
BTS reunion: K-pop group announces new album, 2026 world tour
'Starting in July, all seven of us will begin working closely together on new music,' the group said in a statement. 'Since it will be a group album, it will reflect each member's thoughts and ideas. We're approaching the album with the same mindset we had when we first started.'
The band also confirmed a world tour, their first since the 2021 Permission to Dance On Stage concerts. The tour is expected to include a stop in the Bay Area. BTS wraps up military service
All members have now completed South Korea's mandatory military service. Jin was the first to enlist in December 2022 and was discharged in June 2024. J-Hope followed in April 2023 and returned in October 2024. Suga joined in September 2023, while RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook all enlisted in December 2023 and finished their service earlier this year. In South Korea, military service is mandatory for men aged 18–28 and lasts between 18 to 21 months.
This upcoming release will be the group's first studio album since 2020's Be. A live album, BTS Permission to Dance on Stage — Seoul, will drop on July 18.
ALSO READ: BTS agency confirms Jimin and Jungkook's return with second season of Are You Sure, fans react FAQs Q1: When is BTS releasing new album?
BTS is currently working on a new group album, with plans to release it in spring 2026. Q2: Have all BTS members completed military service?
Yes, all seven members of BTS have now completed their mandatory military service in South Korea. Q3: Will BTS go on a world tour in 2026?
Yes, BTS has confirmed a world tour in 2026, their first since 2021's Permission to Dance On Stage concerts. Q4: What is the latest BTS album before the comeback?
The last group album from BTS was Be in 2020. A new live album, Permission to Dance on Stage — Seoul, releases July 18.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Pink Villa
26 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
BTS' V shares glimpses of post-military life: Food tour to workout sesh, everything he did on secret Japan trip
Sharing some unseen moments from his recent overseas travel, BTS member V is giving his fans a class in how to unwind. After exiting the military following 18 months of service, the singer was spotted leaving the country via Gimpo airport on June 29 and within a couple of days, he returned to get back with RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin and Jungkook for the group's first livestream in 3 years. Now, V has revealed exactly what he was up to in Japan. V returns to South Korea from a quick Japan trip Kim Taehyung, his real name, was photographed on July 1 in a laidback look by fans and paparazzi stationed at the airport. On the following day, an update from his Instagram account confirmed speculations that he flew to Japan for a swift vacation, where he was able to relax. In about 18 photos, the singer gave a rundown of his quick stay in the neighboring country. It looks like he was able to check out a lot of delicious food and loosen up. Not being able to give up on maintaining his physique, V ended up at another workout session, something he was not doing a lot of before enlisting in the military. However, since returning from his soldier life, he has ensured he can maintain broad shoulders and toned muscles. The singer was also able to fit in a swimming round in his short but seemingly packed visit. Meanwhile, BTS announced that the group will release a new album in Spring 2026, estimated to be around March to May. The group will begin working on it, starting with a mobile song camp in the USA soon. The septet also hinted at plans to go on a world tour following the release, set to become the first tour in almost 7 years. Meanwhile, member Jin is currently on his solo world tour, which started with two Goyang concerts and will move to Japan and then Germany, going west later on. It will end in August 2026, which the other members are rumored to follow along with.


Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
How Labubu dolls turned CEO Wang Ning into China's youngest billionaire with a net worth of $22 billion
What began as a whimsical sketch in an artist's notebook has transformed into a global collectible sensation, catapulting Pop Mart CEO Wang Ning into the ranks of China's wealthiest individuals. The designer toy Labubu — a quirky, wide-eyed character with pointed ears — has become a cultural phenomenon, driving a massive surge in Pop Mart's growth and Wang's fortune. Labubu was originally created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung as part of his illustrated series 'The Monsters'. The character first appeared in Lung's book in 2015, but it wasn't until 2023 that it was introduced to the commercial market through Pop Mart's popular blind-box format. The toy's rise to global fame gained momentum in 2024, when K-pop star Lisa from Blackpink publicly expressed her love for Labubu. Lisa was also spotted with a Labubu doll. In a Vanity Fair interview, Lisa said, 'If I fly to New York, I go to Miami, I try to find Pop Mart there. Paris, everywhere. Kind of like finding treasure.' Lisa's endorsement sparked a wave of international interest, and soon celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Dua Lipa were also seen with the collectible, boosting its appeal worldwide. Labubu dolls have has since evolved from a novelty into a major revenue generator. According to Emily Brough, head of licensing for Pop Mart North America, the toy generated over $419 million in 2024 alone — a 726 per cent year-on-year increase. Its popularity has extended to the collector's market, with a life-sized Labubu doll fetching 1.08 million Yuan (approximately $150,275) at a Beijing auction. Pop Mart's blind-box strategy—where customers don't know which version of the toy they'll receive—has been key to Labubu's appeal. The surprise element has resonated with both casual buyers and serious collectors, contributing significantly to the brand's explosive success. Wang Ning, the 38-year-old founder, chairman, and CEO of Pop Mart, has seen his net worth surge from $7.59 billion at the end of 2024 to $22.1 billion by June 2025, according to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List. This leap has made him the youngest billionaire among China's top ten richest individuals. A graduate in advertising from Zhengzhou University, Wang founded Pop Mart in 2010, initially selling comics and mobile accessories. The company pivoted in 2016 with the success of the Molly doll series, laying the foundation for Labubu's eventual breakout.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
BTS V Goes Shirtless, Looks Worried About His Pimple In New Photos
Last Updated: V walked out of his mandatory military discharge on June 10, 2025. He was also accompanied by his fellow BTS member, RM. BTS member V often shares glimpses of his behind-the-camera life on his social media. On Wednesday too, the globally popular K-pop singer took to his Instagram handle and dropped a series of pictures, which have left ARMYs in complete awe. In one of the pictures that BTS V shared, he was seen taking a mirror selfie with a pack of juice in his hand. The singer sported a black vest and was seen flaunting his biceps. Another picture featured Kim Taehyung posing shirtless with his back towards the mirror. V was also seen striking a pose in a red printed jacket in one of the clicks. He was also seen enjoying a meal in what looked like a restaurant in one of the photographs. With several other photos, V also shared glimpses of his mouth-watering meals. Check it out here: V walked out of his mandatory military discharge on June 10, 2025. He was also accompanied by his fellow BTS member, RM. The two globally popular singers stepped out in uniform at the Sports Park in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, as fans from across the world cheered and welcomed them. While RM was seen playing a saxophone, V was seen holding bouquets of flowers. They were all smiles as they posed for the cameras and marked their comeback. Later, V also took to his Instagram story to share a picture of himself and RM walking together, arms around each other, while donning their military uniforms. Along with that, he mentioned the dates they enlisted in the army as well as when they got discharged (12-11-2023 to 06-10-2025). Now that all BTS members have completed their mandatory military service, the group is officially planning to make a comeback. Recently, the global K-pop sensation confirmed that the group will return in spring 2026 with a brand-new album and an international tour. The announcement came during a surprise 30-minute livestream on Weverse featuring all seven members – Jung Kook, V, Jimin, Suga, Jin, J-Hope and RM – together for the first time since September 2022.