BTS recently appeared on Apple Music’s ‘The Zane Lowe Show,’ where they shared insights into their new album ‘ARIRANG’ and reflected on their enduring passion for music.
Exclusive Interview in Seoul
Zane Lowe, Apple Music’s global creative director, conducted the in-depth interview directly with BTS at their HYBE headquarters in Seoul. The discussion delved into their latest music activities, album production process, and the unique bond among members. They explored heartfelt stories behind the work and expressed profound gratitude for their fans.
Jin opened up about reuniting with the members, stating, “Meeting the members again and living together in the U.S. for a while made me realize that even if we’re apart for a long time, we can fill that time as family.” RM added, “That’s exactly right. Working in LA for about two months during album production felt like a huge turning point, but the time together was precious.”
Deep Dive into ‘ARIRANG’
The title track ‘Arirang’ captured significant attention. RM explained its essence: “‘Arirang’ is something that connects keywords from the past. It’s Korea’s traditional folk song that contains deep emotions and joy in the hearts of passersby. Through that vast time and space, the feelings for fans who have been with us since the beginning, and the sentiments from past comebacks, we revived them in the album.”
Zane Lowe praised the album’s musical integrity, noting, “This sound allows us to see your identity clearly and feel the essence. As Koreans, you show parts that are honest and bold.” He further elaborated, “Capturing those parts well and conveying them directly is the right answer for solo feedback.”
Reflections on Growth and Future
The members discussed their evolution while staying true to their music. Jin reflected, “The time to open up to something and reveal emotions is neither superior nor special; it’s just honest. As a new discovery through more empathy, connecting with the country and collaborating on comebacks shows that even in other major countries, we’ve conveyed that energy without changing the music.”
Zane Lowe highlighted the members’ unwavering passion, asking, “Do you still have the energy?” The response was emphatic: “If we want to, even in our 80s and 90s, we can perform.” Another member affirmed, “There’s no shortage of the greatest reasons to perform, so we don’t take breaks.”
RM emphasized their sincerity toward fans: “We still love this path so much. Fans exist here too, and there’s no other reason we can maintain this brand and value for so long. These people are my sincerity. So, I hate to lose this opportunity.” He expressed no anxiety about future comebacks, underscoring their commitment.
