Only 50 days left until the return of the K-pop king.
The full-group comeback of BTS is 50 days away. Having completed their military hiatus and returning as a full group for the first time in 3 years and 9 months, K-pop fans' anticipation is growing. Above all, because BTS's presence is overwhelming in the global music market, ARMYs (the official fandom) around the world are waiting for the "return of the king."
BTS will release their fifth studio album "Arirang (ARIRANG)" at 1 p.m. on March 20 (Korean time) and make their comeback. This new record is their first in 3 years and 9 months since the anthology album "Proof" released in June 2022, and it is their first studio album in 6 years and 1 month since "Map of the Soul: 7 (MAP OF THE SOUL : 7)" released in February 2020. Proving the intense interest and expectations, "Arirang" recorded more than 4 million preorders within a week.
This comeback is drawing more attention because it is the first full-group album released after all members completed their military service. Although they have continued to meet fans through solo activities during the military hiatus, it is the first time the seven members will perform together since Jin enlisted. That is why global fans and the industry cannot help but pay attention.
Major foreign outlets such as CBS News, Complex, People, The Washington Post and British music magazine NME also gave significant coverage to BTS's moves and examined the meaning of the comeback. The Washington Post said, "BTS is ready to heat up 2026 like 'Dynamite,'" and Variety in the U.S. reported, "Fans are not simply waiting for the end of winter but dreaming of the coming spring."
Because this is BTS's first full-group comeback in 3 years and 9 months, the album will include 14 songs that reflect their identity. The album title "Arirang" is Korea's representative folk song and a title that encompasses BTS's identity and the feelings they want to share with fans. It also soon signifies "the BTS of now."
Ahead of their long-awaited comeback, attention naturally focused on the group's roots, starting point and inner stories. It was reported that they added meaning to the music by blending the identity of a group that started in Korea with the longing and deep love that occupy their hearts. "Arirang" thus directly shows BTS's identity and the mood of the new record.
This is seen as connected to the power of BTS's music. Since debut, BTS has consistently delivered sincere music reflecting the members' experiences and thoughts, creating empathy. The themes of longing and deep love in the new record, because they deal with universal emotions, are expected to resonate widely with people around the world. And this was the most BTS-like comeback.
The global media again focused on BTS's new record, which emphasizes the group's identity. Forbes said, "BTS has placed Korean identity at the center of its music. The album title 'Arirang' symbolizes that they have returned to their roots after the hiatus. For BTS, who have consistently connected Korea and global music fans, 'Arirang' is a return home and an extension of their mission to introduce Korean culture to the world."
With the comeback, BTS will launch a large-scale world tour starting in Goyang, Korea, and covering North America, Europe, South America and Asia, beginning a full-fledged festival with global ARMYs. Already, not only in Korea but also in North America and Europe, performances have sold out all seats across promoters, proving the fever for BTS.
CNN reported, "BTS, which played a decisive role in transforming K-pop into a global cultural phenomenon, is back," and Forbes said, "As one of the most extensive tours in the team's history, it will set a new standard for world tours by Korean artists," raising expectations.
After 3 years and 9 months of waiting, BTS will write more record-breaking achievements with their full-group comeback. Anticipation is focused on the festival that will begin again.
[Photo] Provided by BigHit Music.
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