“I had this idea of, what if we gave them their own camcorders?” This quote from director Bao Nguyen encapsulates the innovative approach taken in the documentary BTS: The Return, which chronicles the world-renowned band BTS as they reunite following their military service.
The documentary not only captures the personal experiences of the members but also showcases their creative process as they work on their new album, Arirang. With over 40 terabytes of footage collected from both BTS and the crew, the film provides an intimate look at the band’s journey.
As BTS returns to the music scene, they face the immense pressure of living up to the expectations of their dedicated fanbase, known as ARMY. RM, one of the band’s leaders, remarked, “It’s a lot of pressure.” The anticipation surrounding their comeback is palpable, especially given their previous status as the biggest band in the world.
In its opening week, Arirang achieved remarkable success, earning BTS their seventh No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart with 641,000 equivalent album units sold. The documentary was streamed on Netflix, attracting 18.4 million viewers during its initial livestream.
While BTS celebrates their achievements, other projects in the region face challenges. The Quang Kim – Coc San connecting road project in Lao Cai has not been completed after more than three years, with only 3.5 out of 6.8 kilometers finished. The project, which has a total investment of 50 billion VND, is currently entangled in site clearance issues.
Vu Van Sinh, a local official, stated, “The main reason for the slow progress of projects is that people have not agreed in site clearance work along with the high increase in material prices.” This situation highlights the contrast between the success of BTS and the ongoing struggles of local infrastructure projects.
The documentary BTS: The Return not only marks a significant moment for the band but also reflects the broader cultural impact of BTS on their fans and the music industry. As the band continues to navigate their post-military careers, the next developments in their journey are highly anticipated by fans and observers alike.