BTS return documentary explores military service, ARIRANG album and comeback journey, highlighting group’s evolution and global fan anticipation
A new Netflix documentary, "BTS: The Return," chronicles the journey of the seven-member South Korean group as they navigate mandatory military service, reunite, and create their fifth studio album, "ARIRANG." The film, directed by Bao Nguyen, offers an intimate look at their return to the fast lane and their efforts to reconnect with their music and fans after a significant hiatus.
The documentary begins with a scene of all seven members logging onto a livestream from a beach, a moment that signifies their reunion after nearly four years of paused full-band duties. This visual marks the start of their reintegration into their shared professional life. The film, primarily in Korean, delves into the challenges and triumphs of this period.
South Korea's mandatory military service for able-bodied men aged 18-28 is a central theme. The documentary shows footage of the members getting their heads shaved and wearing uniforms, illustrating the reality of their separation for several years. RM mentions in the film that he "learned to hustle" in the military.
Following their return from service, the band relocated to Los Angeles in the summer of 2025 to begin work on "ARIRANG." This marked their first studio album in nearly four years and features 14 tracks. The members lived together in tight quarters, facing a compressed timeline for creation.
Jin joined the band in Los Angeles the day after completing his 2025 solo tour, missing some of the early writing and recording sessions. The journey to creating the album was described as bumpy, with RM noting that a long lifespan for a K-pop group is not guaranteed.
The documentary touches upon the "seven-year curse" in the K-pop genre, where groups often disband or lose members as contracts expire. BTS, however, has maintained their status as one of the world's most popular bands. This longevity brought a new question: where should their sound evolve?
“We’re doing a lot of experiments, trying to find out, like, what makes us special,” the members discussed.
“What makes us BTS?”
They felt pressure to deliver a strong album quickly. Jimin stated in a dinner scene, “We’ve been out for too long. Now that we’re finally out of the military, we don’t want to extend this break.”
Working in and around Hollywood served as a creative catalyst for the band. The film includes clips of the members in the studio, collaborating with producer Pdogg. It also captures their in-studio dynamics, such as Suga playing guitar and V comforting an anxious Jin.
The album's narrative began to solidify when the band learned about the historical context of "Arirang." Boyoung Lee, executive creative director at Big Hit Music, shared that in 1896, Koreans arrived in the U.S. and collaborated with music producer Alice C. Fletcher. Together, they recorded the first Korean-language song in the U.S.: "Arirang," a traditional Korean folk song dating back to the 1400s. This historical connection inspired the album's title and underscored its theme of celebrating South Korea and BTS' role in sharing their culture globally.
Suga noted the importance of linguistic balance in their music. “For this album, authenticity matters,” RM agreed.
Preparing for their comeback was a daunting prospect for some members, who expressed reservations about fan reception after their extended absence and the industry's demand for reinvention. They dedicated themselves to hard work, even in unexpected ways. V was shown throwing a baseball in a parking lot to relieve stress, later practicing pitching for an event, demonstrating his commitment to not disappointing fans.
Even during downtime at their shared Los Angeles home, enjoying meals and drinks, the members continued to discuss their music, potential studio improvements, and future aspirations. This indicates a 24/7 dedication to their craft. Jung Kook voiced his concerns, asking, “I wonder if we’ve done a good job here.”
The choice of "Swim" as the lead single for "ARIRANG" was met with some uncertainty among band members. They questioned if its lower energy would be suitable for a lead track. However, "Swim" became a significant international hit, marking their first all-English single and debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, a first for an all-South Korean musical act.
Suga was an early proponent of "Swim," envisioning the fan reaction. “‘Oh, they can come back with a song like this?’ I think it’ll be cool,” he told his band mates. RM concurred, describing it as a mature song. “It’s time we give off a grown-up vibe.”
The members prioritized appearing more adult and writing songs that reflected their current life stages. “We’ve all gotten older in general,” said Suga. “We tried to express more about being an adult.”