BTS confirms return, announcing new music and a world tour coming in 2026
After a long-awaited reunion, the beloved K-pop group BTS has announced their comeback in the spring of 2026 with a new album and world tour. The seven members, Jin, RM, V, Jimin, J-Hope, Jung Kook, and Suga, shared the exciting news during a livestream on Weverse, a fan platform owned by their management company Hybe. This marks the first time all seven members have appeared together live since September 2022.
“We’ll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year. Starting in July, all seven of us will begin working closely together on new music,” the group stated. “Since it will be a collaborative album, each member’s unique thoughts and ideas will be reflected. We are approaching this album with the same passion and dedication as when we first started our journey together.”
The upcoming 2026 album will be BTS’s first release since their 2022 anthology, “Proof,” their Japanese compilation album “BTS, the Best” from 2021, and their last studio album “Be” from 2020. Additionally, the group revealed plans for a world tour, their first in nearly four years. This exciting news comes shortly after RM, V, Jimin, and Jung Kook completed their mandatory military service in South Korea.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 to 28 are required to serve in the military for 18 to 21 months as part of a conscription system. While six of the BTS members fulfilled this obligation, Suga served as a social service agent, an alternative to traditional military service. Jin, the oldest member, was discharged in June 2024, followed by J-Hope in October.
Traditionally, athletes and certain musicians are eligible for special exemptions from military service in South Korea. However, K-pop stars and entertainers are not included in these exemptions. In 2020, BTS postponed their military service following a revision to the Military Service Act, allowing K-pop artists to delay enlistment until the age of 30.
As the anticipation builds for their highly-anticipated comeback, fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the release of BTS’s new album and the announcement of tour dates. Stay tuned for more updates on their exciting return to the music scene in 2026.
