Ask AP529 | Episode 12: Why is 'ARIRANG' BTS’ 5th Studio Album?
This post was written by Leslie Day
Welcome to Ask AP529 where YOU get to utilize OUR brain wrinkles to find answers to your most burning BTS-related questions. This one came up several times in our Discord server after BTS announced ARIRANG, their 5th Studio album.
The Weverse announcement says the new album will be their 5th album. Haven’t they had more?
Answer: Yes. And no. In the music industry, releases are categorized by length and format. While it feels like we’ve added dozens of CDs to our shelves over the years, ARIRANG will technically be BTS’ fifth full-length studio album (also known as an LP).
So, what about all the others? Grab a beverage, settle in, and let’s look at how their discography breaks down.
Understanding Album Types
BTS has released seven mini albums, four studio albums (soon to be five), five repackage albums, one anthology, one OST, and four Japanese albums. I’ve organized these into charts below so you can see exactly where each one fits.
Mini Albums (EPs)
A Mini Album, or EP (Extended Play), is a shorter release typically containing 4 to 7 tracks. It sits right between a single and a full-length album in terms of length and budget. This is the go-to format for the frequent comebacks often seen in the K-pop industry. It typically features a title track and several B-sides. Some BTS EPs have up to 10 tracks because they include skits, which count as tracks on the album even though they aren’t songs.
| Mini Album Title | Release Date | Track Details | Run Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 COOL 4 SKOOL | June 12, 2013 | 9 Tracks (7 Songs, 2 Skits) | ~27 Mins |
| O!RUL8,2? | Sept 11, 2013 | 10 Tracks (9 Songs, 1 Skit) | ~30 Mins |
| HYYH Pt.1 | April 29, 2015 | 10 Tracks (9 Songs, 1 Skit) | ~31 Mins |
| HYYH Pt.2 | Nov 30, 2015 | 9 Tracks (7 Songs, 2 Skits) | ~34 Mins |
| LOVE YOURSELF 承 'Her' | Sept 18, 2017 | 13 Tracks (9 Songs, 2 Skits, 1 Hidden) | ~30 Mins |
| MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA | April 12, 2019 | 9 Tracks (7 Songs, 2 Skits) | ~26 Mins |
| BE | Nov 20, 2020 | 8 Tracks (7 Songs, 1 Skit) | ~28 Mins |
Full Albums (LPs)
A Full Album, or LP (Long Play), is a major "Studio Album." These are substantial releases, typically with 8 or more tracks (often 12+) and a run time of over 30 minutes. These offer a more complete artistic statement. In the BTS discography, these usually feature intro/outro tracks, solo tracks, sub-unit songs, and B-sides that showcase their full range.
| Studio Album Title | Release Date | Track Details | Run Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| DARK & WILD | August 20, 2014 | 14 Tracks 14 Songs | ~51 Mins |
| WINGS | October 10, 2016 | 15 Tracks (8 Solo, 2 Unit, 1 Fan Song) | ~66 Mins |
| LOVE YOURSELF 轉 'Tear' | May 18, 2018 | 11 Tracks (1 Solo, 3 Unit, 1 Fan Song) | ~44 Mins |
| MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 | February 21, 2020 | 19 Tracks (7 Solo, 5 Unit, 2 Fan, 1 Collab) | ~70 Mins |
| ARIRANG | March 20, 2026 | 14 Tracks (Details TBA) | TBA |
Repackage Albums
A repackage is a re-release of a successful previous album—essentially a "deluxe" edition. It includes the original tracklist plus a few new songs (often between two to five), new remixes, and fresh concepts. Repackage albums typically feature, as the name implies, new packaging that includes new concept photos, photobooks, photocards, etc. It’s a strategic way to extend an album era’s lifespan and give fans fresh content without a year-long wait.
| Repackage Album Title | Release Date | Track & Content Details | Run Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKOOL LUV AFFAIR SPECIAL ADDITION | May 14, 2014 | 18 Tracks (2 New, 6 Hidden, 1 Skit, 2 DVDs) | ~43 Mins |
| HYYH: YOUNG FOREVER | May 2, 2016 | 23 Tracks (4 New, 1 Skit, 3 Singles, 5 Remixes) | ~66 Mins |
| YOU NEVER WALK ALONE | February 13, 2017 | 18 Tracks (3 New Songs, 1 Extended Song) | ~66 Mins |
| LOVE YOURSELF 結 'Answer' | August 24, 2018 | 36 Tracks (8 New, 2 Extended, 5 Remixes, 2 Collabs) | ~104 Mins |
| 2025 BTS FESTA: CAPSULE ALBUM Vol.1 | June 13, 2025 | 14 Tracks (7 OT7 Songs, 7 Solo Era Songs) | ~46 Mins |
Anthologies
An anthology is more than just a "greatest hits" collection. It’s a retrospective release that tracks a group's evolution. BTS’ PROOF is the perfect example, featuring demos, unreleased tracks, and new songs that offer a deeper look into their 10-year journey.
| Anthology Title | Release Date | Track Details | Run Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| PROOF | June 10, 2022 | 48 Tracks (3 New Songs, 13 Disc 3 Exclusives) | ~168 Mins |
Original Soundtracks (OSTs)
An OST is music created specifically for something like a movie or a TV series. Or sometimes, even a game—like the BTS World game. Unlike typical K-pop albums focusing on one group, OSTs serve as the musical backdrop to a visual narrative, blending various vocalists and composers under a single production. They often also have instrumental tracks to enhance the story’s mood and theme.
| Soundtrack Title | Release Date | Track Details | Run Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTS WORLD (Original Soundtrack) | June 28, 2019 | 14 Tracks (7 Vocal, 7 Instrumental, 5 Collabs) | ~46 Mins |
Japanese Albums
Japan is a crucial market for K-pop, and BTS has a dedicated discography for this market. These often feature Japanese versions of Korean hits alongside a few original Japanese tracks. Localizing the lyrics and concepts makes the music more accessible and allows for a unique connection with Japanese fans. And we are grateful—some of my favorite deep cut tracks are from this section!
| Japanese Album Title | Release Date | Track & Content Details | Run Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAKE UP | December 24, 2014 | 13 Tracks (4 Original, 9 Translated) | ~49 Mins |
| YOUTH | September 7, 2016 | 13 Tracks (3 Original, 10 Translated, DVD with MVs) | ~49 Mins |
| FACE YOURSELF | April 4, 2018 | 12 Tracks (5 Original, 7 Translated, DVD included) | ~44 Mins |
| MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 ~ THE JOURNEY ~ | July 15, 2020 | 13 Tracks (5 Original, 8 Translated, DVD included) | ~46 Mins |
Table Notes: Run times are approximate. In cases where digital run times are different from the CD run times, I chose the longer of the two. I also didn’t include single releases in English or Japanese because those songs tend to find their way on other albums. Information was compiled from BTS Wiki and the official BigHit page for BTS discography.
Celebrating BTS’ Fifth Album
Compiling these charts is just more ‘PROOF’ that for ten years, all BTS did was ‘RUN’. Seeing the sheer volume of music from Mini Albums to Japanese releases reminds us why they are where they are today. I’m excited to see what’s coming next with ARIRANG.
While we wait for the new era to drop, I’ve been falling down a rabbit hole. Scrolling through these old tracklists reminded me of how much personality their skits add to the albums. If you’re as curious as I am about the origin of skits on BTS albums, leave a comment below!
What’s on your mind? Our best guides start with a spark of curiosity from readers like you. Tell us what you’d like to explore next by submitting your question here.
CREDITS
YouTube/Web: BIGHIT LABELS; BTS Fandom wiki, Leslie’s spreadsheet, Doc’s spreadsheet