On this day, news of BTS’s fifth full-length album, scheduled for release on March 20, is dominating кσяєαn and international media alike. Major overseas outlets have expressed strong anticipation, defining the group’s return as “one of the most decisive moments in modern pop music.”
Billboard described it as “the moment when a mαѕѕive artist representing K-pop returns after a hiatus of nearly four years.” The Washington Post reported that “BTS is ready to set 2026 ablaze like ‘Dynamite.’”
ѕιиgαρσяєan fashion magazine L’Officiel ѕιиgαρσяє noted that “this comeback has a meaning that exceeds the expectations of the fandom,” adding that “the return of the seven members as a complete group will be one of the most defining moments in modern pop music.” Variety also attached significance to their comeback, likening it to “the coming spring.”
Although there are still two months to go until March 20, an atmosphere of excitement is already sweeping across the globe, extending even to the music charts. While BTS has not yet officially returned, the group has recently continued to set new records and climb high on international music charts with songs released years ago, reflecting the enduring appeal of K-pop’s top stars.
According to the latest chart released on January 6 by U.S. music industry magazine Billboard (dated January 10), “달려라 방탄 (Run BTS),” a track from BTS’s anthology album Proof released in June 2022, topped the World Digital Song Sales chart. With this achievement, the song made history by becoming the first non-English-language track to top Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart in 2026.
Immediately after the news was announced, кσяєαn media outlets collectively reported congratulatory coverage. The Herald described the milestone as follows: “The milestone underscores the group’s unmatched global reach ahead of its highly anticipated full-group return. The achievement further cements #BTS’ lasting impact on international charts.” Meanwhile, BigHit Music promptly shared a кσяєαn media article reporting the achievement on its official account to mark the occasion.
Notably, five days earlier, on January 2, the song had already reached No. 1 on iTunes’ Top Song chart in a total of 61 countries and regions, including вяαzιℓ, Finland, мєχι¢σ, and gяєє¢є.
This achievement was made possible by ARMYs around the world, who voluntarily organized streaming efforts for “Run BTS” as a way to celebrate BigHit’s official New Year announcement that BTS would return with a full-length album on March 20. The song conveys an unwavering determination to keep moving forward together, overcoming exhaustion, pressure, and doubt. It also serves as a declaration of teamwork and a promise to stand by one another through hardships. As such, this “chart-topping phenomenon” represents the fans’ steadfast promise to continue running alongside the seven members as they embark on a new chapter of their career.
In the past, “Anpanman” and “Ma City” were also brought back onto music charts by fans as a way of expressing the fandom’s support for the group. “Anpanman,” from BTS’s 2018 album Love Yourself 轉 ‘Tear’, reached No. 1 on the global iTunes Songs chart and topped multiple national iTunes charts, including those in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom, in December last year. Meanwhile, “Ma City,” released a decade ago, re-entered global charts at high rankings as ARMYs expressed their desire to invite BTS to the cities where they live as part of a future world tour.
Additionally, following a casual livestream by RM, “Nuts,” a track from his second solo album Right Place, Wrong Person, made a surprise re-entry and climbed to No. 2 on the World Digital Song Sales chart (dated December 27, 2025).
By pushing “Run BTS” and other songs to the top of the charts years after their release, fans are sending a clear and powerful message of loyalty and readiness for the group’s return. Even more moving is the fact that ARMYs have chosen music as a two-way language of dialogue: BTS shares stories of trust, friendship, and promises to keep moving forward through their songs, and ARMY responds with that very music, affirming a complete and profound sense of mutual understanding.
