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\n\tBTS<\/a> is honoring its country of origin\u2019s history with new album ARIRANG<\/em><\/em>, for which the members just dropped a meaningful animated trailer showing how the group\u2019s modern-day impact on the Western world mirrors a story from many generations ago.<\/p>\n \n\tThe video posted Thursday (March 12) opens with a message. \u201cThis video was inspired by the story of seven young Koreans as documented in The Washington Post <\/em>on May 8, 1896 (\u2018Seven Koreans at Howard\u2019), some of whom captured the first known audio recordings of Koreans in Washington, D.C.,\u201d it reads.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cAs a modern reimagining, this work draws upon the profound cultural significance of these historical records, which preserve the authentic voices of young Korean men and the first-ever recording of \u2018Arirang,’\u201d it continues, noting that the visual \u201cmay deviate from actual historical events.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tIt then cuts to a group of seven men sailing to the United States and singing joyously for a crowd gathered outside Howard University, after which the timeline flashes forward 117 years. Suddenly, it\u2019s 2013 and BTS is on a stage, performing for thousands of screaming fans \u2014 modeling how the band\u2019s well-documented success<\/a> in elevating K-pop\u2019s presence in the U.S. parallels the reported achievement of those seven Korean men in 1896. The music also shifts at this point from a contemplative piano tune to a percolating EDM groove, possibly previewing a snippet from BTS\u2019 upcoming LP.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cEvery story begins with a song,\u201d reads text at the bottom of the screen. \u201cWhen the world feels heavy, when your heart feels light, what is your love song?\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe teaser comes just one week ahead of ARIRANG<\/em>\u2018s March 20 release date. Also on Thursday, the band unveiled the business-themed cover art<\/a> for the 14-track project, depicting members RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook dressed in tailored suits while looking stoically into the camera.<\/p>\n \n\tSince BTS announced the title of ARIRANG<\/em> in January, the band members have been upfront about their desire to pay tribute to their heritage with the album. As explained in a press release at the time, \u201cArirang\u201d is a traditional Korean folk song that \u201chas long been associated with emotions of connection, distance and reunion.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe album itself was described as \u201ca deeply reflective body of work\u201d that explores BTS\u2019 \u201cidentity and roots.\u201d<\/p>\n