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More than five years have passed since BTS released a full studio album. In March 2022, the band announced a longer break to give the members time for solo projects and to give mandatory military service in South Korea.
The return after a five-year break
During this time, ARMY was provided with releases from all seven members: “Layover” (V, 2023), “D-Day” (Suga, 2023), “Happy” (Jin, 2024) and “Echo” (Jin, 2025), “Golden” (Jungkook, 2023), “Indigo” (RM, 2022) and “Right Place, Wrong Person” (RM, 2024), “Face” (Jimin, 2023) and “Muse” (Jimin, 2024) as well as “Jack in the Box” (J-Hope, 2022) and “Hope on the Street Vol. 1” (J-Hope, 2024).
While the band took the opportunity to explore their individual sounds and creative identities, there is a strong desire to work together again. In 2026, BTS wants to make up for lost time with the release of their tenth studio album, a previously untitled work that is expected to be released on March 20th.
Less than a month later, an extensive world tour begins that will keep the band on the road for almost a whole year. “The year we’ve been waiting for is finally here,” Jimin wrote in a message to fans on January 1. Here’s everything we know so far about BTS’ long-awaited comeback, from the album to the tour.
Album work will begin in July 2025
ARMY have been anticipating the next BTS album since it was first hinted in July 2025. “We will be releasing a new BTS album next spring. Starting in July, all seven of us will be working closely together on new music,” the group explained at the time. “Since it is a group album, it will reflect the thoughts and ideas of each member.”
BTS emphasized that they want to remain true to themselves: “We approach the album with the same attitude as we did at the beginning of our career.” At the same time, they announced a world tour: “We will be visiting fans all over the world. We hope you are as excited as we are.”
“The music is going to be really great.”
“Most importantly, the music is going to be really great,” RM wrote to the ARMY in a post on X in November 2025. “Everyone is working hard. Look forward to it. 2026 Bulletproof Army Fighting.” He had already stated in August that they were working on new music “with great care”. “Creating something together with these friends is what I will fully dedicate myself to at this moment,” he said. “It’s our next album. I’m looking for what will become of me – something I’ve forgotten for too long.”
In December, Jungkook told Elle Korea that for him, good music continues to be “a song with a good message and good lyrics.” “Music that transcends seasons and genres and can give strength to everyone.” At the same time, he emphasized the importance of the comeback: “I believe this spring will be more important than ever. I sincerely hope that you all have a safe and beautiful spring.”
Start of the world tour in April
The BTS world tour is scheduled to kick off on April 9th at Goyang Stadium in South Korea. Full details of all venues are still pending, but initial dates extend through March 2027, with further dates to follow.
The band’s most recent headlining tour was BTS Permission to Dance On Stage (2021-2022). During the break, Jin, J-Hope and Suga went on solo tours. In the concert film “RunSeokJin_EP.Tour The Movie,” Jin said, “Performing without my members? Not even in my wildest dreams. I was nervous.” A performance isn’t complete without ARMY, he explained: “It’s the cheering of the crowd that drives me.”
More solo releases planned
In an interview with ROLLING STONE UK, Jungkook not only looked ahead to the next BTS album, but also to his solo career. “I’m really looking forward to the next BTS album, promoting it with the members and seeing ARMY again,” he said. At the same time, he wants to develop further as a solo artist, especially in street dance.
“During my time in the military, I couldn’t work on music even if I wanted to. It built up a lot of longing,” he added. J-Hope reported that the members shared their solo songs among themselves. “I played the song to all the members,” he said. “I was very happy that everyone enjoyed it.”
All roads lead back to BTS
The solo works ultimately serve ARMY and BTS. “In order to make music healthily as a team, we all go through personal growth,” J-Hope said on The Zach Sang Show. “When we come together again following our own paths, these experiences give us new strength and energy. And that is very close now.”