South Korean group BTS announced the release of a new studio album, scheduled for March 20, 2026. This was announced by Big Hit Music on January 1, 2026, following a distribution of handwritten letters from the group's members to their official fan club.

This will be the band's first studio release since the album "Be" in 2020 and their first full-length disc since the collection "Proof," released in 2022. The title of the new album has not yet been revealed.

In their messages, the group members expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming release. "We've been looking forward to this moment the most," RM wrote. Jimin noted, "The long-awaited time has arrived," and V added, "We'll create even more unforgettable memories in 2026, so get ready!"

All seven members of BTS gathered together for the first time in nearly a year on July 1, 2025, in a livestream on the Weverse platform. This marked their first joint appearance since September 2022, when the members began their mandatory military service in South Korea. During the broadcast, the group confirmed they were working on new material, stating in a press release: "We will release a new BTS album in the spring of next year. We will begin working closely on new songs starting in July."

In conjunction with the album's release, BTS is planning a world tour. Tour details, including a list of cities and dates, have not yet been announced.