Summary
| Event | Detail |
|---|
| Release | 5th full-length album 'ARIRANG' released March 20, 2026 [2]. |
| Location | Howard University campus, featuring Founders Library [5]. |
| Response | Howard University criticized the lack of historical accuracy [1]. |
Key Facts
- The release of BTS’s first full-group album in nearly four years has been overshadowed by "whitewashing" allegations regarding an animated teaser set at Howard University [1, 3, 5].
- The album 'ARIRANG' features 14 tracks, including the title song 'SWIM,' and was executive produced by Bang Si-hyuk [2].
- The teaser depicts BTS time-traveling to 1896 Howard University, inspired by a recording of the folk song ‘Arirang’ documented in the Washington Post [1].
- While the historical 1896 recording involved Black participants, the animation depicts a predominantly white audience with only two Black characters [1, 3].
- Howard University stated the portrayal "contradicts the historical background" and stressed that "cultural sensitivity and historical accuracy are absolutely necessary" [1].
- Black Enterprise noted the production "failed to gain empathy from Black Americans," citing BTS’s history of using Black music as a primary influence [4].
- BTS and Big Hit Music clarified the teaser is a "creative work reconstructed based on modern imagination and may differ from reality" [1].
Key Terms
- Howard University: Founded in 1867, it is a prominent Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with alumni including Kamala Harris and Chadwick Boseman [5].
- Arirang: A traditional Korean folk song; the teaser references an 1896 recording of the song by seven Korean students in the U.S. [1].
Key Quote
"The majority of the people gathered in the video are depicted as not being Black, which contradicts the historical background... shows cultural sensitivity and historical accuracy are absolutely necessary."
— Howard University, 네이트 [1]
Next
- Monitoring international fan reactions regarding the whitewashing allegations [3, 5].
- Potential further clarification or edits to the video by Big Hit Music and HYBE [1].
References