What does K-pop sensation BTS have to do with the loneliest whale in the ocean?

The whale known as 52 has captured the attention of celebrities from Leo DiCaprio to BTS, the South Korean boy band.

The lone whale’s song was first detected by a classified underwater surveillance system designed for the Cold War era.

It sounded so distinct from any other whale sounds that it sounded mechanical. At first, the speculation was it could be a Russian or Chinese submarine.

For 12 years, the sound, coming from the whale, named 52 for the frequency of its song, was tracked. No other whale has ever responded.

In 2015, just two years after BTS debut its first album, it released a second album with the song Whalien 52 on it. The song details what it’s like to be alone even when surrounded by others.

You can hear the episode that talks about the Lonely Call of Nature here through Apple Podcasts

https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/swan-songs-the-lonely-call-of-nature/id1547298340?i=1000536546933

Or through Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3I6yo5AqonOVd2tYOkZwLz

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Peg Fong is also in recovery from newspapers

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