"The most fascinating song on ARIRANG features little more than 98 seconds of silence. Named 'No. 29' after South Korea's 29th designated national treasure, it is a field recording of the Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok."
"ARIRANG's generic pop music does in some sense represent one facet of broader Korean culture: the desire for Western validation and global dominance."
"A lot of these early tracks on ARIRANG don't sound the least bit assured, partly because their sonic elements recontextualize them in the world of Western rap."
ARIRANG includes a notable 98 seconds of silence and a field recording of the Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok. The album marks BTS's return after a four-year hiatus due to military conscription. It showcases their achievements in promoting Korean culture globally. The music features contributions from non-Korean producers, blending K-pop with Western influences. However, the tracks often lack confidence, with some songs feeling routine and overly serious, reflecting a desire for Western validation in the music industry.
Read at Pitchfork
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