The group BTS is proving the ideal virtuous cycle between solo and group activities. Through successful solo activities, they raised the full group's standing by a notch, heightening expectations for the group's return.
BTS will make a comeback with their fifth studio album on Mar. 20. It is the group's full reunion after 3 years and 9 months. During the team's hiatus, they steadily approached fans with new song releases and performances. Members without official activities demonstrated BTS's influence on major global music charts.
Jin won the hearts of global listeners with solo albums 'Happy' and 'Echo'. By presenting band-sound music, he helped imprint BTS's presence on listeners of that genre. The title tracks of his first and second albums, 'Running Wild' (No. 53) and 'Don't Say You Love Me' (No. 90), charted on the U.S. Billboard main song chart, the Hot 100. In particular, 'Echo' reached No. 3 on the main album chart, the Billboard 200, marking his highest-ever position on that chart. With this album, Jin made his first entry on the U.K. Official Albums Top 100 at No. 63.
Jin met music fans around the world with his first solo fan concert tour, '#RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR'. The Kyocera Dome Osaka performance sold out perfectly up to the top eighth floor and restricted-view seats. At the American Airlines Center in Dallas, he became the first Korean solo artist to sell out all seats. At the Honda Center in Anaheim, he drew the largest-ever audience for a Korean artist, gaining meaningful keywords that strengthened the team's standing.
J-Hope's global moves also stood out. Last year he carried out a single project that included 'Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)', 'MONA LISA', and 'Killin' It Girl (feat. GloRilla)'. With the release of new songs, he appeared on domestic music shows, leaving gift-like stages for fans. The world tour j-hope Tour "HOPE ON THE STAGE" gave great satisfaction to those who had awaited BTS's performance. J-Hope drew about 524,000 people with a total of 33 shows in 16 cities, proving his capability as a 'world-class performer'.
Even without official music activities, BTS's influence continued. Billboard's 2025 year-end charts showed the impact when Jimin's second solo album 'MUSE' title track 'Who' reached No. 57 on the main song chart, the Hot 100. On the Global 200 were Jimin's 'Who' (No. 21), Jungkook's solo single 'Seven (feat. Latto)' (No. 74), and Jin's 'Don't Say You Love Me' (No. 151). The three songs above and J-Hope's 'Killin' It Girl (feat. GloRilla)' entered the Global (excluding U.S.) rankings.
The careers expanded by solo activities are expected to create synergy with full-group activities. Recently, British music magazine NME named BTS's new release one of the "most anticipated albums of 2026" and predicted, "It will show the process in which each member creates a musical direction by containing their honest inner selves. This comeback will cause a huge impact."
BTS's fifth full-length album, to be released on Mar. 20, will include a total of 14 tracks. The members infused tracks with the sincere emotions and concerns built up over their journey.
[Photo] Provided by BigHit Music.
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