SEOUL – The globally acclaimed K-pop phenomenon BTS has officially signaled its return to full group activities, confirming plans for a new album in 2026 followed by a world tour. The announcement came during a significant Weverse livestream on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, which marked the first time all seven members appeared together since completing their mandatory military service.
The livestream event, broadcast on the fan communication platform Weverse, was a pivotal moment for the group and its millions of fans worldwide, known collectively as the ARMY. It was the group’s first joint live appearance of any kind since September 2022, preceding the period when members began their staggered enlistments for the Republic of Korea’s mandatory military service requirement.
The First Full Reunion
The reunion on July 1, 2025, saw all seven members – Jin, RM, V, Jimin, J-Hope, Jung Kook, and Suga – together on screen, addressing their fanbase directly. Their appearance together marked the culmination of a period where individual members had been fulfilling their military duties, a requirement for all eligible South Korean male citizens. The completion of these duties by all members paved the way for the group to resume its collective endeavors.
During the livestream, the members shared updates and looked ahead to their future as a unified group. The atmosphere was reportedly celebratory, reflecting the anticipation built over the hiatus period dedicated to military service.
Path to New Music
A central element of the announcement was the concrete plan for new music. The group confirmed plans to release a new album in the spring of 2026. This upcoming project is set to be their first new studio effort since the critically and commercially successful album “Be,” which was released in 2020 during the height of the global pandemic. “Be” featured the chart-topping single “Life Goes On” and was notable for its direct reflection of the times, with members heavily involved in its production.
The process for creating the new album is already underway. According to a statement released by the group’s representation, the members Jin, RM, V, Jimin, J-Hope, Jung Kook, and Suga will begin working closely on new songs from July 2025. Furthermore, the statement detailed immediate travel plans, confirming the group is scheduled to travel to the U.S. this month (July 2025) to commence work on new material. This indicates that pre-production, writing, and potentially recording sessions for the 2026 album are set to begin promptly following their reunion.
Global Tour Confirmed
Adding to the excitement, BTS also confirmed plans to embark on a world tour following the release of the new album in spring of 2026. While specific dates, venues, or regions for the tour were not detailed in the announcement, the confirmation signals the group’s intent to return to performing live on a global scale. BTS is renowned for its large-scale stadium tours, which have consistently sold out venues across continents, underscoring their status as one of the world’s biggest touring acts.
The prospect of a new album coupled with a world tour represents a significant milestone, marking the full-fledged return of BTS as a performing and recording group after the period of individual military service commitments. The announcements made during the July 1, 2025, Weverse livestream have set a clear path for the group’s activities throughout the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, galvanizing their vast global fanbase in anticipation of their highly awaited comeback to the international stage.
