BTS reunion: What it means for the fandom and Indian ARMY

India Today

13-06-2025

BTS is back and how! (Photo credit: Instagram/Ayushi Srivastava) Six of seven BTS members complete military service by June 2025
BTS and ARMY share a unique emotional bond beyond typical fandom
BTS' return expected to boost HYBE stock and global music scene
BTS is back, and so is ARMY [their fandom]'s comfort place. In our Weekly K-Fix, let's discuss why BTS' reunion is exactly the massive reset that the world needs right now.
As June progresses, fans of BTS finally rejoice the moment they've been waiting for since 2022. Six of the seven members of the band have now completed their military service, with SUGA set to reunite with the group on June 21. With the official discharge of Kim Taehyung (V), Kim Namjoon (RM), Park Jimin, and Jeon Jungkook, the return of the world's biggest boy band isn't just a pop culture event, it's a global reset. But for their fandom, it's something far deeper. WHY BTS AND ARMY's BOND IS UNIQUE
It's the comeback that was always promised, and one ARMY held onto with unwavering loyalty. The connection between BTS and ARMY has always defied conventional fandom dynamics. Their relationship - summed up by the acronym APOBANGPO ('ARMY Forever, Bangtan Forever'), coined by the leader Namjoon, is rooted in emotional reciprocity, built through lyrics, lives, and years of transparency.
For three years, BTS kept their presence alive through carefully orchestrated solo projects, pre-recorded content, and social media messages. Jungkook's Golden, RM's introspective Indigo, Taehyung's Layover and Jimin's Face topped the charts, while Jin's The Astronaut, Echo, Yoongi's D-Day and J-Hope's Jack In The Box gave fans glimpses of their evolving artistry. Each member used their solo chapter not just to explore identity but to maintain a connection with the ARMY. BTS AND ARMY: EACH OTHER's COMFORT PLACE
Now that they're back, the unspoken promise has been fulfilled. Exactly how RM once penned, 'You got me; I dream while looking at you. I got you; inside those pitch-black nights.' Over the years, fans have found healing, hope, and purpose in BTS' music. The group's early motto - Music and Artist for Healing - continues to echo through songs like Mikrokosmos, Spring Day, Magic Shop, Zero O'Clock, and Answer: Love Myself.
Across social media, thousands of fans have shared personal stories of how BTS' music helped them navigate dark, difficult moments. Whether battling depression, struggling with self-worth, or learning the language of self-love, songs like Epiphany, The Truth Untold, Answer: Love Myself, and Zero O'Clock became more than lyrics - they were affirmations of healing. The group's open conversations about mental health, personal growth, and vulnerability built a space where millions felt seen, heard, and supported. For many, BTS wasn't just a soundtrack; it was a support system. Their return, then, is not merely musical, it's personal.
And now, BTS is ready to return to where they belong - the stage, the studio, and the hearts of millions. THE GLOBAL SUPERPOWER
And yet, the comeback has a macro impact too. HYBE's stock surged over 15 per cent in the week of the discharges, a clear sign of investor confidence in the BTS effect. Pre-enlistment, BTS reportedly contributed over 30 per cent of HYBE's total revenue. Even in their absence, the appetite for a group reunion never wavered - and now, the stage is set.
From 2018 to 2021, BTS consistently broke global records by selling out Wembley Stadium, topping the Billboard Hot 100 multiple times, and becoming the first Korean act to receive a Grammy nomination. Their absence left a noticeable void. Award shows like the AMAs, BBMAs, and even the Grammys saw a dip in global engagement and streaming stats during the group's hiatus.
With a global tour on the cards and a new album in the works - as confirmed by the members themselves - the second half of 2025 could see a reordering of the pop world once again, with BTS back at the helm. WHY BTS WOULD NOT SKIP INDIA
For the Indian ARMY, the reunion holds even deeper meaning. Back in 2020, India was slated to be part of BTS' Map of the Soul world tour. The pandemic derailed those plans, but not the dreams of the Indian ARMY. Since then, India has emerged as a powerhouse fanbase, consistently ranking among BTS' top global streaming markets on Spotify, YouTube, and Twitter. COLDPLAY PROVED IT. BTS COULD BREAK IT
And now, there's a precedent with Coldplay in terms of scale. In 2025, Coldplay's Ahmedabad concerts generated an estimated Rs 641 crore in total economic impact. Of that, a whopping Rs 392 crore directly boosted Ahmedabad's local economy - from hotels and transport to retail and dining.
The concerts also brought in Rs 72 crore in GST revenue and drew over 2.22 lakh fans, setting the record for the largest stadium concert in Indian history. Other than that, the Mumbai concert generated over Rs 100 crore in revenue in three days. That's Coldplay.
Now imagine BTS - arguably a bigger draw globally - announcing even one date for a concert in India. With ARMY chapters spread across Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kolkata, it's not far-fetched to suggest that BTS could eclipse Coldplay's numbers, both in attendance and in economic influence.
A BTS concert in India wouldn't just be a show. It would be a festival of fandom, a multi-day economy booster involving air travel, pop-up stores, flash mobs, media coverage, and potential diplomatic headlines.
With the country's live music appetite now stronger than ever, thanks to Coldplay and Lollapalooza, there is simply no reason BTS should skip India on their tour map.
A BTS concert in India isn't just overdue - it's inevitable, and the country is more than ready!
BTS is back, and so is ARMY [their fandom]'s comfort place. In our Weekly K-Fix, let's discuss why BTS' reunion is exactly the massive reset that the world needs right now.
As June progresses, fans of BTS finally rejoice the moment they've been waiting for since 2022. Six of the seven members of the band have now completed their military service, with SUGA set to reunite with the group on June 21. With the official discharge of Kim Taehyung (V), Kim Namjoon (RM), Park Jimin, and Jeon Jungkook, the return of the world's biggest boy band isn't just a pop culture event, it's a global reset. But for their fandom, it's something far deeper. WHY BTS AND ARMY's BOND IS UNIQUE
It's the comeback that was always promised, and one ARMY held onto with unwavering loyalty. The connection between BTS and ARMY has always defied conventional fandom dynamics. Their relationship - summed up by the acronym APOBANGPO ('ARMY Forever, Bangtan Forever'), coined by the leader Namjoon, is rooted in emotional reciprocity, built through lyrics, lives, and years of transparency.
For three years, BTS kept their presence alive through carefully orchestrated solo projects, pre-recorded content, and social media messages. Jungkook's Golden, RM's introspective Indigo, Taehyung's Layover and Jimin's Face topped the charts, while Jin's The Astronaut, Echo, Yoongi's D-Day and J-Hope's Jack In The Box gave fans glimpses of their evolving artistry. Each member used their solo chapter not just to explore identity but to maintain a connection with the ARMY. BTS AND ARMY: EACH OTHER's COMFORT PLACE
Now that they're back, the unspoken promise has been fulfilled. Exactly how RM once penned, 'You got me; I dream while looking at you. I got you; inside those pitch-black nights.' Over the years, fans have found healing, hope, and purpose in BTS' music. The group's early motto - Music and Artist for Healing - continues to echo through songs like Mikrokosmos, Spring Day, Magic Shop, Zero O'Clock, and Answer: Love Myself.
Across social media, thousands of fans have shared personal stories of how BTS' music helped them navigate dark, difficult moments. Whether battling depression, struggling with self-worth, or learning the language of self-love, songs like Epiphany, The Truth Untold, Answer: Love Myself, and Zero O'Clock became more than lyrics - they were affirmations of healing. The group's open conversations about mental health, personal growth, and vulnerability built a space where millions felt seen, heard, and supported. For many, BTS wasn't just a soundtrack; it was a support system. Their return, then, is not merely musical, it's personal.
And now, BTS is ready to return to where they belong - the stage, the studio, and the hearts of millions. THE GLOBAL SUPERPOWER
And yet, the comeback has a macro impact too. HYBE's stock surged over 15 per cent in the week of the discharges, a clear sign of investor confidence in the BTS effect. Pre-enlistment, BTS reportedly contributed over 30 per cent of HYBE's total revenue. Even in their absence, the appetite for a group reunion never wavered - and now, the stage is set.
From 2018 to 2021, BTS consistently broke global records by selling out Wembley Stadium, topping the Billboard Hot 100 multiple times, and becoming the first Korean act to receive a Grammy nomination. Their absence left a noticeable void. Award shows like the AMAs, BBMAs, and even the Grammys saw a dip in global engagement and streaming stats during the group's hiatus.
With a global tour on the cards and a new album in the works - as confirmed by the members themselves - the second half of 2025 could see a reordering of the pop world once again, with BTS back at the helm. WHY BTS WOULD NOT SKIP INDIA
For the Indian ARMY, the reunion holds even deeper meaning. Back in 2020, India was slated to be part of BTS' Map of the Soul world tour. The pandemic derailed those plans, but not the dreams of the Indian ARMY. Since then, India has emerged as a powerhouse fanbase, consistently ranking among BTS' top global streaming markets on Spotify, YouTube, and Twitter. COLDPLAY PROVED IT. BTS COULD BREAK IT
And now, there's a precedent with Coldplay in terms of scale. In 2025, Coldplay's Ahmedabad concerts generated an estimated Rs 641 crore in total economic impact. Of that, a whopping Rs 392 crore directly boosted Ahmedabad's local economy - from hotels and transport to retail and dining.
The concerts also brought in Rs 72 crore in GST revenue and drew over 2.22 lakh fans, setting the record for the largest stadium concert in Indian history. Other than that, the Mumbai concert generated over Rs 100 crore in revenue in three days. That's Coldplay.
Now imagine BTS - arguably a bigger draw globally - announcing even one date for a concert in India. With ARMY chapters spread across Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kolkata, it's not far-fetched to suggest that BTS could eclipse Coldplay's numbers, both in attendance and in economic influence.
A BTS concert in India wouldn't just be a show. It would be a festival of fandom, a multi-day economy booster involving air travel, pop-up stores, flash mobs, media coverage, and potential diplomatic headlines.
With the country's live music appetite now stronger than ever, thanks to Coldplay and Lollapalooza, there is simply no reason BTS should skip India on their tour map.
A BTS concert in India isn't just overdue - it's inevitable, and the country is more than ready! Join our WhatsApp Channel