The Moment ARMY Has Been Waiting For

After more than two years of separation due to mandatory military service, the impossible has finally happened. On July 1, 2025, all seven members of BTS—RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook—reunited for their first collective Weverse livestream since September 2022, sending shockwaves of excitement through the global ARMY community.

The 30-minute broadcast, which attracted over 7.3 million viewers in real-time, marked a historic moment not just for the K-pop industry but for millions of fans who have patiently waited through the group's hiatus. Squeezed together on a cozy-looking couch, the seven members smiled, laughed, and shared their plans for the future, officially confirming what fans have been dreaming of: BTS is back.

From Military Service to Musical Mastery

The journey to this reunion began in December 2022 when Jin became the first member to enlist in South Korea's mandatory military service. Under the Military Service Act, all able-bodied Korean men must serve 18 to 21 months between the ages of 18 and 28. For BTS, this meant an inevitable but temporary goodbye.

The Discharge Timeline That Made Headlines

• Jin: First to enlist (December 2022), first to be discharged (June 2024)
• J-Hope: Discharged a few months after Jin
• RM and V: Completed service on June 10, 2025
• Jimin and Jung Kook: Discharged on June 11, 2025
• Suga: Final member to complete service on June 21, 2025

The emotional scenes at military discharge locations, with hundreds of fans gathering to celebrate, painted a picture of unwavering devotion. As V said after his discharge: "I have remade my mind and body, and now I want to run to ARMY as quickly as I can."

The Big Announcement: Spring 2026 Comeback

During the historic July 1 livestream, BTS dropped the news that sent the music industry into overdrive: their official comeback is scheduled for Spring 2026.

"We'll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year," the group announced. "Starting in July, all seven of us will begin working closely together on new music. 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."

What This Means for the Music Industry

Industry insiders are calling this comeback the return that will reinvigorate the entire K-pop industry. As one report stated: "It is the comeback millions of fans and an entire multibillion-dollar industry have been waiting for." The announcement alone sent HYBE's stock prices soaring, and a massive sign on the company's Seoul headquarters proclaimed: "We are back."

The Solo Journey That Shaped Their Return

While separated, each member embarked on remarkable solo ventures that have only enhanced their individual artistry:

• Jung Kook: Released the chart-topping album "Golden" (2023)
• V: Dropped his introspective album "Layover" (2023) and starred alongside IU in the drama series
• Jimin: Released two critically acclaimed albums: "Face" (2023) and "Muse" (2024)
• Suga: Completed his trilogy with "D-Day" (2023) and embarked on a massive world tour
• Jin: Released two EPs, "Happy" (2024) and "Echo" (2025)
• J-Hope: Continued his musical journey with "Jack in the Box" and explored acting opportunities
• RM: Released "Indigo" (2022) and "Right Place, Wrong Person" (2024)

As RM reflected during a livestream: "This is the first time I took such a long break from creating. It must have recharged me in some ways, so now that we are back, we'll make something fun and share with you."

The Immediate Celebration: BTS Festa 2025

The reunion couldn't have been timed better. The group's return coincided with BTS Festa 2025, the annual celebration of their debut anniversary on June 13. Held at KINTEX in Goyang, the expanded event featured over 20 exhibition booths across two halls, including:

• A giant "Army Bomb" light show and photo zone
• "Voice Zone" featuring members' voice messages
• "Trophy Zone" displaying the group's achievements
• "BTS Locker" exhibiting the members' personal items

What's Coming Next: A New Era Begins

The 2026 World Tour

Alongside their new album, BTS has confirmed plans for a world tour. "We're also planning a world tour alongside the new album. We'll be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you're as excited as we are," they announced.

This will be their first world tour since the "Permission to Dance On Stage" tour, which attracted over 4 million attendees worldwide before their military hiatus.

New Content and Collaborations

The group has already begun working on new material, departing for the United States on July 8, 2025, to begin album preparations. Fans can also expect:

• The return of beloved variety shows like "Run BTS"
• Potential collaborations building on successful solo partnerships
• More mature, evolved music reflecting their individual growth

The Cultural Impact of Their Return

BTS's reunion represents more than just a musical comeback—it's a cultural phenomenon. J-Hope captured the magnitude perfectly: "When we're all back together as a group, it's going to have a huge impact, and everybody's going to be watching. I'm excited to see what it'll feel like when we perform together again."

The group's ability to maintain their global relevance during a two-year hiatus speaks to their extraordinary impact on popular culture. Their return is expected to:

• Reinvigorate the K-pop market globally
• Influence other entertainment companies' military service strategies
• Set new standards for group comeback campaigns

A Testament to Loyalty and Patience

Perhaps most remarkably, this reunion showcases the unprecedented loyalty between BTS and their fans. Despite years of uncertainty and separation, ARMY waited patiently, supporting each member's solo endeavors while maintaining faith in the group's eventual return.

The emotional response to their reunion—from trending hashtags to viral social media content—demonstrates that some bonds transcend time and distance. As one fan perfectly captured the sentiment: "Seeing OT7 together after all this time is everything."

Looking Ahead: The Promise of Tomorrow

As BTS embarks on this new chapter, they carry with them not just the experiences of their solo journeys but the wisdom gained from their military service. Suga's reflection sums up the group's mindset: "I think that over the past two years, I took time to think about myself... this time gave me the opportunity to reflect on myself once again."

With their Spring 2026 comeback on the horizon and preparations already underway, BTS is poised to reclaim their throne as global superstars. But more than that, they're ready to show the world what they've learned, how they've grown, and why their bond remains unbreakable.

The wait is almost over. The purple ocean is ready to welcome them home. BTS is back, and the world will never be the same.

Stay tuned for more updates on BTS's comeback preparations and exclusive content as we count down to their highly anticipated Spring 2026 return.