BTS' 'Arirang' named among best albums of the first half of 2026

NME described BTS as "the biggest boy band in the world", while The Telegraph called the group "the face of K-pop".

23 Jun 2026 11:09am
BTS accepts the Artist of the Year Award on stage during the American Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 25. AFP FILE PIX
BTS accepts the Artist of the Year Award on stage during the American Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 25. AFP FILE PIX

"ARIRANG," the latest album by K-pop supergroup BTS, has been recognised among the best releases of the first half of 2026 by leading global music publications, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The group's fifth full-length album was included in multiple mid-year lists, beginning with US pop culture outlet Complex on June 12. It was subsequently featured by Britain's The Telegraph on June 13, US magazine Rolling Stone on June 15 and British music publication NME on June 16.

The biggest news has got to be the return of BTS, who showcased their Korean roots with the excellent Arirang," Rolling Stone said.

NME described BTS as "the biggest boy band in the world", while The Telegraph called the group "the face of K-pop".

The septet held two concerts in the south-eastern South Korean city of Busan on June 12 and 13 as part of its Arirang world tour. The group is set to begin the European leg of the tour in Madrid on June 26 and 27, with a total of 10 shows scheduled across five cities. - BERNAMA-YONHAP

 

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