By Jae-Ha Kim
Rolling Stone
July 7, 2026
Over a decade ago, a seven-member group from a virtually unknown label in South Korea dreamed of a “big house, big car, and big rings.” But thanks to a lethal mix of undeniable talent, remarkable lyricism, a relentless work ethic, magnetic personalities, and a few arresting dimples, BTS are now the biggest band on the planet. Members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook ultimately got their wish, but because they actually had something to say, they gained something much more valuable — the ability to break down walls and build bridges around the globe.
Listing all of the band’s accolades would take longer than it would to learn all of their fan chants at once, so here are a few: BTS have seven Number One albums to date and several chart-topping songs, five Grammy nominations. But at the core of BTS’ success is the unmatched relationship they have with their fan base, ARMY (“Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth”), fueled by a rich discography that transcends language and culture. Here, we highlight the songs that make up the kaleidoscope that is BTS’ message — of love for yourself and others, of introspection, of connection, and, of course, even a healthy bit of anarchy. (This list was originally published in 2022; we’ve updated it here with songs from their 2026 album Arirang.) From “Danger” and “Sea,” to “Butter” and “Body to Body,” we’ve ranked the 100 best BTS songs.
No. 6
‘Body to Body’
Arguably Arirang’s most creative and memorable track, “Body to Body” begins with a somber, futuristic intro and later includes a sample of “Arirang,” one of Korea’s most famous songs. “If you’re a Korean, everyone knows [‘Arirang’],” RM told Rolling Stone. “We are all rooted in Korea.” Often regarded as the country’s unofficial anthem, “Arirang” is a song of resilience and hardship. The brilliance of “Body to Body” lies in the juxtaposition of modern hip-hop beats and synthesizers with the mournful gayageum (Korean zither) and janggu (hourglass-shaped drum). That 30-second sample elevates both the mood and tonal quality of “Body to Body,” while introducing a part of Korea’s musical history to international fans. But just as listeners get lulled into a trance near the song’s end, RM raps over a propulsive backbeat, “I need the whole stadium to jump!” —Jae-Ha Kim
In their documentary film BTS: The Return, the members reflect on the impermanence of time. “Into the Sun” is their promise that as long as ARMY exists, so will BTS. Just under four minutes long, this earworm plays out like an arthouse film. The first minute begins with unexpected vocoded harmonies, with BTS sounding like a twangy country and western group that is aware of how sweet words can break hearts (“Baby, you remind me/I want someone like you/Fires are never dying”). But once the rap line kicks in during the second minute, “Into the Sun” becomes more intentional with the promise of love, yearning, and devotion. It’s the searing, lush, and anthemic ending, though, that reinforces the septet’s high emotional IQ. BTS are in this Bangtan life forever with ARMY, and will always follow them into the sun. —Jae-Ha Kim
The sound of knives being sharpened coexists with lush string arrangements on this chaotic hip-hop song. Produced by El Guincho (Rosalía), “Hooligan” is filled with trap beats and bass drums that drive the unflinching track. BTS excel at writing songs where hardcore raps fit in smoothly with rich vocals. But here, they lean into their sarcastic side, even sounding somewhat unhinged while executing the rhythmic triplet of, “Ha-ha-ha ha-ha-ha ha-ha-ha ha-ha-ha ha ha, hooligan.” During an appearance in New York, RM joked that the mocking string of ha-has was more difficult to execute than he expected. “JK wrote that line,” he said, “but I really hate it because it’s super hard to do.” Still, it’s the culmination of all the challenging things that BTS have conquered that have taken them to the top. When they sing, “What’s the future?/Where’s the now?,” they provide their own undeniable answer: “This is international/Make it unforgettable.” Done and done. —Jae-Ha Kim
You may read all the reviews in Rolling Stone here.
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