The K-pop superstars released 'BTS: THE RETURN' on Netflix on March 27, documenting the creation of their comeback album 'ARIRANG' in L.A. and Seoul
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Key Takeaways
- BTS: THE RETURN follows the group’s journey to create their comeback album ARIRANG after a four-year hiatus
- The documentary highlights the members’ creative process, personal growth, and emotional reconnection with their roots
- Fans get a glimpse of BTS’s bond as they navigate challenges and prepare to reunite with ARMY worldwide
BTS is sharing their bts!
The new Netflix documentary, BTS: THE RETURN (now streaming), goes behind the scenes of the K-pop superstars' process making their long-awaited comeback album ARIRANG.
After a nearly four-year hiatus, during which the group's seven members — RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook— completed South Korea's mandatory military service, they reunited to create an album that sent them on a journey to rediscover their roots and figure out who they want to be in their next chapter.
The film spans nearly eight months, from their time living and working together in Los Angeles to record the record in the summer of 2025, to preparing for their comeback in Seoul in early 2026. It captures the members' highs and lows: bursts of creativity, moments of stagnation, questioning what they've created and eventually, buzzing with the anticipation of performing for their fans, known as ARMY, once again.
While so much of BTS: THE RETURN fits the vibe of what fans have grown to expect watching the K-pop superstars make their art in the public eye over the last nearly 13 years, a few moments may surprise even day-one ARMYs.
Here are the five biggest bombshells dropped in the BTS doc.
"SWIM" being the title track divided the group
Creative differences are a given in a band with seven people, even after over a decade together. But it's fascinating to see how the members' feelings evolve about the low-key pop track "SWIM" potentially being fans' first introduction to their new era.
"The song's a bit mellow so it's already a big departure from our usual style," says their leader, RM, in one scene. "But even so, now is the time to take that risk."
Later, after it's been decided as the lead track, RM still laments that it "feels a bit low energy." Jung Kook agrees: "The whole track feels that way." V adds, "This is the opposite direction of what people expect from us," though it's unclear if he thinks that's a good or bad thing. J-hope even admits, "I'd hesitate a bit before playing this for someone."
"I'm into this," SUGA interjects. Jimin weighs in: "It's not that I don't like the song. It's a good track. I'm a little afraid. No, very afraid..." before SUGA points out that they felt the same way before releasing their record breaking #1 single "Dynamite" in 2020. "We weren't sure about 'Dynamite' either," he says, and the members agree.
"It's a cool, mature song for sure. Unlike anything we've done before," says RM. "It's time we give off a grown-up vibe."
In the end, of course, "SWIM" was the first single off ARIRANG and its currently #1 globally on Spotify.
The idea to title the album ARIRANG didn't originate with the members of the band
In one scene, HYBE CEO Si-Hyuk Bang and Boyoung Lee, the executive creative director of BTS' record label Big Hit, are visiting L.A. and Lee introduces the idea for the album title, ARIRANG.
Armed with poster boards of images and sticky notes, she recounts the true story of seven young Korean men who traveled to the U.S. in 1896 and made the first recording of the traditional tune called "Arirang." They were trailblazers sharing their culture with the world in a narrative that echoes BTS' own legacy, she explains.
The story immediately resonates with the guys. "I like it. Awesome reference," RM, says. But in that moment and throughout the rest of the documentary they struggle with whether they can carry forward a concept with so much importance already attached to it — and if invoking something so traditional will be jarring for their fan base, both in Korea and internationally.
HYBE's founder stepped in on one major decision
The choice to include the original 19th century recording of "Arirang" in the album's opening track, "Body to Body," and in what form, was far from clear cut.
In one scene, j-hope, Jimin and V listen to how one of their producers has incorporated it into the song and have an overwhelmingly positive reaction, with j-hope jumping up and dancing along. "I got goosebumps," he says, and Jimin agrees.
Moments later, RM and SUGA have a near opposite response, stone-faced and uncertain as they listen to the cut. "The song feels like three different things mixed in it," RM says.
Back in Seoul, in a board room with Bang, whom the members have worked with since they were teenagers and Big Hit was a tiny label teetering on the edge of going broke, the chairman expresses his thoughts and lets the members speak their mind.
"Imagine performing in front of 60,000 or 70,000 people. Imagine most of them are foreigners, singing along to the chorus of 'Arirang.' That moment will be incredibly iconic," says Bang. "Ultimately, it’s your decision, but it felt important enough to bring it up, because I feel that you’re about to throw away something huge."
The song ends up making a significant appearance on the album, and the members seem to have made their peace with its presence. Since the album's release, videos have gone viral on social media of Koreans having an emotional reaction to the song's surprise appearance, and creators are making content about its history for international fans to understand its meaning more deeply.
There are cameos from several other huge korean stars
Toward the end of the doc, viewers spend time with each of the BTS members in their personal lives away from the studio. Jung Kook plays with his dog Bam outside, Jimin makes dinner in his apartment, Jin gets on the tennis court, etc. But for V's personal segment he goes to dinner with some friends... some very famous friends.
Parasite star Woo Shik Choi, The Marvels' Seo Jun Park, actor Hyung Sik Park and musician and producer Peakboy all gather to catch up over a private dinner and toast V. Several of the friends, who call themselves the Wooga Squad, appeared in the K-drama Hwarang together.
Though they don't get major screen time, several of the big-name international producers BTS worked with on the album also pop up throughout the doc for eagle-eyed viewers.
and one thing that's not surprising at all... BTS loves BTS
Amid the typical creative woes and existential questions that accompany such a massive moment for the group, the documentary captures so many instances that prove something fans already know well: BTS are a family.
As they're about to leave L.A. and go back to Seoul, back to their individual apartments instead of a shared house, they admit they're sad for their time there to end. "Should we all live together again?" Jung Kook jokes. "Wouldn't you do it again some time? I would," adds Jimin. They all laugh at the prospect before Jung Kook adds, "I'm really gonna miss this place."
The tenderness between the members as they lift one another up in hard times and give each other grace to goof around and relax during such a stressful project are the heart of the film. Aside from the buzzing anticipation of the comeback with which the documentary concludes, viewers are sure to walk away with another assurance: BTS loves BTS.
BTS: THE RETURN is streaming now on Netflix.
Read the original article on People
