Diplo Asks BTS Fans for Support Ahead of 'Arirang' Album Release

BTS fans are known for their intense passion, both in support of the things they love and in criticism of those they do not. On Wednesday, March 4, producer Diplo, who contributed to five tracks on the boy band's upcoming album "Arirang," asked fans to go easy on him once the album is released.

Diplo shared a photo on Instagram of himself with BTS members Jung Kook and RM, along with screenshots of the "Arirang" tracklist showing his production credits. He wrote, "ARMY please be nice ... I made 5 of these."

Diplo also posted a video featuring himself and BTS backstage at the 2020 Grammy Awards with Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus and Mason Ramsey. BTS performed "Old Town Road" during that year's ceremony.

As announced Tuesday, March 3, Diplo worked on the songs "Body to Body," "FYA," "One More Night," "Like Animals" and the album's closing track, "Into the Sun." "Arirang" will feature 14 songs in total, with additional production by Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, Mike WiLL Made-It and Ryan Tedder. All seven BTS members-Jin, Suga, j-hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook-contributed to the production of every track.

Diplo has spoken publicly about his involvement with "Arirang" prior to the release of the tracklist. In February, he told TMZ that BTS' next album would "shock the world," adding, "I just feel so lucky to link up with a group like that and have them trust me and do some awesome music."

BTS fans, known as ARMY, have been waiting several years for new music from the group. "Arirang" will be BTS' first full-length album since 2020's "Be," which topped the Billboard 200 and produced several No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Following the release of "Be," the group pursued solo projects and fulfilled South Korea's mandatory military service requirements.

"Arirang" is scheduled for release March 20.