BTS to Perform & Answer ARMY’s Questions at ‘ARIRANG’ Fan Event in New York City

BTS is heading to the Big Apple in support of new album ARIRANG. As announced Monday (March 16), Spotify is hosting an exclusive fan event for ARMY in New York City, featuring a “special performance and Q&A,” according to the release.

Spotify x BTS: SWIMSIDE will take place March 23, three days after ARIRANG drops. A select group of fans will be invited to celebrate with the septet comprised of RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook and explore “immersive album-themed experiences.” The exact location of the event is not public.

The news comes just four days ahead of the highly anticipated release of ARIRANG, a 14-track project that’s been years in the making. After spending about two years working on solo projects and fulfilling military service requirements, the Bangtan Boys reunited last year and almost immediately began work on a new album, which will follow 2020 Billboard 200-topper Be.

The fan event in NYC isn’t the only way BTS is gearing fans up for the new album — nor is it the band’s only partnership with Spotify for ARIRANG. The streamer is also planning to roll out an in-app easter egg hunt through which ARMY can track down exclusive audio messages from the members, as well as a BTS Music Quiz that will allow fans to test themselves and each other on band-related trivia. Both begin March 20.

Previously, Google launched an ARIRANG clue hunt on mobile.

BTS is also planning a free concert celebrating the release of ARIRANG at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, taking place March 21. A few weeks later, the group will embark on an 82-date world tour.

“We have a diversity of genres,” Suga said of the new album in a February GQ cover story. “It’s going to be quite different from the BTS albums and sounds that you’ve been listening to. You’re going to see a more mature side of BTS this time around.”