At a Glance
- BTS will release their fifth album “ARIRANG” on March 20, 2026, ending a nearly four-year hiatus.
- Target will sell 10 vinyl and two CD exclusive editions, with preorders opening at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday.
- A 2026-2027 world tour starts in South Korea next April and runs through March 2027 with more than 70 dates across five continents.
- Why it matters: The septet’s comeback signals the end of group-wide military service and the return of one of the world’s top live acts to arenas and stadiums.
After a nearly four-year pause, the K-pop supergroup BTS is officially back.
On Thursday morning, BigHit Music posted on social media that RM, Jin, Jimin, V, Suga, Jung Kook and j-hope will drop their fifth album, titled “ARIRANG,” on March 20, 2026.
What We Know About ‘ARIRANG’
- The album title was revealed alongside a Target partnership.
- Ten vinyl variants and two CD editions will be sold exclusively at Target.
- Preorders begin at 9 p.m. Eastern on Thursday.
- The CD versions include collectible photocards.
BigHit shared a link that routes fans to WeVerse, HYBE’s online platform, where international preorder details are live. As of Thursday, no album artwork had been posted.
Earlier this month, BigHit posted on X: “March 20 comeback confirmed.” The brief message echoed last summer’s announcement that BTS would release a new album in spring 2026 and launch a world tour. At that time, the group said they would begin recording in July 2025.
2026-2027 World Tour
On Tuesday, BTS revealed a global tour schedule:
- Start: April 2026 in South Korea
- End: March 2027
- Dates: More than 70 shows
- Regions: Asia, North America, South America, Australia and Europe
These will be the band’s first headline shows since the 2021-22 Permission to Dance on Stage tour.
Why the Group Stepped Away
All seven members completed South Korea’s compulsory military service, which lasts 18-21 months for able-bodied men aged 18-28.
- Jin, the oldest, enlisted first in 2022 and was discharged in June 2024.
- Suga, the final member to finish, was released in June 2025 after serving as a social service agent due to a shoulder injury.
K-pop idols do not qualify for the special exemptions granted to some athletes and classical musicians who win top international prizes.
BTS staggered enlistments so individual members could pursue solo work while the group paused group activities.
Key Takeaways
- Album “ARIRANG” arrives March 20, 2026.
- Target will carry exclusive physical editions.
- A massive world tour kicks off next spring and runs for nearly a year.
- The hiatus, driven by military service, is now over for all seven members.
