NEW YORK — The popular K-pop group BTS is gearing up to make a much-anticipated return with both a new album and a world tour slated for spring 2026. The band, consisting of members Jin, RM, V, Jimin, J-Hope, Jung Kook, and Suga, shared the exciting news during a livestream on Weverse, a fan platform run by BTS’s management company, Hybe. This marked their first group live broadcast since September 2022.
In a statement, BTS revealed, “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.” They emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, noting, “Since it will be a group album, it will reflect each member’s thoughts and ideas. We’re approaching the album with the same mindset we had when we first started.”
The band is set to travel to the United States this month to kick off the creative process for their upcoming music endeavors. This album will mark their first major release since their 2022 compilation, “Proof,” preceded by the 2021 Japanese anthology, “BTS, the Best,” and their 2020 studio album, “Be.”
In addition to the new music, BTS announced an upcoming world tour, which will be their first major tour in nearly four years. This announcement follows closely after members RM, V, Jimin, and Jung Kook completed their mandatory military service in South Korea.
In South Korea, male citizens aged 18 to 28 are required to serve 18-21 months in the military due to tensions with North Korea. Most BTS members have fulfilled this duty, with the exception of Suga, who served as a social service agent—a recognized alternative to traditional military service. Jin, the group’s oldest member, completed his military obligations in June 2024, while J-Hope finished in October.
Exemptions from military service are typically reserved for athletes and certain artists who significantly boost national prestige through achievements in global competitions. K-pop idols and entertainers, however, are usually not granted these exemptions. In a turn of events, a 2020 amendment to South Korea’s Military Service Act allowed K-pop stars, including BTS, to delay their enlistment until age 30, temporarily pausing their mandatory service obligations.