How Seven Korean Students in 1896 Recorded The First Arirang, And Inspired BTS The animated trailer for BTS's upcoming "Arirang" project has sparked renewed interest in a historical moment that connects the group to a group of Korean students who recorded the folk song over a century ago. The trailer, which opens with a scene set in 1896, depicts seven young men gathering around a phonograph as the melody of Arirang plays. The narrative then transitions to their journey across the Pacific Ocean, their recording of the song in Washington, D.C., and a modern-day performance by BTS under purple lights—a color symbolic of the group’s fanbase. This visual bridge between past and present highlights the enduring cultural significance of Arirang, a song that has evolved from a historical recording to a global phenomenon. The story of the 1896 students is rooted in a lesser-known chapter of Korean history. According to historical records, six young men—Im Byung Goo, Lee Bum Su, Kim Hun Sik, Ahn Jung Sik, Eyo Byung Hyun, and an unidentified student—fled Japan in the spring of 1896 after allegedly stealing money from a Korean bank. They sought refuge in Washington, D.C., where they were eventually housed at Howard University. The university’s Executive Committee provided free accommodation in Clark Hall, while the Korean envoy to the U.S., Suh Kwang Bum, covered the cost of furniture. This support came at a critical time, as the students had run out of funds after leaving Japan and found themselves stranded in Canada. Howard University, founded in 1867 to educate formerly enslaved African Americans, became an unlikely but vital sanctuary for the students. Racial barriers in the U.S.#bts #arirang #howard_university #alice_c_fletcher #library_of_congress
