Charlie Puth clears air on BTS collaboration rumours after LA meet-up

Charlie Puth and BTS

Singer Charlie Puth recently clarified why he was seen spending time with members of BTS in Los Angeles, despite not appearing on the group's upcoming album ARIRANG. The sightings had sparked widespread speculation among fans, many of whom believed the American singer might be collaborating with the K-pop group on their highly anticipated comeback project.

Charlie Puth on hanging out with BTS members

The rumours began after photos and videos surfaced online showing Charlie Puth hanging out with several BTS members during their studio sessions in Los Angeles. In one clip, he was seen joking around with Jungkook while playing with a fidget spinner, while other moments showed him casually spending time with the group. Some members, including J‑Hope and V, also shared glimpses of their meet-up on social media, which further fuelled speculation about a possible collaboration.

Fans grew even more convinced after Puth appeared in promotional content related to BTS's "What's Your Love Song" campaign. As excitement built around the band's comeback album, many expected the singer to appear as a featured artist or contributor. However, when the official tracklist and credits for ARIRANG were released, Puth's name was nowhere to be found.

The absence quickly triggered questions online, with some fans wondering if he had simply been visiting the studio rather than working on the album. Responding to the speculation, Charlie Puth cleared the air in a comment on social media.

"I was recording my album in the other room, I stopped by to say hello! Love seeing the guys," he wrote, explaining that he was in the same studio building but not actually collaborating on the project.

Why isn't he a part of ARIRANG?

The clarification amused many fans, especially after memes began circulating about the singer possibly being there just to entertain Jungkook. Despite the misunderstanding, the interaction highlighted the friendly relationship between Puth and the BTS members.

Charlie Puth and Jungkook share a long-standing musical connection. The two first performed together at the 2018 MBC Plus X Genie Music Awards, where Jungkook joined Puth on stage for a performance of "We Don't Talk Anymore." They later collaborated on the global hit song Left and Right in 2022, which strengthened their musical partnership and friendship.

Meanwhile, BTS have been spending time in Los Angeles working on new music for ARIRANG. The album, which will mark the group's major comeback following their military service period, is scheduled to release on March 20, with the title track "SWIM."

Although Charlie Puth is not part of the album, his casual visit to the studio shows that the bond between the singer and the globally popular K-pop group remains strong.