After nearly four years without releasing a project as a full group, BTS has finally confirmed the date of their long-awaited comeback. The South Korean boy group will release a new album on March 20, 2026.
The announcement was made directly by their agency, BigHit Music, officially bringing an end to the group’s extended hiatus since the release of their anthology album Proof in June 2022.
This album marks BTS’s first release after all members have completed their mandatory military service. Suga was the last member to finish his enlistment in June 2025. As a result, RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are now fully reunited and active as a complete group.
First Full Album in Six Years
According to BigHit Music, the album, scheduled for release at 1:00 p.m. KST on March 20—will be BTS’s fifth full-length studio album, featuring a total of 14 tracks. It is also their first original studio album since Be was released in 2020, ending a gap of more than six years between full studio albums.
The agency stated that the members were directly involved in the creative process. The songs capture the emotions, thoughts, and experiences they have gone through over the years, including their hiatus and military service.
The narrative of the album is also said to remain closely connected to BTS’s long journey with their fans.
A Personal Message to ARMY
Notably, BTS’s comeback date was not first revealed through social media. According to reports from Variety and E! News, the group initially shared the news through handwritten letters sent directly to the homes of official fan club members, ARMY.
Each letter was personally written by the individual members as part of their New Year messages. In the letters, the members expressed their gratitude for fans’ continued support throughout the hiatus, with the date “2026.03.20” stamped as a clear hint of the comeback.
Naver reported that for fans who did not receive a physical letter, the same messages will be shared on the Weverse platform in late January 2026, allowing ARMY around the world to access them.
Some excerpts from the letters were also revealed by the media. Jin wrote that after greeting fans for so long as a solo artist, he is finally able to greet them again as part of the team.
RM said he had been “waiting for this moment more than anyone,” while Jungkook asked fans to continue supporting BTS throughout the year. J-hope added, “Finally, it’s the year that we will all be together with you!!”
Tour Details Coming January 14
In addition to the album, BTS has also confirmed plans for a 2026 world tour. BigHit Music stated that detailed information regarding the tour schedule and destination cities will be announced on January 14, 2026.
The upcoming tour will mark BTS’s first world tour since Permission to Dance On Stage in Las Vegas in April 2022.
As part of the comeback rollout, BTS has also launched a new official website, 2026bts.com, which will be used to gradually release further updates related to the album and the world tour.
The Group’s Long Hiatus
BTS’s hiatus began in June 2022, when the group announced a temporary pause in group activities during their annual FESTA dinner, which was broadcast online. Shortly afterward, BTS confirmed that all members would enlist for mandatory military service, putting an end to public debate over the possibility of military exemptions.
In South Korea, men under the age of 30 are required to serve in the military for 18 to 21 months. During this period, BTS focused on their individual solo activities.
Prior to the hiatus, BTS was widely recognized for its significant impact on South Korea. According to data from a government-backed cultural and tourism research institute, BTS was estimated to generate more than 5.5 trillion won annually—equivalent to approximately 0.2 percent of the country’s total GDP.
This figure is frequently cited in media reports when discussing BTS’s influence beyond the music industry.
