- BTS plans a full-group comeback in spring 2026 after all members completed military service.
- Recent controversies — a criticized charity gala, dating rumors and fan protests — have split the fandom.
- RM’s candid comment about considering disbandment highlighted emotional strain within the group.
- Despite turmoil, BTS retains strong commercial pull with renewed chart success.
H2: Comeback expected in spring 2026 after military discharge
All seven members of BTS have completed their military service, with rapper Suga finishing alternative service on June 21. After a two-and-a-half-year interruption, the group signaled a return to group activities — most notably during an August Weverse livestream where the members appeared together and RM said, “We’re really working hard,” fueling expectations for a spring 2026 comeback.
H3: A rocky post-hiatus period
What many hoped would be a smooth return has instead been marked by controversy. In October, RM, J‑Hope and V attended the “Love Your W 2025” charity event meant to raise breast cancer awareness. Critics said the gala felt overly celebratory, with heavy sponsor exposure and little substantive focus on patients’ needs. The event drew public backlash and put attending celebrities under scrutiny.
H3: Dating rumors and fan protests
Dating rumors involving Jung Kook intensified in December after fans pointed to matching tattoos with aespa’s Winter. Neither agency confirmed the rumors, but some fans treated the reports as fact. The situation escalated when a protest truck parked outside HYBE Labels’ Yongsan headquarters carrying messages accusing the group and other parties of “fan deception.” SM Entertainment later said it would pursue legal action against malicious online posts targeting Winter.
Rumors surrounding Jimin and television personality Song Da‑eun also resurfaced. BigHit Music issued a statement acknowledging that Jimin and Song had shared mutual feelings in the past but said they were not in a current relationship.
H3: Tensions within the fandom and RM’s candid remark
During a December live broadcast, RM said he had “considered tens of thousands of times whether it might be better to disband the team,” a remark that underscored the pressure and emotional toll on the members and deepened divisions within the fandom.
H2: Commercial strength remains intact
Despite the controversy, BTS maintains strong market impact. A renewed push from fans drove “Anpanman,” from 2018’s Love Yourself ‘Tear,’ to the top of a U.S. Billboard chart more than seven years after its release. Industry watchers note that the group’s cultural and commercial pull can still mobilize significant support.
H4: What’s next for BTS and ARMY
As BTS prepares for a full-group comeback, observers will be watching whether their new release and public activities can mend a fractured fandom and reset the narrative. The next few months are likely to shape how the group navigates privacy, accountability and fan expectations as it returns to global stages.
Image Referance: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20251218/bts-eyes-2026-comeback-amid-fan-backlash
