BTS stuns fans with Arirang album launch at NYC's Spotify event
BTS Celebrates New Album Arirang at Exclusive Spotify Event in New York—We Went Backstage
It's a fantastic week to be part of the BTS ARMY. Just days after the K-pop supergroup took over Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square—performing highlights from their new album Arirang alongside past hits like Butter and Dynamite in a globally streamed Netflix special—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook touched down on the U.S. East Coast. On Monday night, they joined some of their biggest American fans for Spotify x BTS: SWIMSIDE, an intimate celebration in Manhattan.
Not even the rainy spring weather could keep devotees from flocking to Pier 17 to honor their favorite band. Some had been waiting since the early morning hours—others for days—just to catch another glimpse of their beloved Bangtan Boys. Undeterred by rain or exhaustion, a few proudly held up "We Stayed" signs, a testament to the ARMY's unwavering dedication.
The SWIMSIDE event marked the highly anticipated release of Arirang, BTS's fifth studio album, which has already shattered global records in its first week. In an interview with GQ months earlier, the group hinted at the album's inspiration and stylistic range. "All I'll say is this: it'll be very different from anything we've done before. This time, you'll see a more mature side of BTS," Suga had promised—and he wasn't wrong. A glance at the reviews confirms the band delivered exactly what they pledged.
For this special occasion, Spotify transformed Pier 17 into an ARMY wonderland: towering black-and-white portraits of the members greeted fans at the entrance, while LED screens stretched up to the venue's rooftop, echoing the water theme of the lead single Swim. Food stalls served snacks branded with the Arirang logo alongside Spotify's emblem, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The evening kicked off with a Q&A session hosted by actress and musician Suki Waterhouse, whose effortless charm and deep knowledge of BTS earned her instant credibility with the crowd. At one point, she even called out, "Borahae, ARMY!"—a phrase coined by V to symbolize the trust and loyalty between the band and their fans.
As the session wound down, the group was asked if they had a message for ARMYs worldwide. "The most important thing is: we're here," RM said with a wide smile. "And second: we're here together. To me, that's everything."
The real highlight of the night, of course, was BTS's performance. As the stage was set, Hooligan—a track from Arirang—blasted through the speakers, and fans sang along passionately: "Watch this, watch this, hooligan," as if it were a stadium anthem they'd known their whole lives. (The album had only dropped on March 20.)
Moments later, the group returned for an electrifying set, performing Arirang tracks like 2.0, NORMAL, and the lead single SWIM with flawless harmony and razor-sharp choreography. After whipping the crowd into a frenzy, they finally bid farewell to their fans.
Their devotion did not go unnoticed. Before leaving the stage, J-Hope offered a parting message: "Rest well, rest well. Thank you."
