{
  "id": 9235537,
  "title": "BTS bridges centuries of Korean art with new ARIRANG merchandise line",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/bts-bridges-centuries-of-korean-art-with-new-arirang-merchandise-line",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T01:22:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20260923/bts-bridges-centuries-of-korean-art-with-new-arirang-merchandise-line"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "BTS, the renowned K-pop group, is merging Korea's rich cultural heritage with contemporary pop culture in its latest merchandise line, inspired by the ARIRANG album. The 2026 BTS DALMAJUNG collection, set to launch on September 29, 2026, will be available at a pop-up store in Seoul's HYBE Yongsan. This marks the fourth installment of the DALMAJUNG series and a second collaboration between BTS and the National Museum Foundation of Korea, following their 2024 partnership through MU:DS, the museum's merchandise brand.\n\nDrawing inspiration from Joseon-era folk painting munjado, the collection incorporates decorative images into Chinese characters, creating a unique blend of history and modernity. Additionally, the designers have also been influenced by the lyrics of \"Aliens,\" a track from the ARIRANG album. The phrase \"heungjeukdaegil,\" which conveys the idea that adversity can lead to great fortune, serves as a central motif in the collection.\n\nThe new line draws parallels between the theme of overcoming misfortune and traditional symbols of happiness and longevity, thereby bridging centuries of Korean art with modern merchandise.",
  "summary": "K-pop icon BTS is seamlessly blending heritage with modern pop culture in its latest merchandise collection, weaving traditional Joseon Dynasty folk art (munjado) into the visual universe of its fifth studio album, “ARIRANG.” HYBE said Tuesday that the 2026 BTS DALMAJUNG merchandise collection will go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 29, with a pop-up store opening the same day at HYBE Yongsan in Seoul.…",
  "key_points": [
    "BTS launches 2026 DALMAJUNG collection on September 29, 2026",
    "Collection inspired by Joseon-era munjado and ARIRANG album",
    "Overcoming adversity theme connects centuries of Korean art"
  ],
  "editors_take": "BTS's new merchandise line embodies the group's effort to fuse Korea's cultural heritage with modern pop culture, reflecting a theme of transforming adversity into fortune through traditional symbols.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "BTS bridges centuries of Korean art with new 'ARIRANG' merchandise line",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/bts-bridges-centuries-of-korean-art-with-new-arirang-merchandise-line-9239431",
        "published": "2026-09-23T01:47:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}