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After a nearly four-year hiatus from music, K-pop giant base station Back. Well, that’s almost it.
On Thursday morning, entertainment company BigHit Music shared on social media the seven-piece group — RM, Jin, JiminV, Suga, Jung Kook and j-hope — will release a new album titled “ARIRANG” on March 20. This is their fifth album.
So, what can listeners expect?
What we know about BTS’ new album ‘ARIRANG’
In addition to the album title news, retailer Target also announced that it will be partnering with BTS to exclusively pre-order the “ARIRANG” version. Fans can pre-order 10 different vinyl versions starting Thursday at 9pm ET. For CD lovers, there are also two exclusive editions with collectible photo cards.
Beyond that, details are limited. BigHit Music shared a link on social media Thursday morning to WeVerse, the online fan platform owned by BTS’ management company HYBE. The page contains international pre-order details for “ARIRANG” but appears to omit all album artwork.
Earlier this month, BigHit Music shared a somewhat cryptic note on At the time, they said the project would begin in July 2025.
Is BTS going on tour soon?
On Tuesday, the band announced a 2026-2027 world tour, set to South Korea Running from April until March 2027, with over 70 dates across Asia, North America, South AmericaAustralia and Europe.
This is the first time the group has attracted attention since the 2021-22 Stage Dance License Tour. See full tour dates here.
Why did BTS go off the air for so long?
All seven members of BTS are tasked with completing South Korea’s compulsory military service.
In South Korea, the law requires all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 to serve 18 to 21 months in the military under a conscription system to deter aggression from rival North Korea.
The law provides special exemptions if athletes, classical and traditional musicians, ballet dancers and other dancers win top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed as having enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers are exempt from such privileges.
Rapper Yoshihide Suga was the last band member to be released – he no longer works as a social services agent and reportedly chose military service because of a shoulder injury. That will be in June 2025.
Six others, RM, V, Jimin, Jung Kook, Jin and j-hope, served in the military.
BTS has graded their enlistments, giving members ample time to focus on individual projects while the group takes a break.
Kim is the oldest member and was the first to enlist in 2022. He is also the first to retire from the Army in June 2024.
