Imagining the BTS Arirang Tour Setlist: From Legacy to Rebirth

The moment BTS announced their return, one question immediately took over: What does a setlist even look like after everything they’ve released since 2020?

Between chart-dominating global hits, deeply personal solo eras, and now Arirang, an album that feels both rooted in identity and pushing into something entirely new, building a tour setlist suddenly feels impossible. Not just because of the sheer number of songs, but because of what each era represents. But if there’s one thing BTS has always done best, it’s storytelling.

And if early fan theories are anything to go by, the Arirang World Tour might not just be a concert; it could be a journey through who BTS were, who they’ve become, and where they’re heading next.

We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the Arirang setlist since the tour was announced, and now that the album has been released, we’ve been thinking about it even more. After studying past BTS setlists and playing the album (of the year) on repeat, we’ve given it our best shot at predicting what could make the cut… or at the very least, what would be pure ‘FYA.’ 

ACT I: The Legacy — “We’re Back”

Act I hits like a declaration. From the first beat, it’s clear: this isn’t a casual comeback. This is BTS reminding the world of their legacy, the fire that built their journey, and the raw energy that made them global icons.

The songs in this act lean heavily on early hits and fan favorites, packed with intensity, sharp choreography, and that undeniable stage presence that fans have come to expect. It’s not just a nod to the past; it’s a bold statement that every member is here, fully present, and ready to command the stage.

From iconic anthems to explosive medleys, Act I sets the tone for the rest of the show: a story that moves from history to transformation, legacy to rebirth. And it all begins with one simple truth: BTS is back, and they’re bigger than ever.

1. Body To Body

“I need the whole stadium to JUMP.”

If BTS wants to make one thing clear from the very first second of the Arirang Tour, it’s this: they haven’t lost an ounce of their power. Opening with ‘Body To Body’ would be a statement in itself. Driven by its commanding energy and RM’s now-iconic call for the entire stadium to jump, it feels less like a typical opener and more like a reintroduction; a reminder that this is BTS on a bigger scale than ever before.

Not to mention: hearing the traditional song of ‘Arirang’ in a stadium live? It’s going to be spine chilling. We’re learning the lyrics to sing along and hope other ARMY will, too!

2. ‘ON’

There’s no easing into this setlist, and ‘ON’ makes sure of that. With its marching-band intensity and larger-than-life choreography, it keeps the momentum from the opener going while grounding the performance in BTS’s resilience. It’s bold, it’s loud, and it reinforces exactly why they’re in a league of their own when it comes to stadium shows.

3. ‘FIRE’ / ‘FYA’

If the first two songs set the tone, ‘Fire’ turns it into full-blown chaos, and then ‘FYA’ keeps that flame burning. Not just clever wordplay, the transition is a bridge between eras, a nod to the past while fully embracing the new. Explosive, rebellious, impossible not to move to, this sequence is a perfect early-set reminder that BTS can ignite a stadium like no one else, blending nostalgia and freshness in one unstoppable wave.

4. ‘Run BTS’

Fans have been waiting years to see ‘Run BTS’ performed on a full tour stage, and placing it here on the Arirang setlist would be nothing short of iconic. It effortlessly bridges past and present, combining the group’s signature intensity with a newer edge. If anything is going to send the crowd into overdrive this early in the show, it’s this.

5. Medley: ‘Dope’ / ‘No More Dream’ / ‘Boy In Luv’

With a discography this deep, not every fan-favourite can have a full slot, but a medley like this is the perfect compromise. By weaving together ‘Dope’, ‘No More Dream’, and ‘Boy In Luv’, BTS delivers a rapid-fire burst of nostalgia that celebrates their early years without slowing the pace. It’s a reminder of where it all began, packed into one high-energy moment. BTS have been talking about how, for this era, they’ve gone back to their roots, and these songs do just exactly that.

6. ‘DNA’

‘DNA’ feels like the bridge between eras; the moment where BTS’s sound began to shift into something more global while still holding onto their identity. Placed here, it acts as a transition within the act itself, moving from their early intensity into the more polished, worldwide phenomenon they would soon become.

7. Medley: ‘Black Swan’ / ‘Fake Love’ / ‘Blood, Sweat & Tears’ 

This sequence would be nothing short of breathtaking. Flowing from the haunting elegance of ‘Black Swan’ into the emotional intensity of ‘Fake Love,’ and closing with the theatrical drama of ‘Blood Sweat & Tears,’ this section leans fully into BTS’s darker, more introspective side.

Not just a performance, a statement. A reminder that, beyond the hits and the hype, BTS have always been artists willing to explore vulnerability, temptation, and identity on a grand scale.

VCR: ‘No. 29’  — “The Turning Point”

If there’s one moment in this setlist that feels truly transformative, it’s ‘No.29.’ Built around the resonant sound of a historic Korean bell, the track is almost entirely silent: a pause that lingers, a sound that marks change. In a tour setting, it feels like the perfect dividing line. It’s easy to imagine this moment beginning with a VCR, grounding the audience in the bell’s origin, meaning, and cultural significance. As the video fades, the bell could reappear on stage, maybe struck by RM, maybe by all of them together, echoing through the crowd.

‘No. 29’ isn’t a song in the traditional sense. There are no verses to sing or choreography to perform, just the toll of the bell. Placing it in a VCR allows BTS to preserve its meaning while still giving it the space it deserves. It’s more than a track on a setlist; it’s a moment that connects Korean history, culture, and identity with BTS’s story in Arirang.

ACT II: Rebirth — “To Begin Again”

With Act I about legacy, then Act II feels like a release. Marked by the toll of ‘No. 29’, this is where the setlist begins again. Not by looking back, but by stepping forward into something new.

This section leans fully into Arirang: an era that feels both deeply rooted in identity and unafraid to evolve. The energy shifts. The storytelling softens, then rebuilds. And for the first time in the show, BTS aren’t just reminding us who they were. They’re showing us who they are now.

9. ‘SWIM’

After the intensity of Act I and the stillness of ‘No. 29’, ‘SWIM’ feels like that first breath back. It’s not explosive, and it doesn’t need to be. Instead, it reintroduces BTS in a completely different light, softer, more grounded, and almost weightless in comparison to everything that came before it. There’s something symbolic about placing it here, too. After the bell, after the pause, ‘SWIM’ feels like movement. Like stepping forward. Like learning how to exist in this new space.

As an opening to this act, it sets the tone perfectly. This isn’t about proving anything anymore. It’s about becoming.

10. ‘HOOLIGAN’

“Why this bassline slappin’ so rude?” If ‘SWIM’ is the reset, then ‘Hooligan’ is the spark. There’s a quiet confidence to this track that makes it feel instantly at home in a live setting. It doesn’t hit with the same aggression as Act I, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, it builds on the energy that ‘SWIM’ introduces, bringing back attitude in a way that feels fresh rather than familiar. 

Placed here, ‘Hooligan’ feels like BTS settling into this new version of themselves. Still playful, still bold, but no longer relying on the intensity of their earlier eras to command attention. They don’t need to go all out to own the stage anymore. They just do.

11. ‘Aliens’

‘Aliens’ is where things start to get a little more introspective. Sonically and thematically, it leans into that feeling of otherness that BTS have explored before, but here, it feels more refined. More self-aware. There’s a sense of distance in the track, like they’re observing themselves as much as they’re expressing anything directly. 

In this setlist, it serves as a strong continuation from the softness of ‘SWIM’ and the growing confidence of ‘Hooligan’, adding depth to the act. Because rebirth isn’t just about stepping into something new, it’s also about questioning where you stand within it. And ‘Aliens’ captures that feeling perfectly.

12. ‘2.0’

With Act II focusing on “rebirth,” then ‘2.0’ is where that rebirth finally takes shape. Long before Arirang was released, BTS had already hinted at a shift. From closing out their first chapter with PROOF to openly discussing what comes next, the idea of a “new era” has been building for years. And with ‘2.0’, they finally give that change a name. Placed here, it feels intentional.

Following the stillness of ‘No. 29’ and the gradual reintroduction through ‘SWIM,’ ‘Hooligan,’ and ‘Aliens,’ this is the moment where everything clicks into place. This isn’t just growth. It’s a reset. A redefinition of who BTS are, both as artists and as a group. On stage, it’s easy to imagine this being one of the most visually striking moments of the act. A full shift in styling, staging, and even choreography. Something that feels distinctly separate from everything that came before it.

13. ‘Normal’

Following the explosive energy of ‘Aliens,’ ‘Normal’ feels natural in a different way. It leans into introspection without losing momentum, grounding the act and giving fans a relatable moment amid the spectacle. That balance matters because, rather than rebirth being a flashy transformation, it’s about finding steadiness within chaos. ‘Normal’ captures that, letting BTS show that growth can be subtle, intimate, and still profoundly powerful.

14. ‘Like Animals’

After the clarity of ‘2.0’, ‘Like Animals’ feels instinctive. There’s something raw about the track that makes it stand out within this section of the setlist. It leans less into reflection and more into feeling, tapping into something unfiltered and immediate. Where earlier songs in the act explore identity, ‘Like Animals’ just exists within it.

That shift matters because rebirth isn’t always graceful. Sometimes it’s messy, unpredictable, even a little chaotic. And ‘Like Animals’ captures that energy perfectly, bringing a new kind of intensity into Act II without losing the sense of progression. It’s BTS fully stepping into this new version of themselves, not overthinking it, not holding back. Just moving.

15. ‘Into The Sun’

If ‘2.0’ is the statement and ‘Like Animals’ is the instinct, then ‘Into The Sun’ feels like the release. There’s a sense of openness to this track that makes it feel like the natural peak of Act II. It carries warmth, confidence, and a kind of quiet triumph that contrasts beautifully with where this section began.

Placed here, it feels like a resolution. Not a full-circle moment, not yet, but a clear step forward. A moment where BTS aren’t questioning who they are anymore, or adjusting to change, but embracing it completely. And in the context of the setlist, it does exactly what its title suggests. It moves everything into the light.

ACT III: Global Stage  — “Together Again“

After the reflective, rebirth-filled moments of Act II, Act III bursts into energy. This is BTS fully embracing their global identity: the bright, celebratory, stadium-filling side of the group that fans around the world have come to know and love. It’s playful, powerful, and unapologetically fun. Here, the storytelling shifts from introspection to connection, and the focus is on togetherness; both on stage and with the audience.

16. ‘Boy With Luv’ (Possibly shortened) 

Even in a shortened version, ‘Boy With Luv’ hits like a burst of light. Its playful hooks and catchy melodies make it the perfect bridge between introspection and celebration. In this setlist, it functions as the initial spark, reminding the crowd why BTS first captured hearts around the world while setting up the English trilogy of pop hits to follow.

The song’s energy is elevated live through tight, cheerful, interactive choreography, perfect for a stadium sing-along moment without detracting from the act’s forward momentum. And if it’s the funky disco version they’ve performed with a live band again? We’re both sat and also on our feet busting a move!

17. Medley: ‘Dynamite’ / ‘Butter’ / ‘Permission To Dance’

Here’s where Act III fully blossoms. By combining the English-language stadium anthems into a medley, BTS condenses the joyful, celebratory energy of their global pop identity into a single, unstoppable wave. 

‘Dynamite:’ the spark, the disco-pop joy that made the world dance along. ‘Butter:’ smooth, bright, flirtatious, and instantly singable. ‘Permission To Dance:’ optimistic and uplifting, closing the medley with an unshakable sense of community.

This medley works beautifully in context because it doesn’t overshadow the Arirang tracks, but it reminds everyone that BTS isn’t just a Korean group: they are a global phenomenon, and in a stadium setting, the energy here is electric. Whether you discovered BTS through the English trilogy or have been here to witness their rise to success from humble days, there’s no denying that they’ll be paying tribute to the phenomenal success that they gained in the early 2020s with them.

18. ‘Blue & Grey’

After the explosion of energy, ‘Blue & Grey’ serves as a delicate counterpoint. Placing it here gives the act, and the audience, a chance to breathe. The melancholic tones provide emotional depth amid the pop celebration, reminding fans that BTS’s music balances joy with vulnerability. It also subtly connects back to the themes of identity and reflection explored earlier in Act II, while the audience feels the comfort of the familiar stadium chants rising up, even in a softer moment.

19. ‘Life Goes On’

Building back into optimism, ‘Life Goes On’ is the quiet anthem of resilience. In the context of Act III, it bridges the reflective moments with the upcoming finale of the act. The audience sings along, the energy lifts, and there’s a communal sense that, no matter what, BTS and the fans move forward together.

20. ‘Spring Day’

A fan-favorite and emotional anchor, not to mention legendary in its own right, ‘Spring Day’ provides an intimate touch amid stadium-level energy. Its placement here allows the song’s nostalgic warmth to shine as a reminder of the enduring connection between BTS and their fans. It also serves as a subtle prelude to the final surge of the act: big, explosive hits that remind everyone why the first act opened with raw legacy power.

Not even an hour into the release of Arirang, our queen was fighting on the charts yet again. ‘Spring Day’ you will always be famous.

21. ‘Mic Drop’

The act closes with one last dose of unapologetic energy. ‘Mic Drop’ is a statement: bold, commanding, and fully in control of the stadium. After softer, reflective, and playful moments, this track reminds the audience of BTS’s roots in performance and power, signaling the transition toward the final, emotional reflection in Act IV.

22. ‘IDOL’

Ending the act with ‘IDOL’ solidifies the celebration of identity. It’s vibrant, theatrical, and interactive; the perfect bridge between the global pop celebration of Act III and the reflective, emotional Act IV. In this moment, fans experience both the spectacle of BTS’s performance and the intimacy of their shared journey. It’s colorful. It’s energetic. And it’s exactly what you want at the end of a high-powered, connection-driven act.

ACT IV: ENCORE — “The End… But Just The Beginning“

With Act III being about celebration and global pop energy, Act IV is the emotional home stretch. It’s where BTS step back from spectacle and let the songs do the talking; reflective, intimate, and deeply personal.

The title says it all: while the tour is reaching its finale, this is far from the end of BTS’s’ journey. It’s a moment to look back on all that has come before, feel the weight of shared history with their fans, and embrace the excitement of everything still ahead. Chapter one may be closing, but Chapter two is just beginning, and fans feel that promise in every note.

23. ‘Mikrokosmos’

Opening the encore, ‘Mikrokosmos’ is a familiar, shimmering anthem that connects BTS with every fan in the stadium. Its reflective, hopeful tone makes it the perfect first step out of the main set, allowing the crowd to sing along, light up the stadium, and share a quiet, emotional moment together.

24. Surprise Song

This is the magic of the encore. With 82 tour dates, BTS can swap in a wide variety of songs depending on the city, fan energy, or just how playful they’re feeling that night. Possibilities could include older singles like ‘Take Two,’ ‘Telepathy,’ or ‘For Youth,’ iconic fan faves such as ‘Run,’ ‘Epilogue: Young Forever,’ or ‘We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal,’ or tracks from Arirang that didn’t appear earlier, including ‘Merry Go Round’, ‘Normal,’ ‘They Don’t Know ‘Bout Us’, ‘One More Night,’ and ‘Please.’ Even hits like ‘Dis-Ease,’ ‘Silver Spoon,’ or ‘Airplane Pt.2’ could make an appearance. Maybe even ‘Just One Day,’ which, no matter your abilities in speaking Korean, we just all seem to be fluent when it comes to this song.

The beauty of this segment is that it’s less about choreography and more about connection: the band singing, the crowd joining in, and the feeling that anything could happen. Every night, this could be different, making each show a unique experience for fans lucky enough to be there.

25. ‘Yet To Come’

Closing the tour with ‘Yet To Come’ feels like the perfect emotional full stop. The song’s reflective, hopeful tone allows fans to breathe after the excitement, to look back on the night, and to look forward to everything still ahead. It’s the final reminder of the journey we’ve shared with BTS: from legacy to rebirth, from stadium energy to personal reflection, and back again. A song once full of emotion as Bangtan closed chapter one, this now offers a fresh new message: that with BTS’s return, the best is yet to come in our promising, long-lasting future together as BTS and ARMY.

With ‘Mikrokosmos,’ a surprise song, and ‘Yet To Come,’ the encore balances fan service, emotion, and storytelling, leaving the audience with memories they’ll carry long after the stadium lights dim.

As we imagined this setlist, it became clear just how much storytelling BTS packs into every performance. From legacy-defining hits to the transformative energy of Arirang, each song tells a piece of who they are, where they’ve been, and where they’re heading next.

Of course, BTS has always had a way of turning even the most carefully planned sequences into something living, breathing, and unexpected. Every choice, every transition, every medley, every pause and surge of energy, is intentional, crafted with the kind of care that only they can give.

Whether this exact setlist comes to life or not, what’s undeniable is the thought, artistry, and heart that will go into the Arirang Tour. And for fans, that’s more than enough reason to get excited, because it promises to be a journey full of moments we’ll feel, remember, and carry with us long after the final bell tolls.

So, ARMY! What do you think? What songs do you hope will be on the ARIRANG Tour setlist? How close to the official setlist do you think we are in our predictions? Let us know by tweeting us at @TheHoneyPOP or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram!

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