I still don't know how to process all my feelings about Arirang, but I liked it a lot on first listen, and then it grew on me each time. The more I look at the lyrics the more I realise how clever and sharply worded they are, and how they fit the themes of Arirang in subtle ways. Also the way they used their voices in this album, the way they expressed the emotions and moods of the songs is really masterful, I'm so proud of how they've been able to push themselves to a new level.
I see a lot of people focusing on production (either loving or hating, though mostly loving it) but for me it's the members' vocal delivery that really makes this album special and sets it apart, and the lyrics which give it hidden depth that unfolds as you sit with the songs. The more I listen, the more I think this album will stand the test of time, and once the noise has died down it will be appreciated as a great piece of work by a lot of people.
While I really am seeing mostly positive reactions, when I look at the negative ones I'm struck by how contradictory and intense they are, "too this" or "too that" or "not enough this" etc. but all in opposite ways, and all so certain. It seems like everyone's trying to pull the album (and BTS) in every different direction at once, demanding as if it's owed to them. Since they all have different likes and dislikes, it would be impossible to please everyone.
It seems a lot of people allowed themselves to create a fantasy fanfic version of this album in their head before it was released, and then all they can hear is the contrast with their fantasy. Some people seemed to put this fantasy album on a pedestal where it has to represent everything and say everything and pour out every personal detail and it somehow has to fit every single person's preferences, and not be too much or too little of anything.
And in the meantime there is Arirang, the real album that exists, full of interesting thoughts, heartfelt emotions, sonic experimentation, pulling together nostalgic influences from early in their career with new sounds and perspectives. It contains so much, if people are willing to let go of their fantasies and actually listen.
It's funny how people are so worked up about this album... but you know why they care? It's because BTS is that relevant. They worked their way up from that tiny studio in Nonhyeon-dong, a bunch of kids in a small country, unknown and with no prospects of being heard, to reach the very heart of global pop culture, and become so many people's focus. Getting to that point will *always* bring love and hate in equal measure.
I take a step back and look at them, and suddenly I see them again, despite the fame, wealth, influence, and endless headlines: 7 normal young people, artists, who just went through years of intense, traumatic experiences, who are finally free, who just want to express themselves and experiment. They've made many albums before this, and I think they'll have plenty more to come, with different sounds and concepts. At this turning point in their career, they're taking steps in untested directions to push themselves and grow through experience, because if they didn't do that now they'd be stuck as an echo of their former selves. And the bravery it takes to do that when millions of eyes are focused on you, millions of people are poised ready to react, millions of people's hopes and prejudices and fantasies are swirling around you... I don't know how to put it into words.
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