BTS member J-Hope expressed significant anxiety about the group’s extended military hiatus.
The special broadcast ‘BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG’ aired simultaneously worldwide on Netflix on the evening of the 21st.
After performing ‘Aliens’ and ‘FYA’ from their album ‘ARIRANG,’ BTS members picked up their microphones again.
Energized by the fervent stage, Jungkook remarked, “It’s fun, isn’t it? Are you enjoying it? Performing these new songs for the first time today is nerve-wracking yet exciting and feels fresh. It’s been so long that it’s thrilling.”
Jin commented, “It’s been so long, it feels exciting. Before going on stage, I told myself, ‘I’m nervous backstage, but once I’m up there, I’ll be performing like it’s the ‘Mic Drop’ stage,’ and it passed in an instant. The atmosphere is fantastic, and everyone’s enjoyment of the new songs energizes me too.”
J-Hope stated, “The atmosphere remains exciting,” and added, “This album features a truly diverse range of songs. Among them are many of our concerns. While preparing for this album, I couldn’t help but worry if we might be forgotten or if fans would still remember us.”
Suga shared, “During our hiatus, we contemplated what we must protect and what should change. While we felt unsure and anxious, we believe these emotions are intrinsically part of who we are.”
RM confessed, “At this turning point, I deeply considered what choices to make and what kind of artist I wanted to remain. Ultimately, I listened closely to my inner voice and openly included my concerns, anxieties, and wanderings. This seemed to be the objective we aimed to capture in the BTS album.”
Jimin commented, “We are not special people,” adding, “We face fear every time, just as you do, but we believe that if we keep striving, we will eventually find the answer.”
V added, “All we can do is continue making music and performing, presenting our best selves to our ARMYs step by step. I hope this provides comfort and strength,” before performing the title track ‘SWIM’.
Meanwhile, BTS delivered their first full-group performance in approximately three years and five months since ‘Yet to Come in BUSAN’ in October 2022. They unveiled new performances from their fifth album, ‘ARIRANG,’ including the title track ‘SWIM’.
