BTS Return: Group Officially Announces New Album After Nearly Four-Year Hiatus
South Korean K-pop group BTS has officially confirmed their long-awaited comeback. The band will release a new BTS album in March 2026, marking their first full group project in almost four years. The information was confirmed by their label BigHit Music and major international media, including Reuters and Associated Press.
The release of the new BTS album is scheduled for March 20, 2026. The date was chosen deliberately: Friday is traditionally the global release day for music, allowing artists to maximize chart impact worldwide. This will be the group’s first studio album since Proof (2022), which was an anthology and contained a limited amount of new material.
The hiatus in BTS’s activities was due to mandatory military service in South Korea. All seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook — served in stages, allowing them to maintain individual projects while temporarily pausing group activities. Suga completed his service in summer 2025, after which the group reunited to prepare for their comeback.
Interest in BTS returning in 2026 began to grow even before the official announcement. At the end of 2025, some fans received letters from the members containing the date “2026.03.20.” This gesture was seen as a personal message to the ARMY fandom and acted as a prelude to the official album announcement.
In addition to the album, plans for a BTS world tour have been confirmed to start after the release. Tour dates and locations have not yet been revealed, but BigHit Music representatives emphasize that it will be one of the group’s largest tours ever. Music industry experts already consider the return of BTS one of the key events in the global pop scene of 2026.
During their absence, the group has maintained their status as a global phenomenon. BTS remain one of the most commercially successful music acts in history, with multiple Billboard chart-toppers and record-breaking sales worldwide. Their comeback after military service is therefore seen not only as the return of a popular group but also as a significant moment for the entire music industry.
In summary, the new BTS album, releasing March 20, 2026, will symbolize the end of an important chapter in the group’s history and the beginning of a new era. The full reunion of all seven members, the confirmed world tour, and high interest from fans and media make this release one of the most anticipated music events of the coming years.
