BTS Releases New Album “ARIRANG” Featuring Collaboration with DJ Diplo

BTS has unveiled its new studio album “ARIRANG,” created in collaboration with American world-renowned DJ and producer Diplo. As their first full-length album release in 3 years and 9 months, it has drawn significant attention, amassing over 4 million pre-orders and generating massive buzz within the music industry.

According to American entertainment media outlet TMZ on the 8th (local time), Diplo described his partnership with BTS by saying, “I worked with BTS,” adding that it is “a crazy album that will surprise the world.” BTS is set to release “ARIRANG,” which consists of 14 tracks in total, on the 20th of next month. Specific details regarding the tracks featuring Diplo have not yet been disclosed.

Diplo expressed high praise for working with BTS. In an interview with TMZ at the 2026 Fanatics Super Bowl party in San Francisco, he stated, “I think this is the largest pre-order volume ever,” and praised BTS as “the best band in the world.” He added, “It’s a real fortune for me, someone who has been working for 30 years, to get to work with a group that is trusted so much,” noting that they are creating music at a “completely different level.”

Diplo was deeply impressed by BTS’s creativity and diligent studio work. He mentioned, “They are truly creative and fun,” and highlighted that Jung Kook’s voice is perfect even without auto-tune. He also praised them humorously by saying, “They are real adults who have served in the military and have experienced life,” adding that they dance better and smell better than most people. Furthermore, he expressed confidence by stating, “This will become the best project of my life.”

BTS will resume group activities for the first time in 3 years and 9 months since releasing their anthology album “Proof” in June 2022. This comeback has generated high expectations from fans and industry professionals. Ahead of its release, BTS is scheduled to hold a comeback celebration concert at Gwanghwamun in Seoul on the 21st of next month.

Diplo has a long history with the K-pop scene. Since collaborating with G-Dragon and T.O.P to produce “Knock Out” in 2010, he has worked on various projects with artists such as CL, Jennie, and BLACKPINK. More recently, he contributed to BLACKPINK’s comeback track “JUMP,” further solidifying his status as a K-pop legend. He also participated as part of Major Lazer on the track “Close to You” included in Jung Kook’s solo album “GOLDEN.”

Fans eagerly anticipating this collaboration believe that “ARIRANG” will become a masterpiece that breaks down the boundaries between K-pop and global music. Given Diplo’s confidence that it “will become the best project of my life,” the impact this album is expected to have on the music industry is highly noteworthy.