BTS Fans Unleash Backlash After Pitchfork Slaps 5.3 on ‘ARIRANG’ Comeback Album
March 24, 2026 — According to the rating of Pitchfork. Barely four days after BTS dropped their highly anticipated 14-track album ARIRANG, the internet has erupted. ARMYs around the world are slamming Pitchfork’s low 5.3 rating, accusing the outlet of bias and outdated taste just as the group celebrates its full post-military reunion.
The album, released March 20 via BigHit Music, marks the first time RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook appear together since completing mandatory service. It leans heavily into Korean roots — from folk-inspired melodies echoing the traditional song “Arirang” to modern takes on han and identity — while featuring guest production from Diplo and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker.
Major publications have been glowing.
Rolling Stone and The Guardian both gave ARIRANG 4.5 out of 5, hailing its “mature sound and renewed energy.” Yet Pitchfork’s Joshua Minsoo Kim dismissed the production as “generic” and the cultural nods as “superficial,” even as he singled out the fiery track “Hooligan” for praise.
Fans wasted no time calling out what they see as inconsistency: the same reviewer awarded BLACKPINK’s Jennie a 7.1 for her solo album Ruby last year. Within hours, #PitchforkDoesntMatter and #DefendARIRANG trended globally on X, with thousands posting screenshots and streaming receipts. “They ignored the streams, the sold-out pre-orders, and the cultural depth — again,” one prominent ARMY account posted, amassing over 120,000 likes.
Industry insiders note the backlash reflects a wider shift: fan-driven platforms now carry more weight than traditional gatekeepers. Spotify data shows ARIRANG already surpassed 50 million streams in its first 72 hours, with “Hooligan” leading global charts.
BTS has not commented on the review, but the numbers speak loudly. As one fan summed it up in a viral video: “We don’t need Pitchfork’s permission to know this is our best work yet.”
Source: Pitchfork/Pop Base
Reportby: hannahlim@ygkplusofficial.com
SOUTH KOREAN BASED PROFESSIONAL JOURNALIST
