K-pop supergroup BTS confirmed Tuesday it will release a new group album and embark on a global tour in the spring of 2026, marking its first full-scale comeback since going on hiatus in 2022 for mandatory military service and solo projects.
The announcement was made during a 30-minute livestream on the fan platform Weverse, drawing over 7.3 million live viewers as all seven members-Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook-appeared together for the first time in nearly two years.
"We'll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year," the group said in a joint statement. "Starting in July, all seven of us will begin working closely together on new music. 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."
RM added, "Starting in July ... we're planning to make something massive, so from then, we'll probably gather together and stay focused on making music."
The group also revealed they would begin recording in the United States next month. "We're also planning a world tour alongside the new album," they said. "We'll be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you're as excited as we are."
BTS's last group release was Proof in 2022, which sold nearly 3.5 million copies and was South Korea's best-selling album that year. Since then, each member has pursued solo music careers. Notable releases include Jung Kook's Golden (2023), Jimin's Muse (2024), RM's Right Place, Wrong Person (2024), and V's Layover (2023).
Prior to their hiatus, BTS's cultural and economic footprint was substantial. According to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, the band contributed over 5.5 trillion won ($4 billion) annually to South Korea's economy-roughly 0.2% of its GDP.
The group holds multiple records, including being the most-streamed group on Spotify and the first K-pop act to top both the Billboard 200 and Billboard Artist 100 charts in the U.S. Their last tour, "Permission to Dance on Stage," concluded in 2021 with over 4 million attendees globally.
