Ahead of BTS's comeback, ARMYs answer the group's question: 'What is your love song?'

For the better part of the past three months, BTS has been asking the world: "What is your love song?"

The question has appeared in billboards in various cities around the world, and most recently, in BTS's animated trailer for their upcoming album, "Arirang."

ARMYs being ARMYs, a lot of their favorite songs come from BTS's wide discography, which has everything from empowering pop tracks about self-love, to bubbly love songs, to angry diss tracks.

GMA News Online asked ARMYs about their favorite BTS song and why. It was not an easy question for them to answer.

“I feel like your favorite song often depends on what phase you are in your life,” said Charisse Vilchez, a 41-year-old PR practitioner.

Pauline Pinero, a 28-year-old advertising account manager added, “This is one of the hardest questions an ARMY would answer apart from asking ‘which one was your favorite ‘RUN’ episode.”

'Spring Day'

Starting off the list is the timeless "Spring Day," which is perhaps the most perfect soundtrack for BTS's return.

A pop ballad about knowing that hard days or darkness won’t last forever, "Spring Day" is a fan-favorite song released in 2017 in the album “You Never Walk Alone,” and is still present in Korean charts.

“It acknowledged the difficult times, but remained hopeful that the spring will eventually come,” Jahziel Lantin, a 29-year-old researcher from Batangas, said.

She added that listening to “Spring Day” comforts her especially when going through hard seasons.

“This song was released during a difficult time in South Korea and brought comfort to many, which makes the song even more special!” 

'134340'

Owen Madella, a creative from Paranaque City, said that his favorite tends to change, but he tends to play “134340” “a little too often.”

BTS based “134340” on the asteroid number scientists use to reference Pluto ever since it lost its place as a planet. 

“It’s a metaphor for feeling broken and insignificant like the demoted Pluto, but it doesn’t sound like a hurt man’s soliloquy at all,” Owen said.

He added that he imagines the song playing at a Poblacion bar or Comuna lounge, “and it won’t feel out of place.”

Released in 2018, “134340” is part of BTS's album "Love Yourself: Tear."

'Mikrokosmos'

Owen also shared that “Mikrokosmos” gets constant playtime in his playlist.

The song, a heartfelt song about people shining like stars or little universes, was released in 2019 as part of the album “Map of the Soul: Persona.” 

“It feels like a promise from the boys—lyrics go ‘You got me and I got you’—and to watch that performed live is the goal. I will likely tear up,” Owen said.

Jay Pangilinan, a Filipino based in Singapore, also said that “Mikrokosmos” is a song he keeps coming back to.

“It’s just beautiful, and I love the idea that everyone has their own light and their own worth, even when things feel dark,” he said.

'Yet to Come'

Jay shared that “Yet to Come” is another favorite.

“I like how reflective it is, but still choosing to be hopeful about what’s next.”

“Yet to Come” was one of the last singles BTS released before they went on hiatus and underwent their mandatory military service in 2022.

Part of the album “Proof,” it was not a goodbye to fans, but rather a “see you again soon.”

It is also BTS's way of promising ARMYs that while the past was "honestly the best," they'll return better than ever: "You and I, best moment is yet to come." 

'Paradise'

Ela, a 37-year-old from the Philippines, and Charisse, both have “Paradise” as their favorite song for its themes of chasing dreams while understanding that it’s okay to slow down. It is part of the album, “Love Yourself: Tear” from 2018.

“I heard it first when I felt like I was running a race that had no end in sight. It was comforting to hear that I wasn't alone in the matter,” Ela said.

Charisse added, “Life may feel like a marathon, especially when you’re in your 40s, but the lyrics offer comfort by saying: ‘It’s alright to stop. It’s okay to not have a destination. It’s alright to not have a dream. All the breaths you breathe are already in paradise.’"

Japanese songs

For Jizelle Bautista, a producer from Manila and Toronto, Canada and based in Amsterdam, her favorite is the Japanese song, “Lights,” for the reason that “that’s exactly what they are to me—and, honestly, to every single ARMY.”

“In your darkest, most uncertain moments, BTS gives you that small flicker of light that cuts straight through the dark,” Jizelle said.

“They don’t magically fix everything, but suddenly you feel a little braver, a bit steadier on your feet. And sometimes, that’s more than enough,” she added.

“Lights” is part of the Japanese album “Map of the Soul 7: The Journey.” It is another comforting BTS song about being there for each other.

Princess, a 38-year-old from Pasig City also enjoys the band’s Japanese songs, especially “Crystal Snow” because her bias, “Jin’s powerful vocals really shine there.”

From the Japanese album “Face Yourself,” BTS sings about two people loving each other but are drifting away as time is moving fast in “Crystal Snow.”

'The Most Beautiful Moment in Life' tracks

A BTS playlist is not complete without the songs from their iconic "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life" trilogy.

The coming-of-age albums released between 2015 to 2016 produced some of their most iconic hits, including "Save Me," "Run," "Fire," and "I Need U.'

Laura Magat, a 22-year-old student from Pasig City, has two favorites from this era: “Run” and “Butterfly.” 

She said she “found a certain connectedness” with the songs, and how they related to what she was dealing with back in junior high school.

“During that period of time in my life, I listened to these two songs to try and ‘escape' the reality I was living in,” Laura said. “Imagining myself running away from everything and everyone just to find my own peace of mind.” 

“In a way, throughout the years, these songs along with their other songs helped me a lot in staying mentally sane.”

After a four-year hiatus, BTS is set to make a comeback with their new album, "Arirang," on March 20.

The album will have 14 songs, led by the title track "Swim."

The South Korean supergroup just unveiled the album cover and released an animated trailer inspired by the story of the seven young Koreans from 1896 who first recorded the Korean folk song "Arirang." —JCB, GMA Integrated News