"Hooligan" is a song by South Korean boy band BTS and from their tenth studio album, Arirang (2026). It was produced by El Guincho, Fakeguido, Jasper Harris and Ghstloop and contains a sample of "Yang Tse-Kiang", written and performed by Michel Magne. BigHit Music released the song as the second single from Arirang on April 7, 2026.
Composition "Hooligan" has been described as alternative hip-hop. The production blends strings arrangement from "Yang Tse-Kiang", written and performed by Michel Magne, with a percussion rhythm resembling the sound of sharpening blades. In both Korean and English, the BTS singers each perform the sung-through part in the chorus in falsetto, while the rappers perform the verses in an aggressive, braggadocious style. Lyrically, they reflect on their journey to success and assert their global dominance.
Critical reception The song received generally positive reviews. Nicole Fell of The Hollywood Reporter considered it one of the most interesting tracks on Arirang. Consequence's Wren Graves called it "glitchy and infectious". Michael Cragg of The Guardian described BTS as "adept" at "riding Hooligan's metallic experimentation". Mark Savage of BBC regarded the song as "equally audacious" as their song "Fya". Writing for The New York Times, Jon Caramanica commented that the song evokes the style of music from 1940s films, calling it "a thrilling tug of war". Rhian Daly of NME stated that the song "dials up the fun and takes things into satisfyingly strange sonic territory". Pitchfork Joshua Minsoo Kim remarked that "The beat's contrasting elements befit the whiplash in vocal deliveries: RM gives off a cartoonish villain laugh while V and Jimin deliver soaring vocals." Vulture Craig Jenkins criticized the song, writing that the BTS members "spend too much time admiring the beat". Awards and nominations + Award ceremony Year Category Result Berlin Commercial Awards 2026 Craft: Editing Craft: Costume Styling The Fact Music Awards 2026 Best Music – Summer
Charts
Weekly charts + Chart (2026) Peakposition Bolivia (Billboard) 4 Chile (Billboard) 7 China (TME Korean) 8 Ecuador (Billboard) 12 Ecuador Streaming () 15 Greece International (IFPI) 13 Hong Kong (Billboard) 7 Japan Combined Singles (Oricon) 41 Latvia Streaming (LaIPA) 12 Malaysia (IFPI) [Select 2026 Week 14] 16 Malaysia International (RIM) 4 Mexico (Billboard) 17 Middle East and North Africa (IFPI) 17 Panama Streaming () 12 Peru Streaming () 4 Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100) 60 Romania (Billboard) 22 Russia Streaming (TopHit) 69 Singapore (RIAS) 3 South Africa Streaming (TOSAC) 94 South Korea (Circle) 16 South Korea Hot 100 (Billboard) 8 Taiwan (Billboard) 4 United Arab Emirates (IFPI) 12 Vietnam (IFPI) 8
Monthly charts + Chart (2026) Peakposition Brazil Streaming (Pro-Música Brasil) 24 Panama Streaming (PRODUCE) 40 Russia Streaming (TopHit) 77 South Korea (Circle) 42
Release history + Release history and formats for "Normal" Region Date Format(s) Label Various BigHit
References