BTS is treating its first full-group comeback in over four years as an aggressive conquest of the worldwide market rather than a musical release. ARIRANG’s release has already sparked the kind of buzz usually reserved for big economic shifts, starting with a midnight Tuesday teaser for the lead song titled SWIM.
The visuals in SWIM, directed by Tanu Muino, showcase a prominent ship model in an empty museum and transitions into a reflected ocean montage, closing with the title surfacing across the waves. Interestingly, Muino has also previously collaborated with Jungkook on his Standing Next to You music video. Additionally, the Ukrainian filmmaker has worked on projects with international pop stars such as Post Malone, Doja Cat, and Dua Lipa.