India will tour Ireland for T20Is in June before England series. Full schedule and key details here. World champions India will tour Ireland for a T20I series in June ahead of their white-ball assignment in England. The series, confirmed by Ireland’s director of high performance Graham West
Following a thorough review of the situation in various parts of the Middle East, the CBSE has cancelled the Class 10 main examinations on March 5th. The affected countries include Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. During this period, 6 major exams including Mathematics
New Delhi: The ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region due to escalations by Iran, Israel, US could send a ripple effect in the Indian property market. The hostile conditions in the West Asia could result in price escalation in India's realty sector
Mumbai orthopaedic surgeon warns this common sleeping position is 'killing your neck': Shares simple hack to fix itDr Manan Vora shared that many people focus on maintaining good posture during the day, but neglect their neck alignment at night, leading to chronic pain. Published on: Mar 20
Dhurandhar 2 box office collection day 1: Dhurandhar (the first part) released and became the all-time highest grosser in Hindi, opening with Rs 27 crore at the box office. Dhurandhar 2 box office collection: Bollywood just got its biggest opener in Hindi ever! Filmmaker Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar 2:
BTS Arirang review: K-pop idols rekindle their fire
The return of BTS is a big deal.
In case you were in any doubt, just look at the frenzy surrounding the South Koreans' comeback.
On Saturday, the band will kick off a sold-out, 82-date world tour with a free concert in Seoul, which is expected to be attended by more than 250,000 in-person fans and will be live-streamed on Netflix to more than 190 countries.
When the tour wraps up in 2027, BTS are expected to have generated more than $1billion in revenue. Some more outlandish estimates suggest they will eclipse the $2billion haul of Taylor Swift's Eras tour.
Even so, demand is so high that Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has written to the South Korean government asking for BTS to play more shows in her country.
Eager fans have pre-saved the band's tenth album, Arirang, more than five million times on Spotify - the highest number ever achieved by a K-Pop group.
And shares in the band's record company, HYBE, have soared in anticipation of the release.
During the band's four-year hiatus - during which all seven members completed South Korea's mandatory 18-month military service - the company's operating profit dropped by almost 37.5%.
Accordingly, the expectations for Arirang are huge.
Fans are desperate to see the group back together, but with the K-Pop industry shaken by scandals and stalling album sales, there's a sense that BTS's return is a litmus test for the genre's continued international appeal.
The band could have played it safe. Before taking time off, the band had settled into making sleek, shimmery retro-disco tracks like Dynamite and Butter - designed to appeal to the sort of listener who finds Bruno Mars too crass and abrasive.
Surefire radio hits, they cemented BTS as the biggest K-Pop band on planet earth - especially in English-speaking markets.
But they sacrificed the scrappy energy of early songs like Am I Wrong, where Suga called out a South Korean official who said the country should enact a class system in which 99 per cent of citizens would be treated "like dogs and pigs".
The good news is the band have rekindled that fire.
The opening 15 minutes of Arirang have the rebellious, rap-heavy energy of the band's 2014 album, Dark & Wild.
"Don't stand too close to the fire," they warn on FYA, a deliciously dark serving of Jersey club music, full of revving synths and distorted beats.
Hooligan is equally audacious, with a rhythm track built from the sound of sharpening knives and snatches of cinematic strings that somehow leads into a dizzying falsetto chorus.
Produced by Spanish musician El Guincho - responsible for cutting-edge tracks by Rosalía and Charli XCX - it finds the band returning to their roots and "acting the fool again", while asserting their global dominance.
"This is international, make it unforgettable," they declare, in what feels like a manifesto for their comeback.
But the band are also careful to acknowledge their homeland - perhaps aware of accusations their national identity had got somewhat lost in the music they made before the hiatus.
The album's title, Arirang, is also the name of Korea's most beloved folk song, a sentimental anthem about moving from hardship towards something better.
It is not lost on the band that the first known recording of Arirang was made in the United States in 1896, performed by a group of seven Korean men at Howard University.
A promotional video for the album shows RM, V, Jin, Jungkook, Jimin, j-hope and Suga listening to that wax cylinder recording, creating a connection across 130 years of history and placing them in a tradition of exporting Korean culture to the world.
Emphasising that concept, musical motifs from Arirang appear on the album's opening track, Body To Body, harnessed to a clattering hip-hop beat.
Addressed to their fans, the lyrics draw on themes of reconnection and reunion, before an almighty bass drop and the declaration: "I need the whole stadium to jump".
After the energy of the five opening songs, we hear the resonant toll of The Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok - one of Korea's national treasures - and BTS slip into a more contemplative mode.
Swim, the album's first single, is subtle and restrained, the sort of music that drifts lazily into your ears before getting stuck on your internal radio.
Chiefly written by band leader RM, it's a song about surrendering to the currents of life and moving forward, even when the tide threatens to pull you under.
It's a theme that recurs on subsequent tracks - perhaps suggesting that BTS were wary about dipping their toes back into the choppy waters of fame.
My life is a broken roller coaster, but maybe I'm the only one to blame," they sing on the melancholy Merry Go Round. "I do my best, but I can't slow down this merry go round.
The subsequent track, Normal, is billed as "exploring the space between spotlight and silence" and expresses ambivalence about the cost of celebrity, with lyrics about surviving criticism and having to fake happiness for the cameras.
"Now I understand the truth, some pain is real / If everything's just happy, that ain't real."
Those songs will undoubtedly be scrutinised by fans, especially after Jungkook recently posted, and then deleted, a livestream video in which he shared his frustrations with life as a K-Pop idol.
But the album also makes it clear BTS have re-committed to this career. As they sing on Normal: "Fantasy and fame, they're the things we choose."
And there's a cheeky riposte to their critics on the jazzy potboiler They Don't Know 'Bout Us: "You say we changed? We feel the same."
The closing third of the album heads into the night, with a suite of more seductive songs, including the surprisingly carnal Like Animals, which comes complete with a squealing guitar solo.
But this section is where the album drifts into mediocrity, with a handful of meandering, mid-tempo love songs that don't really add much to the overall package.
One More Night features a funky 1990s house bassline, but doesn't commit to the sound in the same way as recent house-centric K-Pop hits by Hearts2Hearts (Focus) and KiiKii (404 New Era). And Please, a slick piece of harmonic pop, is perfectly pleasant without leaving a lasting impression.
BTS rally round on the closing track, Into The Sun. Experimental and fun, it crushes the stars' voices through digital effects that give their declarations of undying love a yearning, other-worldly quality.
In the closing minute, it switches into stadium rock bombast, as the band sing, "I'll follow you into the sun".
You can bet their fans will be right there alongside them.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: BTS’ Suga donates 5 bn won to autism hospital in South Korea Bobby Deol Sends Love To Dharmendra In A BTS Video From Ikkis’ Sets Bengaluru To Face Power Outages Across BTS Layout Ananya Panday Drops Sizzling BTS Pics From ‘Hum Dono’ Song RM Says BTS Is ‘Working Diligently’ On New Album In Letter To ARMY Japan PM, South Korean president drum to BTS hit in viral video BTS’ Kim Namjoon reveals how his dynamic with the members has shifted now BTS’ V Posts Car Selfie From Hawaii Trip Farah Khan drops cheeky comment on Tom Cruise’s BTS clip from Mission Impossible Hrithik Roshan flaunts chiselled physique in BTS video from War 2 training
The excitement around Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller franchise shows no signs of slowing down. Just months after the release of the first film last December, the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, has hit theatres on March 19 and fans are going absolutely wild
1 minutes ago
US President Donald Trump has issued a typically strongly worded statement in the wake of attacks on a major gas field shared by Iran and Qatar on Wednesday. Israel hit Iran's South Pars - part of the world's largest natural gas field – and Tehran retaliated by striking an energy complex in Qatar
1 minutes ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.No budget for an AC? How to stay cool without an AC using simple and affordable cooling solutionsFrom air coolers to simple home hacks
1 minutes ago
The impact of the ongoing war in West Asia is spreading beyond oil and gas. Important sectors in India such as fertilisers, diamonds, aviation and polymers are feeling the pressure. New Delhi: The war in West Asia is no longer about oil and gas only. It is now affecting India’s overall economy
1 minutes ago
President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing is delayed due to a Middle East war. Analysts believe this puts China in a stronger position to negotiate. Trump may seek a diplomatic win. China has ignored calls to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz
1 minutes ago
The 13th century Persian poet Saadi Shirazi writes of human beings as “members of a whole”, of one essence and soul, and calls for sympathising with human pain: If one member is afflicted with pain,Other members uneasy will remain.If you’ve no sympathy for human pain
1 minutes ago
Stojanovic's late goal rescues Jamshedpur FC against SC Delhi Published on: Mar 20, 2026 10:27 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Stojanovic's late goal rescues Jamshedpur FC against SC Delhi Key Takeaways Summary is AI-generated Jamshedpur FC's Nikola Stojanović scored a last-minute equaliser
2 minutes ago
The US is weighing lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil, as it scrambles to contain the impact of its war in Iran on energy markets. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent put forward the idea in a Fox interview, saying it could make more oil available to global buyers. Around the world
2 minutes ago
Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards will miss the IPL 2026 season. He sustained a foot injury. Sunrisers Hyderabad signed him for Rs 3 crore. This is a blow for Sunrisers Hyderabad. They will also miss captain Pat Cummins. Ishan Kishan will lead the team
2 minutes ago
Gastroenterologist says jamun seed is great for diabetes management; suggests best way to consume it: ‘1 spoon every…’Gastroenterologist emphasises that jamun seeds aid diabetes management through natural compounds that regulate blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation. Updated on: Mar 20
2 minutes ago
A viral video shows a hand pump left in the middle of a newly widened road in Mirzapur, UP. See the "drive-through hydration" mockery and the PWD’s midnight fix. The Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department faced public outrage after a video showed a hand pump standing in the center of a street that
2 minutes ago
Investors scramble to make sense of HDFC chairman Atanu Chakraborty's sudden exitThe unexpected resignation of HDFC Bank chairman Atanu Chakraborty has left investors bewildered, triggering a 5% drop in shares. Updated on: Mar 20, 2026 9:59 AM IST By Shayan Ghosh Share via Copy link Mumbai:
2 minutes ago
Early in this maximalist’s dream of sensory overload, when the background voice of a girl menacingly provokes: ‘you are not ready for this’, one wants to tell her actually, one is over-prepared. As it turns out, the sequel attempts to outdo the original in volume and venom
2 minutes ago
The new season of dating show The Bachelorette has been cancelled following domestic violence allegations against this season's star, ABC has said. The network said it "made the decision to not move forward with the new season" after footage of Taylor Frankie Paul emerged on Thursday appearing to
2 minutes ago
Dhurandhar 2 worldwide box office collection day 1: ₹240 crore start breaks all Bollywood records, beats even BaahubaliDhurandhar 2 worldwide box office collection day 1: Ranveer Singh's spy thriller has crossed the ₹200 crore mark globally on its first day itself. Mar 20, 2026
2 minutes ago
Eid al-Fitr celebrations is about celebrating with family and loved ones. It is a time of rejoicing and coming together with the community. Like many festivals in India, food and especially desserts, plays an integral part in the celebrations
2 minutes ago
The release of Dhurandhar: The Revenge has transformed PVR multiplexes across Delhi-NCR into realms of barely controlled anarchy with house full boards, police deployment, technical malfunctions, and record-breaking advance bookings proclaiming one of the largest debuts the capital has ever seen
2 minutes ago
IMD issued a yellow alert for rain and 50kmph storms in 13 UP districts including Noida, Meerut, and Ghaziabad. Check the 48-hour forecast and farmer advisory here. The weather in Uttar Pradesh is going to change a lot. The India Meteorological Department said there will be thunderstorms, rain
2 minutes ago
India weather today: Going out in the car during rainy days is fun and enjoyable, but it can turn risky if your vehicle isn’t ready for the bad weather. India weather today: Going out in the car during rainy days is fun and enjoyable, but it can turn risky if your vehicle isn’t ready for the
2 minutes ago
Barricades, broken promises, phone curbs: Inside Vijay’s TVK Iftaar party in PoonjeeriFollowing Chennai controversy last year, actor Vijay’s TVK organised a more streamlined Iftaar party and managed the crowd wanting to get closer to the star Published on: Mar 20
2 minutes ago
Stock Market Holiday: Confusion is building among investors over whether Indian stock markets will remain closed on March 20 on account of Eid al-Fitr. As per the official holiday calendars released by NSE and BSE for 2026, Eid al-Fitr is not scheduled as a market holiday on March 20
2 minutes ago
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized the Election Commission of India's recent reshuffles of state officials. She described the actions as an 'undeclared Emergency' and a politically motivated move to control the state
2 minutes ago
As Dhurandhar 2 sets new Bollywood opening record, a look at the top 10 first day box office collectionsRanveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar has become the first Bollywood film to earn ₹100 crore in a day. It is directed by Aditya Dhar. Mar 20, 2026
2 minutes ago
SPOILER ALERT! The ending of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge takes a quiet and emotional turn. Ranveer Singh’s Hamza Ali Mazari finishes his mission in Pakistan and returns to India. As he regains his identity as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, what happens to him afterwards? Let’s find out
2 minutes ago
Is the LDF losing its grip on Kerala? A new 2026 pre-poll survey of 26,000 voters shows the UDF leading with 38.2% vote share. See the top CM picks and anti-incumbency data. A pre-poll survey ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections shows a notable change in the political scene
2 minutes ago
RBSE 10th Result 2026: Rajasthan Board Class 10 results not releasing today? latest update here Published on: Mar 20, 2026 10:19 AM IST By HT Education Desk | Written by Papri Chanda Prefer HTon Google Quick Read Share via Copy link Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education has postponed the
2 minutes ago
Just ten days ago, Delhi was witnessing the hottest March week in 50 years with temperatures soaring above 35 degrees Celsius. Days after, within the same month, Delhiites have been waking up to rains for two consecutive days, and the same March now has become the wettest March for the city in
2 minutes ago
