Spotify’s system for upcoming music releases experienced a major crash after the pre-save link for BTS’s new album ‘ARIRANG’ went live. The technical issue, which temporarily blocked fans from accessing the “Upcoming Releases” tab, highlighted the immense global demand for the group’s first full-group album since their military service hiatus. This pre-release activity occurred as BTS announced their fifth album would be titled ‘ARIRANG’ and set for release on March 20, 2026 .
How the Spotify Crash Happened
Shortly after the pre-save option for BTS’s ‘ARIRANG’ album became available on Spotify, the platform’s “Upcoming Releases” section stopped working for many users . This tab is where Spotify users can find and save upcoming albums from their favorite artists before they are released. The sudden surge of BTS fans, known as ARMY, trying to access the pre-save link at the same time appears to have overwhelmed the system.
The crash was not limited to one country or region. Reports of the issue came from fans across the world, demonstrating the global reach of BTS’s fanbase. The problem was widely discussed on social media platforms, with the phrase “Spotify crashed” trending alongside BTS-related hashtags. While Spotify has not released an official statement about the cause, the timing directly coincided with the pre-save link going live, leading fans and observers to connect the two events.
A social media user noted, “And BTS is now trending on Melon real time search and X… look at how BTS [is] playing well before even start[ing] the actual game” .
Details About BTS’s New ‘ARIRANG’ Album
BTS’s upcoming album ‘ARIRANG’ marks a significant return for the seven-member group. This will be their first complete group album since the members began fulfilling their mandatory military service in South Korea. The album’s title references a traditional Korean folk song, ‘Arirang,’ which is deeply woven into the nation’s cultural history and symbolizes feelings of unity, sorrow, and love .
The group announced that the album will contain 14 new tracks . Pre-orders for ‘ARIRANG’ opened on January 16, 2026, the same day the pre-save link on Spotify went live and caused the technical issues . The official global release date is set for March 20, 2026 .
The announcement of the album title and release details immediately took over social media trends. Hashtags like #BTS_ARIRANG, #BTS_IS_COMING, and #BTSComeback2026 reached the top of worldwide trend lists on platform X following the news . The choice of a traditionally rooted title has resonated deeply with fans, who see it as the group reconnecting with their cultural origins.
One fan expressed excitement online, stating, “I love the title so much, it’s so authentic, so… them. ‘Arirang’ is more than folklore, it’s a feeling, it means unity, happiness, sorrow, love, serenity… I love that BTS goes back to their roots” .
Fan Reactions and Social Media Response
The reaction to both the album announcement and the Spotify crash was swift and massive across the internet. The technical glitch became a point of humor and pride for the BTS ARMY, with many joking about “breaking the internet” or, in this case, breaking a major music platform’s feature. Memes and screenshots of the non-functioning Spotify tab circulated widely.
On platforms like Facebook and Threads, posts about the Spotify crash garnered significant engagement, with hundreds of reactions, comments, and shares . The event underscored the powerful and immediate mobilization of the BTS fandom, which is known for its organized support.
Beyond the technical excitement, fans focused on the meaning behind the album’s title. Many international fans took to social media to research the significance of the folk song ‘Arirang,’ sharing its history and expressing appreciation for BTS’s choice to center their comeback on a piece of Korean heritage.
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The Road to ‘ARIRANG’ and BTS’s Comeback
The path to this album release has been highly anticipated. BTS’s activities as a full group slowed as members Jin, SUGA, j-hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook began enlisting in the South Korean military starting in late 2022. Their official group activities were paused during this period, making ‘ARIRANG’ their first collective musical project in several years.
The pre-save campaign is a common music industry strategy to gauge interest and ensure fans are notified the moment an album becomes available for streaming. The overwhelming response to BTS’s pre-save link demonstrates that global interest in the group remains at a peak level despite their hiatus.
Industry observers note that a successful pre-save campaign can lead to strong first-day and first-week streaming numbers upon an album’s release. The crash of a feature on a platform as large as Spotify, however, is an uncommon event that points to exceptional demand.
