BTS has officially announced the release of their new album and an upcoming world tour.
On January 5 at midnight (KST), BIGHIT MUSIC released an official statement announcing BTS 5th Album and confirming plans for a world tour to follow. The agency thanked fans and shared detailed information about the album and future activities.
BTS’s 5th Album is especially meaningful because it is the group’s first full album release in three years and nine months. It also shows the musical direction BTS plans to take going forward.
According to BIGHIT MUSIC, the members were deeply involved in creating the album. They took part in writing and shaping the songs, “The members were deeply involved in the creation of the songs, infusing their own thoughts and colors into them while musically expressing the emotions and struggles they have experienced along their journey.”
The album includes 14 tracks. Each song is “packed with honest stories” that BTS wants to share with ARMY, who have been waiting a long time for their comeback as a complete group. The agency said the album contains music that is most true to BTS and is meant as a heartfelt thank-you to fans who stayed by their side throughout the hiatus.
Pre-orders for the album will begin on January 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. KST. The album will be officially released on March 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. KST.
Following the album release, BTS will begin a world tour. This will be their first tour since the “Permission to Dance on Stage” concerts in 2022. BIGHIT MUSIC confirmed that the full tour schedule, including dates, cities, and venues, will be announced separately on January 14, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. KST.
Leader RM previously shared that major preparation is underway for the tour. He said that a lot has changed over time, and the group is carefully preparing for their return to the stage. Reports suggest the tour could be one of the largest global tours in BTS’s history, though exact details have not yet been revealed.
This announcement officially ends BTS’s long hiatus, which began as the members carried out South Korea’s mandatory military service. Jin was the first to enlist in December 2022, and all seven members have now completed their service.
Ahead of the announcement, the members shared handwritten New Year letters with fans. Jimin wrote that the year everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived. V also shared that 2026 would be a year full of new and happy memories with ARMY.
BTS began working together again as a full group in July 2025, focusing on recording, filming, and practice.
BIGHIT MUSIC closed the announcement by thanking ARMY for waiting patiently and asked for continued love and support as BTS begins this new chapter through their album and world tour.
Fans worldwide are now counting down the days to March and waiting for the official tour schedule announcement later this month.
