BTS is preparing to make their long-awaited comeback as a full group with the album ARIRANG, marking nearly four years since their last collective release. The announcement has generated enormous excitement worldwide, as fans have been eagerly anticipating new music from the global superstars. In the lead-up to the album’s release, BIGHIT MUSIC launched a large-scale global promotional campaign designed to spark curiosity and engagement. Posters featuring the question, “What is your love song?” have appeared in major cities including Seoul, New York, and London, immediately capturing public attention and fueling online discussions.

As the campaign gained momentum, fans began noticing something unusual about some of the posters. In addition to the central question, certain versions appeared to include the names of other artists. Among the most prominent were Charlie Puth and Benny Blanco. Both artists later shared photos of the posters on their personal social media accounts, tagging BTS in their posts. Their actions quickly intensified speculation within the fandom, as many interpreted this as a potential hint at collaborations on the upcoming album.

Online conversations escalated rapidly. Some fans pointed out past interactions between BTS members and Charlie Puth, revisiting old social media posts and videos as possible clues. Others expressed confidence that Benny Blanco might have contributed to the production of a track on ARIRANG. Speculation expanded further when additional names such as Diplo and Becky G were mentioned in connection with the posters. Becky G, who previously collaborated with J-Hope, was also featured in the campaign imagery, prompting fans to question whether these appearances were teasers for new musical partnerships or simply callbacks to past collaborations.

The situation became even more complex when the names of BTS’s junior labelmates, TXT and CORTIS, were also reportedly spotted on certain promotional materials. This unexpected inclusion added another layer of confusion. Some fans wondered whether ARIRANG might feature inter-label collaborations, while others questioned whether the campaign was simply a marketing strategy meant to highlight the broader HYBE artist family. Without official clarification from BIGHIT MUSIC, interpretations varied widely across social media platforms.

While many fans were excited about the possibility of international collaborations, not everyone reacted positively. A significant portion of the fandom expressed concern and disappointment, particularly regarding the potential involvement of Charlie Puth and Benny Blanco. Critics pointed to both artists’ publicly perceived pro-Zionism views and past controversies, which have previously sparked debate online. For these fans, the idea of BTS collaborating with figures they consider problematic was deeply unsettling.

Several posts on social media reflected strong frustration. Some fans stated that they had hoped BTS and their management would avoid working with individuals associated with controversial political positions or past allegations. Others accused the company of disregarding fan concerns and failing to learn from previous backlash. Emotional reactions ranged from disappointment to anger, with some describing the potential collaboration as something they “didn’t want to see.” The intensity of the responses highlighted how invested fans are not only in BTS’s music but also in the ethical implications of their professional partnerships.

At the same time, there were also fans urging patience and caution. They emphasized that nothing had been officially confirmed regarding collaborations on ARIRANG. From this perspective, the posters could simply represent a broader marketing concept centered around the theme of “love songs,” potentially referencing artists who have previously worked with BTS rather than teasing new features. Supporters of this view argued that speculation alone should not lead to harsh conclusions or preemptive criticism.

As of now, BIGHIT MUSIC has not clarified the meaning behind the inclusion of these artists’ names on the promotional posters. It remains uncertain whether Charlie Puth, Benny Blanco, Becky G, or any other mentioned artists will actually appear on ARIRANG. The ambiguity has left the fandom divided between excitement and concern, illustrating the complex relationship between global pop collaborations and fan expectations in today’s highly interconnected music industry.

What is clear is that BTS’s return as a full group carries immense weight. After nearly four years of focusing on individual activities and mandatory military service, their comeback represents a significant moment not only for the group but also for the global music scene. The promotional campaign has successfully generated conversation and anticipation, even if that attention includes controversy. Until official details about the album’s tracklist and featured artists are released, fans can only speculate about what ARIRANG will ultimately sound like and which creative partners, if any, will be part of this new chapter in BTS’s career.