At the very final moment of 2025, just before the transition into 2026, BTS met with their fans through a special broadcast on Weverse Live. This marked the first New Year’s broadcast in history shared together by BTS and ARMYs around the world, made even more meaningful as it took place after a three-year hiatus due to the members’ mandatory military service and their long-awaited reunion to begin a new chapter together.
The members were seen in casual outfits, their faces filled with happiness, sitting together on a sofa in front of a television inside RM’s apartment. The background featured a Christmas tree decorated with twinkling lights, adding warmth to the atmosphere. Seeing all seven members together on one screen moved fans to tears, as they had been waiting a very long time for this moment.
Notably, together with BTS, ARMYs worldwide counted down to the very first second of the new year (based on кσяєαn Standard Time), after which they exchanged New Year’s greetings. While ARMYs sent messages through the comment section, the BTS members took turns saying “Happy New Year,” offering greetings in кσяєαn, and bowing in accordance with traditional customs. RM concluded the broadcast with a promise: “We’ll come see you this year!”
While fans were filled with joy during the New Year’s broadcast, Big Hit Music also made its first moves signaling the return of the kings of K-pop. Fans were surprised to discover that right at the start of the new year, all official BTS social media accounts managed by Big Hit Music — including Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and Weverse — had completely changed their themes to black and wнιтe.
In particular, on X, the header images of BTS’s three accounts were removed and left blank. Meanwhile, all posts on the official BTS Instagram account were deleted, suggesting preparation for some form of reorganization yet to come.
These υиєχρє¢тє∂ moves by Big Hit Music were widely interpreted by fans as the first bell signaling BTS’s new beginning in 2026. ARMYs flooded social media with excitement as D-Day drew closer, expressing: "WE ARE BACK BTS IS BACK", "A new era, let's go", "Chapter 3 is hereeee", "They reset... BTS IS BACK", "Getting goosebumps, BTS is coming soon",...
Meanwhile, fans have recently identified a suspicious date believed to be the exact timing of BTS’s return. This speculation stems from a special physical letter BTS sent to fans (Gold Members of the Weverse fan club) as a gesture of gratitude for their support and patience during the group’s three years of military service. Printed on the front of the letter was the iconic logo of three red circles, along with the date March 20, 2026.
Interestingly, March 20 falls on a Friday — the day new music is typically released — and coincides with the spring equinox, which officially marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and also holds significance globally. In the context of BTS’s return, the arrival of spring feels especially fitting, symbolizing a beginning, a new season, a new chapter, and rebirth. During a live broadcast in July, BTS had also promised a return in the spring of the following year.
These details now align increasingly well, further strengthening fans’ belief that BTS’s comeback is not far away — very possibly on March 20!
Often referred to as “the Beatles of the 21st century,” BTS’s journey to date is itself a defining footprint of global K-pop, and their new album represents yet another beginning toward writing a new chapter in K-pop history. During BTS’s absence, while direct comparisons are difficult, one fact many acknowledge is that no group has surpαѕѕed BTS’s level of influence. Industry insiders unanimously agree: “BTS’s presence is soмєтнing no one can easily approach.” This is precisely why the world continues to wait for BTS and anticipate their new album.
Some fans hope BTS will release a single first, or that even without new music, the group might engage in full-group activities such as concerts or other formats immediately after completing military service. However, because it is BTS, the weight of their first step back is especially significant, and it is clear that they prioritize the core essence of being artists — music — above all else. BTS fully understands this as well and has been cautious and deliberate in planning their return.
Fans believe that whatever BTS has prepared will undoubtedly be worth the wait. The members themselves have repeatedly stated during live broadcasts that they poured their hearts into two months of album production in the United States and that they are satisfied with what they have created together. They constantly speak about how good the songs are and struggle to hide their excitement to share them with fans, though they restrain themselves to avoid spoiling anything before official announcements.
With these signs, industry insiders are also expressing strong anticipation for BTS’s comeback, which is expected to continue breaking into new territory — not only in terms of performance on Billboard (U.S.) and the Official Charts (U.K.), but also in their chances at winning a Grammy Award. It is worth recalling that at a concert press conference in Los Angeles in November 2021, SUGA said: “It won’t be easy, but I know there are still walls to overcome, and I’m grateful that we can continue to challenge ourselves,” adding, “There’s no tree that won’t fall after being struck ten times. Wanting it to fall after just two strikes would be greedy.”
With this mindset, 2026 arrives carrying the hopes and expectations of both BTS and their fans — for a year filled with milestones and success!
