Hooligan stands out as one of the most talked-about tracks from BTS’ latest album Arirang , which recently debuted at No 1 on the Billboard 200. The song shifts into a more confrontational space, built on hard-edged hip-hop production and a tighter, more percussive sound than their recent releases.

Lyrically, Hooligan centres on rebellion and self-definition; pushing back against expectations, public scrutiny and the pressure of maintaining a global image. It frames the idea of being labelled an “outsider” or “troublemaker” as something to reclaim rather than reject, a theme that has resonated strongly with listeners.

Since the album’s release, Hooligan has drawn millions of streams across platforms, featuring prominently on global playlists and contributing to Arirang’s strong first-week numbers. As part of a chart-topping project, it stands as a key example of how the group continues to evolve while maintaining its global reach.