BTS’s New Album “Arirang” to Be Released in March, World Tour to Resume in April

Korean boy band BTS officially announced in January that they will release their new album “Arirang” in March 2026, approximately three years after stopping activities in 2022 to serve in the military, followed by the start of a world tour. BTS, short for “방탄소년단,” became one of the most iconic groups representing K-pop after debuting in 2013 and gaining massive global popularity. The group currently consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, and they have even been nominated for Grammy Awards. RM, the group’s Leader and main rapper, was born on September 12, 1994, in Ilsan, and he began rapping at a young age. After working in the underground rap scene, he joined Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE) in 2010 and became one of the original members of BTS. RM is also well-known for his English skills; during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, he revealed that he learned English on his own through the TV series “Friends.” In June 2022, BTS announced at their annual festival dinner that the group would take a break to pursue solo projects while exploring the band’s future direction. During this time, the members worked on their individual solo projects and built separate careers. BTS has dominated charts with hit songs like “Butter” and expanded their influence through collaborations with well-known figures in the industry. They also have a massive fandom named ARMY and fulfill their social responsibilities through various charitable activities. In a 2018 interview with Vogue, Jung Kook said, “We are really unique. We all have our own styles, which makes us stand out.” He added, “Each of us has our own role and position within the band, and we work together while striving hard for ARMY.” The release of “Arirang” and the commencement of the world tour are expected to mark BTS’s first official activities where they will reunite with fans on stage. Based on their established position in the global music market since debuting in 2013, the group is anticipated to further enhance K-pop’s global influence following this Comeback.