Producer Tyler Spry detailed the creation of BTS' chart-topping album ARIRANG in a Billboard interview. He described the Los Angeles writing camp where lead single 'Swim' emerged in under 30 minutes. The project marks the group's first since 2022, following members' military service.
Tyler Spry, who previously contributed to Bad Bunny's 'DtMF,' joined BTS' ARIRANG sessions after pitching ideas early in 2025. His R&B track 'Please' secured his place at a summer 2025 writing camp at Conway Studios in Los Angeles, organized with Ryan Tedder's Runner Music team. Collaborators included Diplo signee Leclair, James Essien, Sean Foreman, and Sam Homaee, with additional talents like Diplo, Kevin Parker, El Guicho, and JPEGMAFIA involved overall. Parts of these sessions appear in the Netflix documentary BTS: The Return. Spry told Billboard, 'Some of the best songs just fall out of thin air.' For 'Swim,' a rough beat led to Tedder freestyling a verse, with RM refining it to fit the group's vision as the lead single. The track topped the Billboard Hot 100, Global 200, and Global Excl. US charts, while ARIRANG debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Finishing vocals occurred in Seoul under a tight March deadline, with Spry receiving mixes from Pdogg late at night. He praised BTS members' collaboration: Jung Kook as an 'amazing songwriter,' V as 'warm and funny,' RM as the 'older brother,' and SUGA for freestyling raps freely. Spry noted unused tracks from the camp may appear on future projects or solos. 'I’m amazed by the response,' he said of the reception, highlighting the album's ambitious sound rooted in Korean heritage.
