BTS: “We’re just hicks from Korea... If we’re going to change, this is our only chance” – documentary on making “Arirang”

According to Financial News, the members say things like, “I feel like we’ve come back to where we were always meant to return,” “Trends change, and we can’t keep doing the same thing forever,” “If we’re going to change, this is our only chance,” and “The fact that we’re still just hicks from Korea...”
These are some of the concerns that BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) voiced while working on their fifth full-length album “Arirang” (ARIRANG). A teaser for the documentary on the making of “Arirang” has now been released.
The trailer for the documentary film “BTS: The Return” (BTS: THE RETURN), posted on the group’s official social media accounts at 8 a.m. on the 17th, traces BTS’s past, present, and future. The footage weaves together scenes from their past world tour, their military discharge moments, and a songwriting session in Los Angeles where they work on new tracks.

As the members reveal a range of worries, they also say, “The fact that we’re still just hicks from Korea,” revisiting their identity and where they began. This directly ties into the main theme of the new album, which looks back on the group’s roots. Scenes of them enjoying an ordinary day are included as well, prompting curiosity about how the emotions of “BTS today” and the inspiration drawn from daily life have been woven into their music.
The trailer is especially moving because it uses the traditional Korean folk song “Arirang” as its background music. The melody of Arirang combines with narration such as “I feel like we’ve come back to where we were always meant to return” and “Maybe this is a scene only we could create,” heightening anticipation for a new chapter of BTS.
“BTS: The Return” will premiere on Netflix on the 27th. The film is directed by Bao Nguyen, who previously helmed the Netflix documentary “The Greatest Night in Pop,” which earned nominations for the 2025 Grammy Awards’ Grammy Award for Best Music Film and three categories at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-ah Reporter