arirang
Culture
The Arirang Smartphone and the Cultural Power of a Divided Peninsula Technology History and Identity in Modern Korea
The unveiling of North Korea’s first domestic smartphone, the Arirang, marks a significant intersection of modern technology and ancient cultural heritage within the context of the ongoing military and political tensions on the Korean peninsula. While the device itself—a touch-screen handset reportedly manufactured within the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)—represents a step forward in ... Read more
June 14, 2026
News & Update
BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN BUSAN PLAGUED BY 75-MINUTE DELAY, PROMPTING APOLOGIES FROM BIGHIT MUSIC AND MEMBERS JIMIN, JUNGKOOK
Jakarta – The highly anticipated BTS concert in Busan, a global spectacle drawing tens of thousands of ARMYs, was marred by significant operational issues on its opening night, June 12, 2026. Held at the majestic Asiad Main Stadium, the event experienced a substantial 75-minute delay, sparking a wave of frustration among devoted fans who had ... Read more
June 13, 2026
Music Reviews
The Enduring Legacy and Evolving Sound of BTS: A Deep Dive into "Swim" and the "Arirang" Era
Since their explosive debut in 2013 with the fierce anthem "No More Dream," BTS has embodied a relentless drive, a commitment to constantly moving forward. This ethos was powerfully reinforced in their recent performance of "Run BTS" at the " in BUSAN" concert, a track that encapsulates their identity as being "bulletproof" and needing to ... Read more
June 13, 2026
Culture
“Arirang” and Korean Nationalism
The unveiling of North Korea’s first domestic smartphone, the Arirang, marks a significant intersection between modern technological aspirations and deeply rooted cultural nationalism. While the global technology market is dominated by multi-billion-dollar entities from the United States, South Korea, and China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has sought to carve out its own ... Read more
June 7, 2026
Music Reviews
BTS Dives into "Arirang" with "Swim," Exploring New Depths and Lingering Questions
Since their explosive debut in 2013 with the track "No More Dream," BTS has been synonymous with relentless forward momentum. Their career has been a testament to sustained effort and ambition, a narrative even echoed in their recent performance of "Run BTS" at the Yet to Come in Busan concert, where the very concept of ... Read more
June 5, 2026
Charts
Billboard Japan Unveils 2026 Mid-Year Charts: Kenshi Yonezu’s "IRIS OUT" and BTS’s "ARIRANG" Lead the Pack
Billboard Japan has officially released its highly anticipated mid-year charts for 2026, providing a comprehensive overview of the most impactful music trends and artists in the Japanese market from November 24, 2025, to May 24, 2026. The comprehensive rankings across various categories, including the all-genre Japan Hot 100, Japan Hot Albums, Japan Artist 100, and ... Read more
June 5, 2026