For the global BTS ARMY, 2026 isn’t just a new year—it’s the year the “Seven” return. After completing their mandatory military service in 2025 and exploring successful solo chapters, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook are officially reuniting as a full septet.
BTS perform onstage during the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
The announcement, which was first teased through handwritten letters sent directly to fans’ homes on New Year’s Day, was formalized this morning with a comprehensive schedule that has fans counting down the days. This upcoming album is being described by the label as the group’s “most honest” work to date, a 14-track journey that reflects the growth, struggles, and reflections of the members during their time apart. With a world tour announcement looming just days away, the “BTS Era” is officially back in full swing.
“The 5th Album”: 14 Tracks of Gratitude
BIGHIT MUSIC’s official statement describes the new record—currently referred to as BTS The 5th Album—as a “heartfelt way of saying thank you” to the fans who waited through the hiatus. The members reportedly devoted the second half of 2025 to the creation of these 14 tracks, weaving their individual perspectives and musical colors into a collective vision. The album is set to explore the theme of a “fresh start,” serving as both a look back at their decade-long journey and a bold indicator of the direction the group will take in their 30s.
Key Dates for the BTS Comeback
Mark your calendars, because the next few weeks are packed with major milestones for the fandom:
- January 14, 2026: Official World Tour Schedule announcement (12 AM KST).
- January 16, 2026: Pre-orders for the new album begin (11 AM KST).
- March 20, 2026: Global Album Release (1 PM KST / 12 AM ET).
A Historic Reunion
BTS performs during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2020 on December 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Dick Clark Productions)
This release marks BTS’s first group album since the 2022 anthology Proof and their first full studio album since 2020’s BE. Having all seven members back on a single tracklist is a moment many analysts believe will shatter streaming records and revitalize the global music market. As leader RM wrote in his New Year’s letter, he has been “waiting for this moment more desperately than anyone,” and on March 20th, that desperation finally turns into celebration
