On the first day of the new year, BigHit Music finally officially announced the return of BTS—dubbed the “21st-century pop icons”—with a full album scheduled for release on March 20. This album marks the group’s comeback as a complete seven-member lineup after three years and nine months. Alongside news of the new album, plans for an eight-month global tour following the release were also hinted at.
This comeback had been eagerly anticipated worldwide as early as half a year ago—right around the time when all members completed their mandatory military service. Many even expected the group to release at least a single or carry out some official activities in the second half of 2025 to fill the long gap. However, BTS approached their return with caution, honoring their promise to come back in the spring of the following year. As a result, some people did feel disappointed by having to wait several more months.
That said, not everyone reacted the same way. True fans understand that BTS’s first step back is exceptionally important and carries significant weight, requiring ample time for careful preparation. Fans know that BTS has always prioritized the very essence of being artists—music—above all else. And ARMYs have never minded waiting longer until the group is fully ready to return in their most complete form.
Notably, to express their steadfast support for the group, fans have repeatedly sent messages by bringing BTS’s older songs back onto the charts—sometimes even pushing them to No. 1. On the 2nd of this month, BTS kicked off the new year by once again topping global charts with a song released four years ago, reaffirming their powerful influence on the global music market.
Specifically, as of 6 a.m. on the 2nd, “Run BTS,” a track from the anthology album Proof released in June 2022, had climbed to No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in a total of 61 countries and regions, including вяαzιℓ, Finland, мєχι¢σ, and gяєє¢є. BIGHIT Music also immediately tweeted a K-media article about this achievement on their official account to mark the occasion.
This achievement was driven by ARMYs around the world, who spontaneously organized streaming efforts for “Run BTS” as a way to celebrate the official announcement—made just one day earlier—that BTS would return with a full album. The song conveys a promise to keep moving forward without stopping, continually encouraging and standing by one another. It vividly embo∂ιєs BTS’s signature pαѕѕion, collective unity, and identity. Behind this “reverse-charting” phenomenon lies ARMY’s desire to keep running alongside the seven members on the road toward the new album set for release on March 20.
Previously, Anpanman and Ma City had also been brought back into the music chart race by fans as a means of conveying the fandom’s message of companionship to the group. Anpanman, from BTS’s 2018 album Love Yourself 轉 ‘Tear’, reached No. 1 on the Worldwide iTunes Songs chart and topped multiple iTunes charts in countries including the United States, Europe, and the UK last December—affirming that ARMY will forever keep its promise to support BTS. Meanwhile, Ma City, released a decade ago, υиєχρє¢тє∂ly returned to global charts at high ranks as ARMYs sought to invite BTS to the cities they live in as part of a future world tour.
By driving “Run BTS” and other songs to the top of the charts years after their release, fans are sending a clear and resounding message of loyalty and readiness for the group’s return. Even more admirable is ARMY’s consistent practice of choosing music as a two-way language of dialogue: BTS tells stories of trust, companionship, and the promise to keep moving forward through their songs, and ARMY responds through that very music, affirming a complete sense of resonance.
Meanwhile, these days, major overseas media outlets have also shown strong interest in BTS’s comeback. In a recent article examining the K-pop industry, The New York Times of the United States commented, “BTS’s rise and dominance have had a significant impact on the popularity of K-pop over the past decade. Through their musical talent, diligence, and approachability, they have perfectly fulfilled the role of ambαѕѕadors for K-pop.” The newspaper went on to express its expectation that “the group’s new album and tour will serve as a decisive catalyst, once again injecting vitality into the industry as a whole.”
BTS’s comeback carries significance far beyond a simple new music release. The group’s full-member activities are expected to usher in new trends in the global music market. Having already energized global charts at the very start of the year, attention is now turning to the records they will continue to set with their upcoming release.
