Top Headlines

Feeds

BTS Announces March 20 “ARIRANG” Album, 79‑Show Global Tour and Exclusive Pre‑Orders

Updated (9 articles)

Album ARIRANG Set for March 20 Release BTS will drop their fifth studio album, titled ARIRANG, on March 20, marking their first full‑group record since 2022 [1][5]. BigHit Music confirmed the date with a cryptic X note earlier in the month, and a WeVerse preorder page opened without revealing artwork [1]. Target will sell exclusive preorder bundles, including ten vinyl variants and two CD editions with collectible photocards, available from 9 p.m. ET on Thursday [1]. The release follows the completion of mandatory military service by all seven members, enabling a full group comeback [1][4][6].

World Tour Spans 79 Shows Across 34 Regions BTS unveiled a 79‑date world tour covering 34 regions in Asia, North America, South America, Europe and Australia, the largest in their career [2][3][4][5][6]. The tour kicks off with three hometown concerts in Goyang, South Korea (April 9, 11, 12) and two shows in Tokyo (April 17‑18), then moves to major markets worldwide, concluding in Manila in March 2027 [2][6]. Production will feature a 360‑degree, in‑the‑round stage designed to maximize venue capacity and place fans at the center of the experience [2][3]. Over 70 dates have been confirmed, with additional venues pending announcement [4][5].

Presale Structured for ARMY Membership Ticket sales begin with an ARMY‑only presale on WeVerse from January 22‑23, requiring fans to register by January 18 and ensure their WeVerse and Ticketmaster emails match [2][3][4]. General on‑sale tickets open on January 24. The presale system differentiates between U.S./Canada/Mexico, U.K./Europe and global memberships, reflecting the tour’s extensive geographic reach [3][4].

All Seven Members Completed Military Service The group’s return is enabled by the completion of South Korea’s mandatory service by every member by mid‑2025. Jin was the first to enlist in 2022 and discharged in June 2024, while Suga finished his alternative social‑service duty in June 2025 due to a shoulder injury [1][4][6]. The other members—RM, Jimin, Jung Kook, V, J-Hope—served in the army, concluding their stints between 2022 and 2024 [1][4].

Industry Context Highlights Hybe Legal Issues CNN notes that BTS’s comeback arrives as HYBE faces a high‑profile legal dispute with the girl group NewJeans, a development that could reshape artist‑label dynamics in K‑pop [6]. Experts quoted in the same piece stress that BTS remains the primary engine of K‑pop’s global growth despite the shifting industry landscape [6].

Sources (6 articles)

Timeline

Dec 6, 2025 – BTS members report that work on a new full‑group album is progressing, with daily practice and ongoing content filming. RM reveals on Weverse that the group once debated disbanding or suspending activities, but “our love and mutual respect keep us together,” underscoring the emotional stakes of the planned comeback. [9]

Jan 1, 2026 – BigHit Music confirms a full‑group album will drop on March 20, the first BTS release since the 2022 “Proof” anthology, and teases a forthcoming world tour. In a handwritten New Year’s letter, leader RM writes, “I have waited more desperately than anyone else for this comeback,” highlighting the personal significance of the reunion. All seven members have now completed South Korea’s mandatory military service, clearing the way for collective activity. [8]

Jan 2, 2026 – BTS officially sets the March 20 comeback date, noting that Suga, the last member, finished his social‑service duties in June 2025, while the other six completed army service earlier. The group announces a spring‑2026 world tour and a new album that will “reflect each member’s thoughts and ideas,” promising a return to the creative mindset of their debut. The plan follows a summer teaser that hinted at a spring 2026 release. [5]

Jan 13, 2026 – HYBE unveils a 79‑show world tour across 34 regions, launching with three hometown concerts in Goyang (April 9, 11, 12) and Tokyo (April 17‑18). The production features a 360‑degree, in‑the‑round stage designed to maximize venue capacity and place fans at the center, marking the largest tour in BTS’s career and signaling their full return to global live performance after the service hiatus. [6][7]

Jan 13, 2026 – The tour schedule confirms two London dates on July 6‑7 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, emphasizing BTS’s strategic push into the UK market. UK fan Ashia says, “I fell in love with BTS in 2017 and will travel across countries to secure tickets; I cannot miss the UK shows,” illustrating the unwavering devotion of the ARMY and the commercial importance of the European leg. [1]

Jan 13, 2026 – HYBE faces a high‑profile legal dispute with NewJeans, a case that “shakes up the entertainment world and raises questions about artists’ agency under major labels,” according to industry observers. The conflict adds uncertainty to the K‑pop landscape just as BTS re‑enters the market, potentially influencing label‑artist dynamics. [2]

Jan 13, 2026 – Berklee associate professor Ray Seol remarks that “BTS remains the engine of K‑pop’s growth,” emphasizing that the group must now earn trust in a changed industry environment after their hiatus. His comment frames BTS’s comeback as a test of their ability to sustain global influence amid evolving fan expectations. [2]

Jan 13, 2026 – South Korean law now permits K‑pop idols to defer mandatory military service until age 30, a policy shift that allowed BTS members to stagger roughly 20‑month enlistments and minimize the period when the entire group was absent. This legislative change underpins the strategic timing of their staggered service and coordinated comeback. [1]

Jan 13, 2026 – Spotify reports a 24 % drop in BTS streams in 2023 and a 30 % drop in 2024 during the hiatus, but streams stabilize in 2025 and are projected to surge in 2026 as the group resumes touring and releases new music. The data underscores the commercial risk of the hiatus and the anticipated rebound from the upcoming album and tour. [1]

Jan 15, 2026 – BigHit announces the March 20 album title “ARIRANG” and partners with Target for exclusive preorder editions, including ten vinyl variants and collectible photocards, launching at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday. The album rollout coincides with the 2026‑27 world tour, reinforcing a coordinated global marketing push. [3]

Jan 15, 2026 – The announcement notes that Jin was the first member to enlist in 2022 and was discharged in June 2024, providing a timeline of the staggered service that enabled the group’s eventual full reunion. This historical detail illustrates how the members managed individual obligations while preserving the group’s brand. [3]

All related articles (9 articles)