Licensing Traditional Music for Your Podcast: Lessons from BTS Naming an Album ‘Arirang’

Why traditional music licensing matters for podcasters — and what BTS’ Arirang moment teaches us

Feeling stuck when a song would elevate your episode but you don’t know who to ask — or what to pay? You’re not alone. Podcasters and publishers routinely hit legal and ethical roadblocks when using folk music or traditional songs: is it public domain, who owns the arrangement, and how do you avoid cultural harm while honoring the source?

When BTS announced their 2026 album title Arirang, they reminded the world that a single folk tune can carry deep cultural weight. As Rolling Stone notes, “the song has long been associated with emotions of connection, distance, and reunion.” That cultural power matters for creators — and it demands more than a license; it requires context, respect, and clear legal steps when you want to integrate traditional music into a podcast.

The landscape in 2026: trends podcasters must know

Before we dive into the how-to, here are the critical trends shaping music licensing and sound design in 2026:

• Rights portals and micro-licenses: By late 2025 several rights organizations and libraries rolled out simplified licensing portals aimed at short-form creators and podcasters. These portals make it faster to clear compositions and master recordings at tiered prices.
• AI and training dataset debates: Rights holders are enforcing clearer terms around AI-generated derivatives. If you plan to use AI to recreate a traditional melody or produce an “Arirang-inspired” bed, expect contractual clauses limiting model training or derivative rights.
• Public domain scrutiny: More governments and cultural bodies are clarifying what counts as public domain for traditional works — but public-domain status doesn’t erase cultural sensitivity or moral rights concerns.
• Metadata and discoverability: Platforms now expect richer metadata for episodes that contain third-party music, including composer and performer credits and clearance records. Good metadata increases discoverability and reduces takedown risk.

First principles: what you actually need to clear

When dealing with a traditional song like Arirang, you're often juggling two separate copyrights (or lack thereof):

• Composition rights — the melody and lyrics (if attributable). For many folk songs the original composition may be in the public domain, but recent arrangements or published transcriptions can be copyrighted.
• Master/recording rights — the specific recorded performance you might want to use. Even if the composition is public domain, a contemporary recording is almost always copyrighted.

That means you can’t assume a traditional song is free just because it’s old. Use this short checklist to determine what you must clear:

1. Identify the exact version: is it a field recording, a modern arrangement, a vocal performance, or an instrumental?
2. Confirm composition status: public domain vs. copyrighted arrangement.
3. Identify the master owner: label, independent artist, archive, or the performer themselves.
4. Check moral-rights and cultural-protection laws in the song’s origin country.

Practical example: BTS naming an album Arirang

BTS used a song title steeped in Korean heritage. Legally, a title is not copyrightable, so naming an album “Arirang” doesn’t trigger copyright clearance. But culturally, it signals a direct link to national identity and folk memory. That distinction is crucial for podcasters: legal clearance is one layer; ethical engagement with the source community is another.

“the song has long been associated with emotions of connection, distance, and reunion.” — Rolling Stone on Arirang

Step-by-step: How to find and clear a traditional song for your podcast

Here’s a practical route you can follow, with action items you can complete in a week if you move fast.

1. Research the song and its variants

• Start with academic sources, cultural heritage databases (UNESCO lists, national archives), and folk music anthologies to understand the song’s provenance.
• Search music databases (Discogs, MusicBrainz) for versions and releases — often the master owner is listed there.
• Listen to multiple recordings to determine whether you want a historic field recording, a modern arrangement, or an original re-creation.

2. Determine composition status

• If the melody/lyrics are ancient and of anonymous origin, they’re often public domain, but check your territory law — the U.S., EU, and other jurisdictions can differ.
• If using a specific arrangement, you must clear the arranger’s copyright even if the underlying tune is public domain.

3. Track down master rights

• For commercial recordings, contact the label or rights administrator listed on the release.
• For field or archival recordings, contact the holding institution. Universities and cultural institutes often have licensing offices.
• If you want a clip from a YouTube performance, identify the uploader and the original performance owner — don’t assume the uploader has rights to grant a license.

4. Choose the right license and negotiate terms

When you contact rights holders, be ready with specifics: episode length, territory, distribution channels, ad-supported or monetized, exclusivity, and duration.

• Master use license — required if you use an existing recording.
• Composition license — for the melody/lyrics. If the composition is administered by a PRO, you may need a public performance license or direct agreement.
• Work-for-hire or custom recording agreement — if you commission musicians to record an arrangement. Get a written contract assigning necessary rights.

5. Get everything in writing and preserve records

Verbal agreements are fragile. Obtain a signed license specifying:

• Usage rights (podcast distribution, social clips, promos)
• Duration and territory
• Payment and royalty structure
• Attribution requirements
• AI/derivative use permissions

When public domain does not mean “free to use” — and what to do instead

Even if a tune is in the public domain, you still face ethical and practical issues:

• Cultural sensitivity: Using a sacred or culturally sensitive version might upset the source community.
• Moral rights: Some countries grant performers moral rights over how their performance is used.
• Attribution and context: Public domain does not absolve you from crediting and explaining your usage choices.

Alternatives when public-domain usage feels risky:

• Commission an original composition inspired by the melody and credit it honestly (“inspired by Arirang”).
• Hire cultural consultants or collaborating artists from the tradition and pay them fairly.
• Use licensed modern recordings where the performers have been paid and credited.

Ethics and cultural respect: the non-legal checklist

Licenses protect you legally, but respectful use builds trust with audiences and communities. Use this checklist whenever you use traditional material:

• Do your homework: Explain the song’s cultural context in your episode notes or narration.
• Consult the community: Reach out to cultural organizations or musicians from the tradition for input and permission when appropriate.
• Acknowledge and credit: Provide detailed credits in episode metadata and show notes.
• Share economic benefits: Consider revenue-sharing, paying performance fees, or donating a portion of proceeds to cultural preservation.
• Be transparent about inspiration vs. replication: If your track is “inspired by,” say so — and don’t present it as an authentic field recording.

Sound design tips: using traditional music well without drowning your voice

Podcast sound design needs balance. If you’re using a folk melody as background or a bridge, follow these practical tips:

• Mix music under voice at -18 to -22 dB to keep dialogue intelligible.
• Use short excerpts (5–15 seconds) to reduce licensing costs — but remember even short clips may require permission.
• Create stems: get isolated stems from the rights holder or your session musicians to control volume and EQ without multiple re-records.
• Use ambient arrangements instead of the full vocal performance to avoid overshadowing your narrative while still invoking the song’s mood.
• Label music cues in your production notes and final episode metadata for discoverability and rights tracking.

Cost-saving strategies for podcasters on a budget

Licensing costs can be daunting. These practical hacks help you get authentic sounds affordably:

• Commission local musicians: Hire traditional musicians on a work-for-hire basis and secure a clear master and composition grant.
• Use creative commons with care: Some CC licenses require attribution and forbid commercial use — read the terms.
• Leverage creator-friendly libraries: Use libraries offering “podcast-friendly” tracks with simple pricing and clear usage terms.
• Negotiate non-exclusive, time-limited licenses: Rights holders often accept lower fees for limited-territory or short-term usage.

Documentation and metadata: protect your show and help rights holders

Good metadata safeguards you against takedowns and helps rights organizations track usage. Include:

• Song title and variant name
• Composer(s) and arranger(s)
• Performer and label
• License reference number and contact details
• Usage description (timecode where the clip appears, episode ID, distribution channels)

Dealing with takedowns and disputes

If a rights owner issues a claim or takedown:

• Stay calm and review your license. Often a takedown is automated and reversible if you can show your clearance.
• Provide your license details and cue sheets to the platform.
• If you were wrong, consider striking the episode, replacing the clip with an original or licensed alternative, and negotiate retroactive clearance if necessary.

Future-proof your approach: advanced strategies for 2026 and beyond

As the industry evolves, here are advanced moves to reduce friction and build credibility around cultural music use.

• Build relationships with cultural institutions: Partner with archives, universities, and cultural centers for access to licensed field recordings and advisory support.
• Negotiate long-form collaboration agreements: If you plan recurring use of a tradition, seek partnerships or revenue-sharing models that support cultural custodians.
• Use blockchain or smart contracts for transparent royalties: In 2026 several experimental projects are using smart contracts to pay performers and rights holders more efficiently. Evaluate these options carefully for legal compliance.
• Document consent for AI use: If you use AI tools to augment or recreate a folk melody, secure explicit permission from rights holders for model training and derivative uses.

Quick decision flow: Should you use the traditional song in your episode?

1. Is the song essential to the story? If no, consider a licensed or original solo instead.
2. Is the composition public domain? If yes, can you source a recording that’s ethically and legally usable?
3. Can you afford the licensing fees? If no, commission a custom arrangement and credit appropriately.
4. Have you consulted the community and documented permissions? If no, pause and reach out.

Final lessons from BTS’ Arirang choice — practical takeaways for podcasters

BTS’ decision to foreground Arirang demonstrates that traditional music can be a powerful storytelling tool. But it also reminds creators that cultural resonance is not the same as a free pass.

• Legal clearance is necessary but not sufficient — pair it with cultural consultation.
• Titles and references carry meaning: contextualize them within your narrative.
• Transparent credits, fair pay, and ethical framing turn a potential appropriation risk into a meaningful collaboration.

Resources and templates

To help you move from idea to cleared audio, here are the resources you should assemble:

• Template master use license (work with a lawyer to adapt)
• Work-for-hire musician agreement template
• Rights checklist spreadsheet (song ID, composition status, master owner, contact, license terms)
• Community outreach script for approaching cultural organizations

Closing: Make culturally informed choices that protect your show and honor the music

Using traditional and folk music in your podcast can deepen storytelling and connect listeners to shared human history, but it comes with both legal complexity and moral responsibility. By following the clearance steps, prioritizing ethical engagement, and leveraging new 2026 licensing tools, you can include songs like Arirang thoughtfully and legally — and maybe even build partnerships that enrich your show and support the communities behind the music.

Next steps: Start with a single action: identify one traditional tune you want to use and run it through the research checklist in this article. Document what you find, and if you need help turning that research into a clear license or a custom recording agreement, reach out to a podcast-savvy music clearance consultant.

Call to action

If you found this guide useful, download our free Podcast Music Clearance Checklist and three contract templates tailored for podcasters (master license, composer agreement, musician work-for-hire). Ready to clear a specific track? Book a 20-minute consultation with a pod4you production attorney to get a clearance plan you can execute this week.

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