BTS have confirmed their long-awaited return with ARIRANG, their first studio album in more than three years, and a project they hope will resonate far beyond the present moment.
The announcement follows the completion of each member’s mandatory military service in South Korea and marks the group’s first full release since 2022. Alongside unveiling the album artwork, BTS launched an interactive teaser on their official website, allowing fans to unlock hidden voice messages by clicking on the cover.
Across the messages, a clear theme emerges. Gratitude, reflection, and a renewed sense of purpose.
“We shared our feelings with each other as we completed the album, including how much we missed you, how much we value you and how excited we are about the future.”
Jungkook
J-hope described the creative process as a return to fundamentals.
“While working on this album, we thought about what kind of music and stories would be the most BTS-like.”
RM framed ARIRANG as a long-term statement rather than a momentary comeback.
“We hope ARIRANG of BTS will be an album that transcends time and generations and sticks with you for a long, long time.”
The album features 14 tracks, shaped through what SUGA described as extensive conversations between the seven members.
“After many conversations we made a 14 tracks album that captures the stories of seven of us.”
For Jin, the project is inseparable from the group’s relationship with their fanbase.
“Thanks for always being by our side. What is your ARIRANG?”
V underlined the significance of the release within BTS’ wider story.
“This is our full group album as a group in 3 years and 9 months; we spent a lot of time thinking about the group roots and identity.”
Why ARIRANG?
The album takes its name from “Arirang,” the traditional Korean folk song recognised globally for its emotional depth and cultural significance. Long associated with separation, reunion and collective memory, it provides a clear lens through which BTS are examining their own journey.
According to the group’s team, ARIRANG looks inward, drawing on heritage, lived experience and growth, while staying grounded in the emotions that have always defined BTS’ music. Love, longing and identity sit at the core, shaped into a record intended to connect across borders and generations.
A global rollout, a global return
In the days leading up to the announcement, digital billboards bearing the album’s logo appeared in cities including New York, London, Paris and Tokyo, turning what began as a Seoul-based teaser into a worldwide visual campaign. Fans quickly amplified the imagery across social platforms, fuelling anticipation for what many see as a defining new chapter.
Alongside the album, BTS have confirmed a 2026–2027 world tour, spanning 79 shows across 34 regions in Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. It will be their first tour since the Love Yourself World Tour in 2018–2019.
