At a Glance
- BTS will release fifth album “ARIRANG” on March 20, 2026, ending a nearly four-year break
- Target will sell 10 exclusive vinyl editions and two CD versions with photocards starting 9 p.m. Eastern Thursday
- A 2026-2027 world tour kicks off in South Korea next April and runs through March 2027 with over 70 dates across five continents
- Why it matters: The septet’s return marks the first group project since all seven members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service
BTS is officially back. After a hiatus that began in 2022 while the members fulfilled military obligations, the K-pop giants announced their fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” landing March 20, 2026.
BigHit Music broke the news Thursday morning via social media, directing fans to WeVerse for international preorder details. Retailer Target quickly followed with its own announcement: 10 limited vinyl variants and two CD editions-each bundled with collectible photocards-go on sale at 9 p.m. Eastern the same day.
What We Know About ‘ARIRANG’
- Album title: “ARIRANG”
- Release date: March 20, 2026
- Formats: Multiple vinyl editions (Target exclusive), two CD editions (Target exclusive)
- Preorder: Live on WeVerse and Target starting 9 p.m. Eastern Thursday
- Artwork: Not yet revealed
BigHit has kept additional details under wraps. No track list, concept photos, or teaser videos have surfaced, and the WeVerse landing page shows only preorder buttons against a blank backdrop.
Military Service Behind the Hiatus
The group’s absence traces to South Korea’s conscription system. All able-bodied men aged 18-28 must serve 18-21 months to deter potential threats from North Korea. While athletes and classical musicians can earn exemptions for winning top-tier competitions, K-pop idols receive no such privileges.
BTS staggered enlistments to let individual members pursue solo work:
| Member | Enlistment | Discharge | Service Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jin | 2022 | June 12, 2024 | Active duty army |
| j-hope | 2023 | 2025 | Active duty army |
| RM, V, Jimin, Jung Kook | 2023-24 | 2025 | Active duty army |
| Suga | 2024 | June 2025 | Social service agent* |
*Chose alternative service due to a shoulder injury.
With Suga’s discharge in June 2025, the full lineup became eligible to reunite.
2026-2027 World Tour Announced
Two days before the album reveal, BTS posted a global route map: more than 70 concerts across Asia, North America, South America, Australia, and Europe between April 2026 and March 2027. The trek begins in South Korea and marks their first headline shows since the 2021-22 Permission to Dance on Stage tour.
Exact cities and venues have not been released; fans can register for updates on the band’s official site.
Cryptic Teasers and Timeline
- Last summer: BTS teased a world tour and promised a spring 2026 album, saying work would start in July 2025
- Earlier this month: BigHit posted on X, “March 20 comeback confirmed,” igniting speculation
- Thursday: Title, preorder details, and tour window confirmed in rapid succession
The quickfire rollout mirrors BTS’s pre-hiatus marketing style: sparse clues followed by a flood of official information.
What Happens Next
Fans can lock in orders Thursday night via Target or WeVerse. Shipping dates have not been announced, but vinyl production typically takes 3-5 months, suggesting pressings were green-lit months ago to hit the March street date.
Tour ticket on-sales are expected early next year once routing and venue contracts are finalized. Given the group’s history, membership presales and dynamic pricing are likely.
Key Takeaways
- BTS returns March 20, 2026, with “ARIRANG,” their first group album since 2022
- All seven members have completed military service, clearing legal barriers for global promotion
- Target exclusives and a sprawling world tour signal BigHit’s confidence in massive demand
- Details remain scarce, but the coordinated announcement of music, merch, and tour dates sets the stage for a blockbuster comeback year
