Overview
- RM revealed on Weverse on July 1 that BTS will release their first group album since 2022 in spring 2026 followed by a global tour
- HYBE confirmed on July 2 that all seven members will convene in the United States this month to start work on the new record
- The septet completed mandatory military service by June 21, unlocking full-group activities after an 18-month hiatus
- The announcement livestream broke BTS’s viewership records and prompted celebrations among their global ARMY fanbase
- Analyst Yoo Sung-man says the comeback could deliver a significant boost to the K-pop industry and South Korea’s economy