made who we are today. 

☉ V: Everyone contributed a lot of ideas and worked hard to reflect their individuality. I think ARMYs will have fun discovering those elements one by one. 

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Q: What standards did you set when expressing "Korean elements"? 

☉ RM: Rather than using them in a fixed or traditional way, we wanted to reinterpret them naturally in our own style. When combined with subtle variation and our own interpretation, the emotions can resonate more widely. We wanted to approach "Arirang" in a slightly different and fresh way. 

☉ Jin/Suga: Instead of forcing Korean elements, we focused on blending then naturally in our way. We tried to balance preserving Korean sentiment while clearly maintaining BTS's identity. 

☉ J-Hope: Balance and restraint are important, but at key moments, being bold can be even more impactful. We aimed for a standard of "not excessive, but clearly defined when necessary."

☉ Jimin: We reflected on what defines our identity and how we express ourselves through music and performance. Since all members are Korean, that background became an important point. Choosing "Arirang" as the album title also came with a sense of responsibility. 

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Q: Why was "Swim" chosen as the title track? 

☉ RM: Since it's the title track, we thought about it the longest. We tried for a month to create something better than "Swim," but it wasn't easy. When I first heard it, it felt simple yet deeply appealing—like Pyeongyang naengmyeon. The more I listened, the more I wanted to "swim along" with it. 

☉ Jin: It's not a song that immediately grabs you, but the more you listen, the more unforgettable it becomes. The rhythm point in the middle especially stuck with me. 

☉ J-Hope: We focused on creating a performance where the song is still clearly heard. There are details like wave-like movements and moments that feel like diving underwater. At first, we worried it might feel plain, but over time it becomes comfortable and immersive. It matched our message best. 

☉ V: Among stronger-sounding tracks, "Swim" felt the most minimal and clean. At first it didn't seem striking, but the more I listened, the more lasting it felt. 

☉ Jungkook: The more you listen, the more it feels like "this is the one." The lyrics reflect who BTS is today, and the performance has new elements, so I hope people pay attention to that. 

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Q: How do you hope "Swim" will be remembered? 

☉ Group: Like life itself. A song for everyone—moving forward day by day, breathing in and out, and continuing to swim. It's a warm song that we hope becomes a source of strength in people's lives. Just like "Arirang" had been passed down for generations, we hope "Swim" will remain in people's hearts for a long time. 

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Q: What new challenges did you try in this album? 

☉ Group: The album is structurally solid as a whole. We focused on expanding genres, sounds, and vocal expression. Even unfamiliar genres were explored, along with new ways of expression. Tracks like "FYA" highlight rough, high-energy sounds, while "Like Animals" and "Merry Go Round" experiment with psychedelic textures. We also adjusted recording styles to sound more relaxed and natural. It may not be perfect, but we're satisfied because we are still evolving and moving forward. 

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Q: Behind-the-scenes of the Los Angeles songwriting sessions? 

☉ Suga: We lived together and worked on music. We ate and talked to get her every day, and spent our free time in our own ways. We often reminisced about our rookie days. 

☉ J-Hope: Some days went smoothly, others didn't. On tougher days, we comforted each other and took care of ourselves. The whole process felt new. 

☉ Jimin: Right after debut, we once said we wanted to create an album to get her someday. Doing this as seven made it meaningful. 

☉ V: I heard a theme on my way back from working out, got inspired instantly, and sang it. That became the last track, "Into the Sun."

☉ Jungkook: With over 100 demo songs, listening to them together was memorable. It was fun and meaningful. 

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Q: What does "BTS 2.0" mean to you? 

☉ RM: It's hard to define, but I think if it as "balance" —being seven again while also moving forward and changing. 

☉ Jin: Becoming more mature and growing in every aspect. 

☉ Suga: A new beginning. 

☉ J-Hope: Growth as an artist—expressing ourselves freely and showing maturity. 

☉ Jimin: Continuing to grow and strive, even if the way we express ourselves changes. 

☉ V: A story of growth and new beginnings shaped by time and experience. 

☉ Jungkook: Simply something new—a new direction and mindset. 

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Q: What is one thing that hasn't changed? 

☉ RM: I like myself the most when I'm with the members—like childlike side. 

☉ Jin: If anything, we've grown closer. 

☉ Suga/V: Our passion for the stage hasn't changed. 

☉ Jimin: No matter the challenges, we'll keep moving forward like "Swim."

☉ Jungkook/J-Hope: Our live for ARMY will never change. 

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Q: A message to ARMY? 

☉ Group: Thank you sincerely for waiting so long. We missed you so much, and being together again as seven is incredibly precious. We'll meet you through music, performances, a world tour, and more. Please enjoy it comfortably—are you ready to have fun with us? We've prepared many stages beyond the album, so let's enjoy them together. We love you.