BTS members have reunited after completing their mandatory military service in South Korea, marking the end of a two-year hiatus. In a July 2025 Weverse livestream, the group announced a new album for spring 2026 and a accompanying world tour. The septet expressed excitement about returning to music together following successful solo endeavors.
The seven members of BTS—RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook—completed their required 18-month military enlistments by June 2025, with the last five finishing that month after Jin and j-hope enlisted earlier. This followed their last group album, Be, released in 2020, which topped the Billboard 200 and featured No. 1 Hot 100 hits like "Dynamite" and "Life Goes On." Subsequent singles "Permission to Dance" and "Butter" also reached the top spot, solidifying their global stardom before the pause.
During service, each member pursued solo projects, including singles, EPs, albums, and collaborations, enhancing their individual artistry. Leading up to the reunion, members shared optimistic views. In June 2024, RM wrote on Weverse, "I miss the members so much... I’m looking forward to next summer," emphasizing fans' enduring support. That December, j-hope told Weverse Magazine, "After pursuing our own little ventures, we are now coming back together... I want to come back in style and say, ‘This is us. This is BTS.’" RM added that solo experiences would positively influence the group's next chapter, stating, "The experience of being able to be completely free and honest will have a good influence on our team."
In January 2025, Jimin admitted some apprehension in a Weverse letter: "There’s also a little fear... but my determination to give you the best stage possible has not wavered." By April, j-hope predicted "massive energy" from the reunion, noting how solo work refined their identities. Jin, on The Tonight Show in May, said he would honor his bandmates: "They are my lifesavers, so I need to show my appreciation."
The pivotal moment came on July 1, 2025, in a Weverse livestream where all seven appeared together for the first time since discharges. They stated, "We’ll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year… We’re also planning a world tour alongside the new album." The group confirmed immediate studio work for the comeback. Later updates reinforced momentum: RM in October hinted at late March preparations, and in November shared, "The music is coming out really well!!" Jung Kook told Elle Korea in December that spring 2026 would be "more important than ever."
This return promises to blend evolved individual styles into BTS's collective dynamic, exciting fans worldwide after years of anticipation.
