This article is by Woo Ji-won and read by an artificial voice.

A pop-up store for BTS's long-awaited fifth studio album "Arirang" opened Friday, welcoming fans from around the world to explore the group's latest universe while getting their hands on new merchandise.
"BTS Pop-up: Arirang" opened at 1 p.m. on the fourth floor of The Heritage at Shinsegae The Main in Jung District, central Seoul. A separate pop-up store is also running at HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan District.
The space unfolds in two parts: an immersive exhibition zone that brings the concept and message of "Arirang" to life, and a merchandise area packed with new releases.

Look down, and one will find the Big Dipper constellation spread across the floor, with each star representing the group's seven members. Surrounding it like a digital Stonehenge are seven vertical screens, each showcasing a member — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — while a horizontal screen on the opposite side displays a photo of the whole group together, welcoming fans in unison.

A large red circular table, dotted with a few holes like a billiards table, is scattered with white balls labeled with five keywords: "Peace," "Hope," "Love," "Dream" and "Trust." Visitors pick the word that best reflects their idea of love, then roll the ball across the surface, watching as it collides and moves unpredictably with others.
"Through how the balls move — whether they drop straight in, stop midway or collide with others — the installation visualizes how one's form of love connects with others," said Seo Ji-young, who helped design the space.
Encircling the installation are four themed walls, each inspired by a different version of the album: "Living Legend," "Rooted in Music," "Rooted in Korea" and "LP."

One wall displays LPs in different colors personally selected by each member, paired with their portraits. Another showcases the "Living Legend" version, featuring items included in the album box set.
Across the room, guitars and music-related items such as cassette tapes, headphones and microphones bring the "Rooted in Music" concept to life, while black-and-white photographs from the album photobook line the "Rooted in Korea" wall.

At the far end, another interactive station titled "What Is Your Love Song?" invites fans to create their own moment. On an iPad, visitors select a track from the "Arirang" album, choose a logo and enter their name or initials. Once they tap the "Scan" button, a large screen displays the selected track's lyrics along with a BTS image and a handwritten-style message from the members. Different messages are featured for different tracks.
A message for the track "2.0" reads: "Thank you for patiently waiting. Damn, it was so long for me too! This is the 2.0. I fxxxxx missed you all!!! Are we on the same page? Wonders and wander..."
For the track "Swim," the message says: "It's been so long since all of us met ARMY, we're already nervous. Let's meet as much as we want next year. Wherever ARMY is, we'll come to you," accompanied by a heart with "ARMY" and "BTS" written inside.
In the next room, the "Arirang" concept runs through the merchandise.

On offer are 18 official items, including T-shirts for 59,000 won ($40) featuring individual members and group images, as well as hoodies in pink at 139,000 won with "What is your love song?" printed on them, along with black versions with abstract paint-style designs for 149,000 won.
Five items created in collaboration with the Cultural Foundation of the National Museum of Korea's MU:DS brand add a distinctly Korean-heritage touch — from a shoulder bag embroidered with motifs inspired by the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok to layered skirts and uniquely designed hair clips based on the album logo.

Hairpins combined traditional curves with modern materials, while sleek cardholders are made with smooth fabric.
Other items include key chains featuring the three-sphere motif or a message-shaped cushion for 39,000 w...