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BTS Is Officially Back! Iconic K-Pop Band Returns With Full-English Song 'SWIM' After 4 Years – Watch Music Video

6 articles | Updated 1h ago | Created 2h ago
Seoul, South Korea MUSIC
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On March 20 in Seoul and globally at midnight local time (KST), South Korean pop group BTS returned after a four-to-three year absence by releasing their fifth studio album *ARIRANG* alongside an English-language track titled "SWIM." The band's comeback, which follows nearly two years of military service for members Kim Namjoon ("RM") and Jin Seok-jun (Jin), has generated massive anticipation with the music video garnering over 13 million views in its first hour on YouTube.

Key Points

  1. 1
    K-Pop band BTS is back after nearly four years of solo projects and military service, releasing a full English-language song titled 'SWIM'.
  2. 2
    The group dropped their fifth studio album ARIRANG on March 20th at midnight.
  3. 3
    "BTS" has officially ended its three-year hiatus with the release of new music.

Developments

[Mar 17, ?] The pop community is locked-in for BTS's return after a period described as nearly four years or alternatively ending their 'three-year' hiatus in the context of solo projects and military service.
(No specific date provided) BTS released ARIRANG, featuring production from unspecified collaborators mentioned across sources. The 14-track collection dropped at midnight on March 20th according to one source; another mentions a 'three-year' hiatus ending.
BTS Comeback Full Member, MV Swim Langsung Trending Global!
Mediaindonesia Gana Buana 2h ago
BTS, 20일 신보 공개…신곡 ‘스윔’ 공개 13분만에 300만 조회 돌파
Segye 2h ago
BTS Is Officially Back! Iconic K-Pop Band Returns With Full-English Song 'SWIM' After 4 Years – Watch Music Video
Prod-qt-images.s3.amazonaws.com Aanchal Chaudhary 2h ago

On March 20, 2026, officially announced by HYBE after nearly four years of hiatus and military service for BTS members RM through Jungkook. The group released their fifth studio album *ARIRANG* featuring the English-language title track "SWIM," accompanied by a music video shot in Lisbon that uses ocean imagery as metaphorical commentary on resilience during one of K-pop's longest breaks from activity since 2019, and which draws upon Korean cultural symbolism.

‘광화문 컴백’ BTS ‘스윔’ 뮤비 공개…1시간에 500만 넘었다
Rss.donga.com 2h ago
BTS Sets Sail In ‘SWIM’ Music Video: Watch
Billboard Lars Brandle 2h ago

BTS has released their new album ARIRANG after a six-year hiatus caused by members fulfilling mandatory military service in South Korea. The group is promoting this debut with an official "Swim" music video, upcoming performances at Gwanghwamun Square and NBC's Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 25–26, following their last joint appearance as of October 2023 due to enlistments starting shortly after the World Expo bid.