'Arirang' adoration, merch madness on offer with BTS pop-up

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'Arirang' adoration, merch madness on offer with BTS pop-up

Published: 20 Mar. 2026, 13:22 Updated: 20 Mar. 2026, 13:59

WOO JI-WON
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

The BTS pop-up store "BTS Pop-up: Arirang" opened on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul, on March 20. [DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ]

A pop-up store for BTS's long-awaited fifth studio album "Arirang" opened Friday, welcoming fans from around the world to explore the group's latest universe while getting their hands on new merchandise.

"BTS Pop-up: Arirang" opened at 1 p.m. on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. A separate pop-up store is also running at HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan District.

The space unfolds in two parts: an immersive exhibition zone that brings the concept and message of "Arirang" to life, and a merchandise area packed with new releases.

A 1.9-meter-tall (6.2-foot-tall) volcanic stone sculpture "ㅇㄹㄹ" is set up inside the BTS pop-up store held on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. [WOO JI-WON]

Upon entering the exhibition zone, visitors are greeted by a 1.9-meter-tall (6.2-foot-tall) volcanic stone sculpture, "ㅇㄹㄹ" — three stacked spheres mirroring the album's Arirang logo — each engraved with the first character of each syllable of "Arirang" in Korean.

Look down, and one will find the Big Dipper constellation spread across the floor, with each star representing the group's seven members. Surrounding it like a digital Stonehenge are seven vertical screens, each showcasing a member — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — while a horizontal screen on the opposite side displays a photo of the whole group together, welcoming fans in unison.

"Arirang Meari" is placed inside the BTS pop-up store on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. [WOO JI-WON]

At the heart of the space sits the main interactive installation, "Arirang Meari," inspired by the idea of the folk song the album took its name from as "a timeless love song that has echoed across generations."

A large red circular table, dotted with a few holes like a billiards table, is scattered with white balls labeled with five keywords: "Peace," "Hope," "Love," "Dream" and "Trust." Visitors pick the word that best reflects their idea of love, then roll the ball across the surface, watching as it collides and moves unpredictably with others.

"Through how the balls move — whether they drop straight in, stop midway or collide with others — the installation visualizes how one's form of love connects with others," said Seo Ji-young, who helped design the space.

Encircling the installation are four themed walls, each inspired by a different version of the album: "Living Legend," "Rooted in Music," "Rooted in Korea" and "LP."

A wall displays LPs in different colors paired with portraits of each member at the BTS pop-up store on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. [WOO JI-WON]

One wall displays LPs in different colors personally selected by each member, paired with their portraits. Another showcases the "Living Legend" version, featuring items included in the album box set.

Across the room, guitars and music-related items such as cassette tapes, headphones and microphones bring the "Rooted in Music" concept to life, while black-and-white photographs from the album photobook line the "Rooted in Korea" wall.

An Interactive station titled "What Is Your Love Song?" invites fans to select a track from the "Arirang" album, choose an "Arirang" logo and enter their name or initials at the BTS pop-up store on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. [WOO JI-WON]

The screen shows the lyrics from the track "Swim," as well as a photo of BTS, a letter written by the group and the name this reporter entered at the BTS pop-up store on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. [WOO JI-WON]

At the far end, another interactive station titled "What Is Your Love Song?" invites fans to create their own moment. On an iPad, visitors select a track from the "Arirang" album, choose a logo and enter their name or initials. Once they tap the "Scan" button, a large screen displays the selected track's lyrics along with a BTS image and a handwritten-style message from the members. Different messages are featured for different tracks.

A message for the track "2.0" reads: "Thank you for patiently waiting. Damn, it was so long for me too! This is the 2.0. I fxxxxx missed you all!!! Are we on the same page? Wonders and wander..."

For the track "Swim," the message says: "It's been so long since all of us met ARMY, we're already nervous. Let's meet as much as we want next year. Wherever ARMY is, we'll come to you," accompanied by a heart with “ARMY” and “BTS” written inside.

In the next room, the "Arirang" concept runs through the merchandise.

The merchandise zone of the BTS pop-up store on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. [WOO JI-WON]

Hoodies and t-shirts for sale at the BTS pop-up store on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. [WOO JI-WON]

On offer are 18 official items, including T-shirts for 59,000 won ($40) featuring individual members and group images, as well as hoodies in pink at 139,000 won with "What is your love song?" printed on them, along with black versions with abstract paint-style designs for 149,000 won.

Five items created in collaboration with the Cultural Foundation of the National Museum of Korea's MU:DS brand add a distinctly Korean-heritage touch — from a shoulder bag embroidered with motifs inspired by the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok to layered skirts and uniquely designed hair clips based on the album logo.

A layered skirt for sale at the BTS pop-up store on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. [WOO JI-WON]

A shoulder bag for sale at the BTS pop-up store on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. [WOO JI-WON]

Hairpins combined traditional curves with modern materials, while sleek cardholders are made with smooth fabric.

Other items include key chains featuring the three-sphere motif or a message-shaped cushion for 39,000 won, cardholders in red and black for 55,000 won, posters for 14,000 won, a black fan with the Arirang logo for 42,000 won, a mug featuring the members for 29,000 won, a silver Arirang table engraved with "What is your love song?" for 49,000 won, a set of chopsticks for 39,000 won, a wine stopper for 43,000 won, lamps shaped like the Arirang logo in red and white for 79,000 won, a silver notebook pouch for 49,000 won and candles designed with the three-sphere motif for 49,000 won. Lightsticks are also available.

Card holders, key chains and paper posters for sale at the BTS pop-up store on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. [WOO JI-WON]

A fan and a silver Arirang table for sale at the BTS pop-up store held on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. [WOO JI-WON]

The pop-up runs from March 20 to April 12, with a day off on March 30. Operating hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On opening day, March 20, it operates from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A separate pop-up store running at HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan District operates during the same period, though it is only a store, with no exhibition.

Entry is available by reservation only through Weverse. Reservations for the first week, from Friday through March 26, are currently open, though all time slots are fully booked. Additional slots may become available in the event of cancellations.

BY WOO JI-WON [[email protected]]