The whole world is currently watching BTS with bated breath, eagerly anticipating every glance and move until the group releases their new album in the spring of 2026 as a complete seven-member unit—marking the return of the world’s top K-pop superstars after a four-year hiatus. Not only is there a new album, but experts are also placing high expectations on BTS’s subsequent world tour, which is estimated to include 65 performances over eight months.
Billboard made waves by boldly projecting that the new album and world tour could bring in over $1.05 billion in cash, not to mention the global media impact, reaffirming BTS’s unshakable status as a “21st-century pop icon” despite their long absence from group activities.
Big Hit Music CEO Seon Jeong Shin, in an interview with Music Business World, also commented: “The unprecedented anticipation for BTS coming back as a full group is soмєтнing we’re deeply aware of. We see it as a positive sign that their music and stories continue to resonate powerfully with fans around the world.”
Meanwhile, the excitement among BTS themselves is just as palpable as that of their fans. Through live broadcasts, the members have shared feelings of both anticipation and nervousness regarding this comeback. They are curious whether fans will respond positively to the new music they bring. Yet, their longing to meet ARMYs worldwide is even greater, driving them to complete the album quickly and start planning the tour.
The return after four years is not just an ordinary “reunion” for BTS—it certainly comes with many new changes. Art has no boundaries, and artists must constantly reinvent themselves. BTS is no exception.
In an interview with SiriusXM, j-hope acknowledged this perspective. He affirmed that there will be one notable change when BTS reunites: "The energy of the full group".
"I myself am wondering what the energy will be like once we’re back together". He continued: "What will be different is that we will each have had solo experiences before coming back together as a team." Because of this, “So I’m looking forward to it!”, he expressed.
BTS is a group, but the group made up of seven individuals. Simply bringing the same seven people back together would make 2026 BTS indistinguishable from 2022 BTS—potentially boring for the au∂ιєnce and insufficiently explosive for a global K-pop superstar comeback. The key lies in the four years during which each member gained unique experiences, as j-hope emphasized.
During the four-year group hiatus, each BTS member explored their own creative worlds, discovering their personal musical identities and expressing them through solo albums, singles, and even solo world tours. These experiences allowed them to refine their personal artistry, uncover new elements, and gather rich experiences to contribute to the group’s collective αѕѕets.
As Big Hit Music’s CEO stated: "BTS’ solo projects as an important part of their ongoing artistic journey — a process through which each member explores their own colors and messages. To me, their individual paths are a natural extension of the group’s broader story. Each member is pursuing different genres and creative directions, but at the heart of it all is the same unwavering desire: to express themselves through music and to share new messages with ARMY. This shared foundation is what sustains BTS’ identity and allows every solo endeavor to enrich the group’s collective narrative.”
Fans fully agree with what j-hope shared. They also believe that BTS will emerge with an even more spectacular “new look":
- I sincerely pray for their health and for peace to fill their hearts. They are deeply loved, and their music resonates with and inspires millions around the world. Thank you, for sharing the incredible gift of your artistry.
- That has been so important, for them to have that time doing solo things, experimenting &doing things they wanted as individual artists. This way when they come back together as a group there are no regrets,etc, & it will only make them stronger as they'd have known both sides
- It will be more emotional and louder Hobi
- me tooo...eagerly waiting!!
- Can't wait baby Can't waitttt
- Oh ARMYs are BEYOND excited
- I really cannot wait for BTS reunion
- BTS is the group I’m excited to see this year and in upcoming years too. I want to walk in this flower path with all 7 members. Truly my forever artist.
- The synergy will be out of the world!! Each of them have phenomenal solo careers and when all these great artists reunite, their comeback will be unfathomable!! ARMY will be there to guarantee that!!
