BTS has officially released the music video for “Merry Go Round” on YouTube, bringing the ARIRANG era to another major video platform more than three months after the song’s original visual debut. The release marks the latest expansion of the group’s sixth Korean-language studio album and gives fans a wider way to experience one of its standout tracks.
“Merry Go Round” originally premiered on June 19 as a Spotify-exclusive music video for Premium subscribers. The streaming-first release was tied to Spotify’s K-Pop ON! Hub and BTS’ official artist page, making it notably different from the group’s traditional video rollouts, which have typically centered on YouTube.
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That exclusivity has now ended, with the visual arriving on YouTube and becoming accessible to BTS’ enormous global audience beyond Spotify’s dedicated video ecosystem. The move also adds another chapter to the promotional campaign surrounding ARIRANG, which has continued months after the album’s March 20 release.
The original Spotify premiere followed BTS FESTA 2026, which ran from June 4 through June 13 as the group celebrated its 13th anniversary. The festivities included BTS Family Photo, B Side Film, Normal Log and the return of Run BTS! 2.0, while the group also released “Come Over” on June 12.
“Merry Go Round” is the fourth official music video connected to the ARIRANG campaign, following visuals for “Swim,” “2.0” and “Hooligan.”
Released nearly six years after 2020’s Be, ARIRANG represents BTS’ first studio album following each member’s completion of mandatory military service. The 2026 project combines hip-hop and pop with alternative R&B, synth-pop, EDM and elements of traditional Korean music, reflecting themes of identity, separation, reunion, fame, burnout, resilience and cultural heritage.
The album also features an expansive group of collaborators, including Pdogg, Diplo, El Guincho, Ryan Tedder, Jasper Harris, Kevin Parker, Mike Will Made-It, Artemas and JPEGMafia. Its title references “Arirang,” the traditional Korean folk song, tying the record’s themes of identity and cultural heritage directly to its name.
ARIRANG became a major commercial success following its release, debuting at No. 1 in more than 25 countries and reaching the top of the Billboard 200 in the United States. The project also launched the ARIRANG World Tour, which is scheduled to run through March 2027.
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