It’s an excellent week to be a member of BTS ARMY.
A number of days after the band took over Gwanghwamun Sq. in Seoul—delivering a killer set that includes highlights from their new album Arirang, in addition to previous smashes like “Butter” and “Dynamite,” for a Netflix particular streamed everywhere in the world—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook docked on US shores and celebrated with a few of their largest US followers at Spotify x BTS: SWIMSIDE at Pier 17 in downtown New York on Monday night time.
Even a wet, chilly spring day couldn’t cease these followers from trooping to Pier 17 for the celebration, with some followers lining up for the reason that morning (and some, for days prematurely) to see their beloved Bangtan boys once more. Triumphing over the weather—and maybe their very own fatigue—some followers within the viewers held up “We Stayed” indicators, a proud declaration of ARMY tenacity.
SWIMSIDE was meant to have a good time the much-anticipated launch of Arirang, their fifth studio album, which has already damaged data worldwide. When BTS sat down for GQ’s March 2026 cowl story just a few months in the past, the band talked in regards to the album’s ambition and variety of genres. “What I can inform you is that it’s going to be fairly completely different from the BTS albums and sounds that you simply’ve been listening to,” Suga mentioned within the piece. “You’re going to see a extra mature facet of BTS this time round.” And if the important reception is something to go by, it appears the band has given followers precisely that, incomes raves for his or her sonic experimentation and reconfirmed idiosyncrasies.
Spotify turned Pier 17 into a real ARMY wonderland for the event, with large black-and-white photographs of the band members welcoming followers on the entrance, all LED screens main as much as the rooftop venue in aquatic theme with lead single “Swim,” and meals stalls serving snacks stamped with the Arirang brand (with the Spotify icon sitting proper beside).
The occasion was kicked off by a Q&A moderated by actress and musician Suki Waterhouse, who made her ARMY bonafides identified by means of her nimble internet hosting and deep inventory information of BTS. “Borahae, ARMY!” she mentioned at one level, referencing a phrase coined by V to speak belief and loyalty between the band and their followers.
