The Korean version was released on September 18, 2017, as the lead single from the band's fifth extended play Love Yourself: Her (2017) by Big Hit Entertainment.

Both versions were written by "Hitman" Bang, Supreme Boi, KASS, Suga, RM, Pdogg, with the latter of the six solely handling production.

The band's US television debut performance of "DNA" at the 2017 American Music Awards received positive reviews from critics.

[6] "DNA" was released for digital download and streaming in various countries by Big Hit on September 18, 2017, as the lead single from Love Yourself: Her.

[7][8] A "Pedal 2 LA" remix version of the track was recorded and subsequently included on the band's third compilation album, Love Yourself: Answer (2018).

[25] The chorus utilizes an instrumental breakdown composed of rising-falling synth-line over acoustic guitar, accompanied by heavy Auto-Tuned vocals.

[32] Lyrically, the song explores the theme of fate and love at first sight, through lines like: "I knew you from first sight/ As if we have been calling for each other/ The DNA in my veins tells me/ You're the one I’ve been searching for.

Writing for Idolator, Jacques Peterson regarded the song as "fizzy, candy-coated EDM" and likened the acoustic guitars in the production to that of Swedish DJ Avicii.

[19] Peterson also wrote another article for the same publication where he praised the "musical bells and whistles" in the song's production which "completely transcends racial and language barriers for a truly global sound.

"[38] Billboard's Tamar Herman appreciated the balance of "powerful EDM elements and softer harmonies" and likened the whistling to Selena Gomez's song, "Kill Em with Kindness" (2016).

[20] Caitlin Kelley, also of Billboard, cited the track as "one of those rare instances when a K-pop act's transmutation of their American influences was reflected back at the U.S. in full Technicolor.

"[17] Hyun-su Yim, also of The Korea Herald, acclaimed the song for its "whistled hook", "feather-light guitar riffs" and "generous use of the pop-drop.

"[40] Reviewing for The New York Times, Jon Caramanica favoured the "shuddering club-music drops" in the production and also likened the guitar intro to that of Shawn Mendes.

"[42] Writing for The Malaysia Star, Chester Chin shared a similar view, describing the track as a "livewire EDM banger.

In 2023, "DNA" became one of the first K-pop songs (along with Blackpink's "Whistle") to be inducted into Korea World Music Culture's Hall of Fame.

[74] On February 9, 2018, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for track equivalent sales of 500,000 units.

[5][90][93] The video then switches to show him joining the rest of the band as the whistling continues and they start dancing, being backed by gentle guitar strumming.

[35] The clip alternates between close-ups of each member staring directly into the camera and group shots of the band performing "complex, floor-sweeping" choreography in multiple vibrant coloured CGI-enhanced sets.

[5][20] In some of these scenes, the members are dressed in casual basketball jerseys and jumpers of bold primary colors, while in others, they wear retro-themed outfits.

[35] During the final chorus, the visual depicts images of actual DNA as BTS hold hands and impersonate the chemical structure of the molecule through choreography.

"[94] Arim Kim from The Korea Herald connected the music video with the song's lyrics writing that it exudes "a vibrant and bombastic energy" depicting love "in full blossom.

"[35] Alex Rees of Cosmopolitan enjoyed the clip, calling it a "trippy fun" video and also deemed the choreography as "killer.

[100] It also became the first music video by a K-pop boy band to attain the milestone making BTS the third Korean act to achieve this.

[23][110] Jennifer Drysdale of Entertainment Tonight labelled the performance as "energetic" and "mind-blowing" with "some of the most intricate choreography of any pop boy band ever.

"[111] Mary Wang of Vogue praised the "characteristically tight choreography" and "coordinating" on-stage fashion style of the band.

[109] Maura Johnston of Rolling Stone chose the performance as one of the best moments of the awards show writing, "BTS’ synchronized moves and the lovelorn lyrics of 'DNA' make them feel like a bit of a throwback to the TRL era, but their forward-thinking music, which borrows from Kpop's meticulously detailed sonics and hip-hop's spaced-out beats, places them ahead of the late-2010s’ pop pack.

"[112] Melendez of Spin lauded the "complex choreography", "rapid fire footwork" and "an on-the-nose double helix formation" of the band.