BTS is back with ARIRANG, and the comeback is already breaking records. However, amid all the excitement, one detail has sparked a wave of conversation across the fandom: Jin’s name does not appear in the writing or composing credits for any of the 14 tracks on the album. RM addressed it directly during a group livestream, and the explanation comes down to one thing: timing.
Why Does Jin Have No Writing Credits on ARIRANG?
On March 20, 2026, BTS held a group livestream via their official fan platform Weverse to celebrate the album’s launch. During the broadcast, RM addressed Jin’s absence from the liner notes openly.
RM explained that Jin’s solo world tour schedule directly overlapped with the period when BTS held their intensive songwriting camp in Los Angeles, running roughly between September and November 2025. By the time Jin finished his tour commitments and joined the camp, arriving exhausted, the core tracklist and recordings were already finalised.
Key reasons behind the credit gap:
- Jin’s #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR launched on June 28, 2025, in Goyang, covering Japan, the US, and Europe
- The remaining BTS members held their LA songwriting camp during this same window
- Jin joined the camp only after his final tour dates, by which point the album was essentially complete
- Because he did not write or compose any of the 14 tracks, his name does not appear in the liner notes as a credited writer or producer
The Netflix documentary BTS: The Return, dropping March 27, 2026, includes footage of Jin arriving at the LA sessions and joking about his late entry, adding further context to the timeline.
What Did the Members Say?
During the Weverse livestream, BTS members were candid and supportive. Suga also clarified how the album came together, explaining that the members took a more hands-on producer role this time, working alongside international producers to shape the album’s direction.
Jungkook showed support by patting Jin on the shoulder during the broadcast, a moment fans noticed and shared widely online. Jin kept his response warm and focused on the music itself rather than dwelling on the situation.
What Did Jin Do During the Military Hiatus?
Jin was the first BTS member to complete mandatory military service, receiving his discharge in June 2024. Rather than stepping back, he worked consistently to keep the team’s momentum going by:
- Releasing his first solo album ‘Happy’
- Launching the Run Seokjin series, a spin-off of BTS’s original Run BTS format
- Completing his solo world tour, the #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR, across South Korea, Japan, the US, and Europe
- Appearing in the Netflix variety series Kian’s Bizarre B&B and various other entertainment and YouTube content
RM acknowledged Jin’s efforts directly during the livestream, telling him that his role in maintaining the team during the hiatus was significant, and that he had never seen anyone who disliked Jin. Jimin also expressed gratitude, saying that thanks to Jin holding the team together, the album was able to come out at all.
How Did Fans React?
Fan reaction has been divided. Many within ARMY accepted the timeline explanation, noting that large-scale global tours are planned years in advance and that the overlap was a logistical reality rather than a deliberate decision.
However, some fans found the situation harder to reconcile, questioning whether schedules could have been structured differently to include all seven members in the early creative process. A clip from the livestream in which Jin appeared more reserved than usual went viral, with viewers interpreting his expression in different ways. Many fans urged caution, pointing out that brief moments are easily taken out of context with a group as closely watched as BTS.
A lighthearted exchange in BTS: The Return, in which Jin and V joke about Jin’s late arrival at the sessions, has also circulated widely. Fans were quick to clarify that the exchange reflected the group’s usual humour rather than any tension.
How Is ARIRANG Performing?
Despite the credits discussion, ARIRANG has launched to enormous numbers. According to Netflix’s announcement on March 25, 2026, the BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG concert at Gwanghwamun Square drew 18.4 million viewers on its launch day, ranked No. 1 in 24 countries, and entered the top 10 in 80 countries and regions. Social media mentions surrounding the comeback reached 2.62 billion, reflecting the scale of interest the return has generated globally.
BTS will also appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, airing on March 26 to 27, as their US promotional cycle continues.
The situation is straightforward on paper: Jin’s tour and the album’s production timeline simply did not align. However, what the credits cannot capture is the role Jin played in keeping BTS together during the military hiatus, something his bandmates made a point of saying out loud.
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