Jakarta, March 14, 2026 — With just one week left before the release of BTS’s highly anticipated fifth studio album, ARIRANG, Spotify has teamed up with BTS to launch a series of special experiences for fans around the world.
From exclusive in-app surprises to immersive pop-up experiences in select cities, the campaign—titled SWIMSIDE—is designed to bring ARMY closer to BTS’s long-awaited comeback. The initiative celebrates the group’s new music while highlighting the artistic journey behind ARIRANG.
The campaign officially kicked off on March 13 with the launch of “Decoding ARIRANG,” an interactive in-app experience that begins the countdown to the album release.
Through a digital Easter egg hunt across Spotify, fans are invited to explore different corners of the platform to uncover hidden surprises from the members. Among the discoveries are previously unreleased audio messages in which the members share personal reflections on the album’s title track, “SWIM.”
How to Participate in “Decoding ARIRANG”
Over the coming days, each BTS member—RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—will hide a unique fragment somewhere inside the Spotify app. Each fragment acts as a virtual key that unlocks a secret voice message from the member.
Here’s how ARMY can join the mission:
1. Update your Spotify app
Make sure your Spotify mobile app is updated to the latest version and that you’re logged in to a Premium account for the full experience.
2. Search for hidden fragments
Each member has chosen a different hiding spot within BTS-related spaces on Spotify. Fans are encouraged to explore—scroll through pages and interact with on-screen elements. The next fragment might be waiting to be discovered.
3. Tap to collect
Once you find a fragment, simply tap it to unlock and listen to the member’s secret audio message.
4. Share your discovery
Use the “Share” button to post your Decoding ARIRANG progress on social media and celebrate the find with fellow ARMY.
5. Track your collection
Go to the search tab in the Spotify app and type “BTS Decoding ARIRANG.” Tap the result to view the fragments you’ve collected and replay the messages you’ve unlocked.
6. Find all seven fragments
Fans who successfully collect all seven fragments will unlock a special ARIRANG Easter egg waiting at the end of the hunt.
Pro Tip for ARMY
The number of fragments released will vary each day. Follow Spotify’s K-pop channel on X, @SpotifyKpop, to receive hints about how many fragments are available and when the hunt begins. The first clue is already out now.
Fans can also visit Spotify For the Record to learn more about the full lineup of ARIRANG experiences celebrating BTS’s comeback on Spotify.
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