BTS Announces New Group Album for March 20, 2026

Big Hit Music announced on January 1, 2026, that K-pop group BTS will release a new full-group album on March 20, 2026, marking the septet's first collective project in nearly four years. The comeback follows the completion of mandatory military service by all seven members—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—ending a hiatus that began in 2022.

The album represents BTS's return to the spotlight after their last group release, the anthology album Proof, in June 2022. During the break, members pursued individual endeavors, including solo albums and collaborations, while fulfilling South Korea's required 18-month military service for able-bodied men. All members were discharged by June 2025, allowing them to reunite and focus on new music. In a group statement shortly after their discharges, they confirmed plans for a spring 2026 album and a subsequent world tour to connect with fans globally.

The announcement came through multiple channels, building anticipation among supporters known as ARMY. Big Hit Music posted confirmation on its Korean-language X account, stating the March 20 date. Prior to the official reveal, the group sent handwritten New Year's letters to fans'...