BTS is officially back—and this time, it’s all seven members together. On July 1, without any teaser or countdown, BTS surprised fans with an unannounced livestream that had OT7 (all seven members) gathered casually on a couch, reconnecting with fans for the first time since completing their mandatory military service.
The livestream wasn’t just a nostalgic reunion; it was a full-circle moment. For longtime ARMYs, it marked the first group appearance since September 2022. What began as a candid chat about adjusting to civilian life quickly spiraled into a momentous announcement: new music is on the way—and a new world tour is being planned.
Miss them so much literally crying seeing OT7 live and all of them in one frame 💜
— BTS Galaxy⁷ 🌌 (@Jiyaa98) July 1, 2025
BTS BTS BTS
BTS IS COMING
BTS IS BACK
BTS COMEBACK pic.twitter.com/Muzm2MzWdw
Members RM and Jimin joked about how surreal it feels to be back—comparing the return to something between a vacation and a dream—while the others chimed in with inside jokes and side commentary. But the most emotional takeaway for fans came with the confirmation that a new BTS album is coming in spring 2026. The news, casually dropped during the live, was later confirmed by Variety and other outlets. It will be their first group release in years and the most anticipated since Proof.
And the surprises didn’t stop there.
BTS also announced they’ll be releasing their first-ever official live album, featuring recordings from their record-breaking Permission to Dance On Stage tour. That tour, which took place both online and offline during the height of pandemic-era restrictions in 2021 and 2022, reached over 4 million fans worldwide. The upcoming live album, dropping July 18, will include 22 tracks, behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive interviews, and high-definition concert footage. Pre-orders are already live, sending ARMYs into a frenzy across platforms.
Online reactions poured in just minutes into the surprise stream. “I’m torn between the fact that it’s finally OT7 again and the fact that they’re already working on music—it’s overwhelming,” one fan wrote. Another posted,
“They’re going back to their roots and doing it all together again. This comeback is going to hit different”
What stands out this time around is the group’s hands-on involvement. Multiple members hinted that they’re diving deeper into the creative process—from songwriting and visuals to overall concept direction. And with a tour in the early stages of planning, 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for BTS, both musically and culturally.
BTS are definitely trying something new for their comeback album and will be more hands-on in it than ever
— 🌸 (@seokjinbit) July 1, 2025
IM SO FREAKING EXCITED FOR 2026 BC NOT ONLY WILL WE BE GETTING AN OT7 ALBUM BUT WE’LL ALSO GET THE BTS WORLD TOUR pic.twitter.com/0zguAP60Og
