BTS reveals new album title ahead of long-awaited comeback

K-pop giants BTS are poised to end a nearly four-year musical hiatus with the announcement of their fifth studio album, ARIRANG scheduled for release on March 20.

BigHit Music, the entertainment company representing the septet – RM, Jin, Jimin, V, Suga, Jung Kook, and j-hope – confirmed the news via social media on Thursday morning.

Fans eager to secure their copy will find exclusive pre-order options through a partnership with retailer Target. From 9 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, ten distinct vinyl editions will be available, alongside two exclusive CD versions that include collectible photocards.

While excitement builds, further details remain scarce. BigHit Music directed fans to WeVerse, the online platform managed by BTS's parent company HYBE, for international pre-order information, though album artwork was notably absent from the webpage.

Earlier this month, BigHit Music shared a somewhat cryptic note on X: “March 20 comeback confirmed.” It wasn't much to go off, but it did further confirm news from last summer, when the group teased a world tour and announced that a new album would be released in the spring of 2026. At the time, they said they would begin working on the project in July 2025.

On Tuesday, the band announced a 2026-2027 world tour, kicking off in South Korea in April and running through March 2027 with over 70 dates across Asia, North America, South America, Australia and Europe.

This marks the group’s first headline performances since their 2021–22 Permission to Dance on Stage tour. See the full tour dates here.

All seven members of BTS were required to complete South Korea’s mandatory military service.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18-28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.

The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren’t subject to such privileges.

Rapper Suga was the last group member to be released — from his duties as a social service agent, an alternative to serving in the military that he reportedly chose because of a shoulder injury. That was in June 2025.

The six others, RM, V, Jimin, Jung Kook, Jin and j-hope, served in the army.

BTS tiered their enlistments, giving ample time for its members to focus on solo projects while the group was on a break.

Jin, the oldest member, was the first to enlist in 2022. He was also the first to be discharged, in June 2024.