On January 20, BTS made their much-anticipated comeback with their fifth studio album titled 'Arirang', their first release in nearly four years since 'Proof' in June 2022. This marks not just a return but the start of a new chapter dubbed 'BTS 2.0'. In interviews shared by Big Hit Music ahead of the album's release, the seven members expressed their gratitude and excitement at reuniting after a long hiatus, aiming to deliver a great experience for their dedicated fans, ARMY. They shared the mixed feelings of nervousness and anticipation but emphasized the support from both the members and fans as a driving force to move forward.

The overarching theme of the album revolves around the keyword 'we', with members reflecting on what it means to be authentically BTS. Suga stressed the importance of focusing on their identity rather than delivering grand messages, while Jimin expressed a desire to convey resilience and determination in continuing their journey. Jungkook highlighted that the album encapsulates the diverse personal stories and colors of each member, resulting in a very 'BTS-like' record.

A particularly notable aspect of the album is its emphasis on Korean cultural elements. RM discussed their creative process, revealing that while they experimented with concepts like Taekwondo, some ideas did not make the final cut but were valuable explorations. He acknowledged that understanding what constitutes 'Korean-ness' is an evolving process which makes it more interesting. The team also reached a consensus to naturally incorporate Korean elements into the album's branding, with Jin and Suga mentioning that the album's logo originated from Jungkook's idea and was refined with the team's collaborative input. J-Hope added that they sought to infuse their lyrics with the essence of Korean culture, not as mere tradition but as a reflection of their current energies and feelings in contemporary contexts.