With just one day left until BTS releases their fifth studio album ARIRANG, and two days until their full-group comeback performance after nearly four years of waiting, the fandom atmosphere is filled with warmth—much like the melody of their нιт song Spring Day. Whether they are ARMYs lucky enough to hold a ticket to the show at Gwanghwamun Square or those without one, everyone’s faces reflect an unmistakable joy simply because of BTS’s return.
ARIRANG, set for global release on March 20, will mark the first step into a new chapter of BTS’s career, kicking off a new group era after a 3-year-and-9-month hiatus due to military service and solo activities. As such, this comeback carries a deeper significance beyond just releasing new music. Looking at the global promotional campaigns BTS has carried out with major partners such as Netflix, Google, Apple Music, and Spotify since the beginning of the year, it’s clear just how grand the scale of this comeback truly is.
But as mentioned, these are only the opening signals—many more events and activities are still awaiting fans. It is estimated that from now until the end of March, BTS will have a packed schedule that fans won’t want to miss. First, at 1 PM on March 20, ARMYs will be able to enjoy the title track music video along with the full tracklist of ARIRANG.
Later that same day, BTS’s interview with Zane Lowe will air at 9 PM (KST) on Apple Music. This will be their first group interview with Lowe since the release of Butter in 2021. On this occasion, the group is expected to share in detail their comeback journey and express the thoughts they wish to convey to ARMYs through ARIRANG.
Another highly anticipated event is the live performance titled BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang on March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul at 8 PM (KST). The event will be streamed globally via Netflix, allowing au∂ιєnces in over 190 countries to watch.
Immediately after this event, on March 22, BTS is expected to depart for New York, USA, to prepare for a series of promotional activities there.
On March 23, Spotify will host a special fan event called Spotify x BTS SWIMSIDE in New York. This event is limited to 1,000 selected Spotify listeners and will feature immersive album-themed spaces, along with a live performance and a Q&A session with BTS.
Following that, BTS will make their first group appearance since 2021 on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with two consecutive episodes airing on March 25 and 26. The group will participate in an in-studio interview and perform two songs. The interview and first performance will air on March 25, followed by a second performance on March 26 at 11:35 PM ET/PT (1:35 PM KST the next day) on NBC. The show will also be available for streaming on Peacock the following day.
On March 27, Netflix will release a feature-length documentary titled BTS The Return. The project is directed by Bao Nguyen, known for films such as The Stringer and The Greatest Night in Pop. The documentary includes footage from the group’s time together in Los Angeles in August 2025, when they reunited to create their comeback album after completing military service. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the album’s development and the group’s transition back into full activities.
Around the same time, another separate SWIMSIDE Cruise event will also be organized by Spotify, running from March 27 to April 2 along the Han River. This version is designed as a fan experience featuring BTS-themed music, visuals, and activities. However, it is important to note that BTS members are not expected to attend this cruise event in Seoul.
March’s schedule is almost non-stop for both BTS and ARMY, but it is only the beginning. After March and the album’s promotional period, BTS will immediately kick off their ARIRANG world tour on April 9, starting in South кσяєα.
From then until 2027, fans will experience 82 electrifying shows across 34 cities spanning Asia, the United States, and Latin αмєяι¢α, with additional locations to be announced. According to BIGHIT MUSIC, this will be the group’s largest tour to date. The concerts are expected to feature large-scale stage productions designed to highlight BTS’s artistic growth while maintaining their connection with their global fanbase, ARMY.
Four years of hiatus have pαѕѕed, and now the glorious moment for BTS and ARMY has finally returned. Are you ready to bring your energy for a year full of cheering and unforgettable experiences?
