Tori Sheehan
Finally, after a four-year hiatus, BTS, the seven-member Korean boy band, have announced their comeback. The band are set to release an album in March and has made a tour announcement. However, details on the tour have not yet been released. Rumours spread during their mandatory military service of disbandment, with many people online claiming it will be just like One Direction’s “hiatus”. However, these rumours are officially false, as the band plans to release their fifth full-length album on 20th March.
Behind The Scenes of BTS
BTS debuted in 2013 with seven members under BigHit Entertainment. Unlike most internationally acclaimed K-pop bands, BTS weren’t formed under any of the big agencies. Giving them a lot fewer privileges in the industry. Despite this, the group has gone on to become the biggest K-pop band, paving the way for other Korean media and industries. In 2019, Time magazine deemed the group the “Princes of Pop”. That year, they were also put in the top 100 influential people of 2019. BTS were the first Korean band to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts in the US. The band’s last tour, “Permission to Dance on Stage”, which wrapped in 2022, made over $75 million. Setting high stakes and expectations for this new tour.
The Dreaded Hiatus
The seven-member boy band went on hiatus due to South Korean mandatory military service. The members announced their plans to enlist, after much speculation regarding their enlistment, on 14th June 2022. Gradually focusing on solo projects and releases while members slowly enlisted one after another. There was speculation surrounding whether the members would be exempted or not because, before the hiatus. The group made over $3.8 million, which is 0.2% of the country’s entire GDP.
The oldest member, Jin, left for the military in December 2022. The rest of his members followed in April, September and December of 2023. The last to be discharged from service was Suga, who was discharged on 21 June 2025. Within the last six months, the members have been hinting towards new music in livestreams and comments made on Weverse, a fan club member app.
What’s Next?
It’s not shocking that the members were dropping hints in the past six months, as it has been noted that this new album was created in the second half of 2025. This new full-length album is said to be “driven by each member’s honest introspection as they collectively shaped its direction by weaving their individual perspectives into the music.” A reflection of BTS’s journey so far and defining the group on their own terms. This will be the group’s first release since their anthology album, “Proof”, in 2022.
The announcement of the new album was followed by a world tour announcement. However, no dates or locations have been published yet. RM, the leader of the band, announced to fans how he has been “waiting for (this comeback) more than anyone else”. The new album has been placed in Pitchfork’s “The 55 Most Anticipated Albums of 2026”, alongside artists such as Björk, Beyoncé, and Gorillaz.
Fans across the globe are excitedly checking their savings over the past few years. Hoping they have enough money and luck on their side to get tour tickets.
