After a nearly four-year hiatus due to the group members serving in the South Korean military, K-pop boy band BTS will finally be returning this year.
“March 20th comeback confirmed,” reads a message posted January 1, 2026 by BigHit on its Korean-language X account, and translated into English.
[기사] #방탄소년단, 3월 20일 컴백 확정https://t.co/hnSw4o4RVp
— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) January 1, 2026
Check out our selection of free stations streaming BTS music at Live365.com.
According to Billboard, members of the K-pop juggernaut have hinted at new music for several months. In a Weverse update published in November, RM teased a comeback, noting, “the music is coming out really well!!” He added, “everyone’s trying. Please look forward to it.”
Jung Kook then added more fuel to ARMY’s excitement when he told Elle Korea, “I think this spring will be more important than ever. So I sincerely hope you all have a safe and enjoyable spring.”
All of the BTS members confirmed they would hit the studio immediately after their military service was complete to prep for their 2026 comeback. They said in a group statement at the time, “We’ll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year...We’re also planning a world tour alongside the new album. We’ll be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you’re as excited as we are.”
The members of BTS started their military service at the end of 2022. Jin enlisted first in December 2022, followed by J-Hope in April 2023, and Suga in September 2023. RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook all began their service together in December 2023. All seven members of BTS completed their mandatory service by the end of June 2025. The final members Suga, Jimin, and Jungkook finished in mid-June, following earlier discharges for Jin (June 12, 2024), J-Hope (October 17, 2024), and RM & V (June 10, 2025).
While they were apart, the Bangtan Boys focused on several solo music projects. Jin released the single "The Astronaut" (co-written with Coldplay) just before his enlistment. While serving, he released two full albums: Happy (November 2024) and Echo (May 2025). J-hope released the special single "on the street" in March 2023. He also delivered an accompanying album as part of his docuseries, Hope on the Street, in 2024.
Suga - who also goes by the stage name Agust D - released the solo album D-Day and a documentary before his enlistment. RM issued his second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person, in May 2024. He also featured on other artists' tracks like "Smoke Sprite" and "Don't Ever Say Love Me". Jimin dropped his second solo album, Muse, in July 2024, while enlisted. He also shared the digital single "Closer Than This" in December 2023, dedicated to fans.
V released his debut solo album, Layover, in September 2023, which set a record for first-week sales by a K-pop soloist. In March 2024, while still in service, he dropped the single "FRI(END)S". Finally, Jung Kook - BTS' youngest member - had immense global success with his solo album before enlisting. He delivered his solo album Golden in November 2023, featuring the massive hit single "Seven". After enlisting, he released the single "Never Let Go" in June 2024.
As for other notable BTS content released during the group's military era, the boys dropped a pre-recorded single "Take Two" to celebrate their 10th anniversary in June 2023. Additionally, Disney+ premiered the docuseries BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star at the end of 2023.
Check out solo singles released by members of BTS during the group's hiatus below.
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Article Image: The members of BTS wear white formal suits during Jingle Ball 2019. (PopularImages via Depositphotos.)
