Global K-pop sensation BTS has officially confirmed their return to music with a new album and world tour, ending a nearly four-year hiatus that began when members entered mandatory military service.
The seven-member group will release their new album on March 20, 2026, according to an announcement from their entertainment company BigHit Music. The comeback marks their first group release since 2022’s anthology “Proof,” and their first studio album since 2020’s “Be.”
BigHit Music confirmed the date in a social media post on X, formerly Twitter, writing “March 20th comeback confirmed.” The announcement comes after all seven members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service, with rapper Suga being the last to be discharged in June 2025.
The group had previously teased both a world tour and new album for spring 2026, announcing last summer that they would begin working on the project in July 2025. According to the NBC LA Entertainment report, the members stated the album “will reflect each member’s thoughts and ideas” and that they’re approaching it “with the same mindset we had when we first started.”
The hiatus allowed each member to focus on solo projects while serving staggered military terms. RM, Jin, Jimin, V, Jung Kook, and j-hope served in the army, while Suga completed alternative social service due to a shoulder injury.
BTS’s return is highly anticipated by their global fanbase, known as ARMY, particularly in Southern California where the group has performed to sold-out stadium shows. The world tour announcement suggests Los Angeles will likely be included in the itinerary, though specific dates and venues have not yet been revealed.
The 2026 comeback represents a significant moment for the music industry, as BTS has consistently broken records and expanded K-pop’s global reach since their debut in 2013.
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