From the “SWIM” MV to the lyrics, some fans aren’t impressed.
Koreaboo
2 minutes ago
BTS’s new ARIRANG album has sparked a wide range of reactions since its release, with fans sharing both praise and criticism. While some are enjoying the new direction, others feel certain aspects of the album didn’t quite live up to expectations.
BTS | HYBE
Here are 5 reasons why:
1. The Line Distribution
Many fans have raised concerns about how lines are distributed across the members. Some feel certain members receive significantly more lines or screen time than others, leading to discussions about fairness and balance within the group.
BTS’s Line Distribution For “ARIRANG” Incites Major Fury
2. The “SWIM” Music Video
The music video for “SWIM” has received mixed reactions. Some fans were disappointed with the overall concept and execution, saying it didn’t fully meet expectations for a BTS comeback visual. Others weren’t happy with how much screen time the “main character” actress had, since it took away from how much BTS appeared onscreen.
how you have a comeback after 4 years and not even show some of the members for even 10 seconds, the whole mv was just that girl i didn’t even see bts😭 https://t.co/Tn497yhzHY
— i-dle⁶* Mono (@idleis6) March 20, 2026
7 Korean men pining for a white woman’s attention
that’s just hybe in a nutshell
pic.twitter.com/dcKdzAAgtg
— soy – rest in peace newjeans (@soyamoyas) March 20, 2026
Swim is the most nothing burger song ever. It’s not bad. Worse, it’s boring
Title tracks are supposed to center an album’s concept but it told me NOTHING about “Arirang”
Imagine coming back after all those years and your tt is boring white boy music about some random girl. https://t.co/I77VNP1Ymy
— 🎀Pink🌸Pepper🎀 (@0pink0pepper0) March 20, 2026
3. The Lyrics
Criticism has also been directed at the lyrical content of some tracks. A portion of listeners feel that the lyrics lack the depth, storytelling, or emotional impact that BTS is known for, making some songs feel less memorable.
they needed 12 people to write these lyrics pic.twitter.com/tLs7JxIkdz
— soy – rest in peace newjeans (@soyamoyas) March 20, 2026
nearly every song on arirang got one member saying they didn’t like it or didn’t want it on the album and im just like?? yall didnt get it on first listen??? imagine how many bangers of the 100+ demos they removed im cryinglksjlf
— ree⁷ (@jkyoongs) March 20, 2026
If they worked on 100 songs and these were the best ones, imagine how bad the rest were
— ًًً (@lethimjk) March 20, 2026
Netizens also felt that the English lyrics were a letdown because ARIRANG was intended to be BTS’s return to their roots.
BTS said Arirang was a return to their roots and being unashamedly Korean while playing for a worldwide audience yet 90% of the lyrics are english and the lyrical contents of most songs are so vapid. What a let down.
— teorrainn 🇵🇸 (@teorrainn317) March 20, 2026
BREAKING NEWS
Despite leeching on the name of “Korean heritage album” for locals to give to f on them, title track SWIM along with many of the track are 0% in korean with full English Lyrics.
The songs have no meaning, and goes c0rny paragraph after paragraph. pic.twitter.com/1kHmkbCv0o
— ARIRANG LEAKS (@War__monitor_) March 20, 2026
4. The Production Quality
Some fans believe the album’s production doesn’t fully showcase the group’s vocal strengths. Complaints include overly processed vocals, heavy effects, or a mix that makes it harder to appreciate individual members’ tones.
And the last… this is genuinely the worst shit I’ve heard in my life. From the production to the lyrics to the vocals, everything is a chop. I’m actually struggling to find one good thing to say about it. https://t.co/bT2ISg3Ost
— Folk ⸆⸉ Swift Charts (@SwiftyRuza) March 20, 2026
They should have named the album autotune
— #진’ S NECK 🤤 (@may_tina98428) March 20, 2026
the autotune was crazy couldnt even tell who is singing each song
— tess (@randomjkstan) March 20, 2026
5. No Unique Sound
Another common criticism is that the album doesn’t stand out sonically. Some listeners feel the tracks sound similar to existing pop trends rather than offering a distinctive or innovative BTS signature sound.
as a bts fan of 10 years, this new album is not hitting. i’m sorry, but arirang is mid!!! all the songs sounded the same, the only good song was FYA
maybe I’ll change my mind when I read the lyrics but this is not living up to the expectations I had. am I alone on this?
— mads「🌙」 (@jinsoul_fan) March 20, 2026
i might get hate for this but im quite disappointed… 🫤 i had high expectations for arirang, but this is not it. it just sounds so similar… like it’s been copied from somewhere? it might sound so wrong but it sounds like album of the year.
— sophie⁷ ⊙⊝⊜ (@koosnyc) March 20, 2026
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