Before BTS: The Return Drops, Relive the K-pop Group’s Global Takeover

By Elizabeth Paige Richardson | March 26, 2026 | Best TV Shows of the Week

Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook in BTS The Comeback

A few years ago, it felt impossible to walk into a retail store without hearing “Butter” or “Dynamite” blasting from the speakers before K-pop group BTS went on hiatus in 2022.

This year, BTS’ fanbase—the ARMY—has reason to celebrate again. The seven-member group finally reconnected after completing their military service and kicked off their reunion with a bang: a free concert, a new album, and a documentary to capture all the behind-the-scenes info.

While the industry has pumped out new groups to cover all sorts of niches, the explosive comeback proves the group still has their signature star power. Here’s a refresher on how the group dominated more than just the music world.

They reached the top of the charts—and the world—as a team

While the members of BTS—Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook—released their first project together in 2013, their popularity started to skyrocket in 2018. Their album Love Yourself: Tear debuted on the top spot of the Billboard 200 and made history as the first K-pop album to go to number 1 on the chart.

The sky was the limit from there. Fans have continued to queue outside the door at the Line Friends store in Times Square to browse the BT21 collection merch that debuted in 2017. A similar craze took place when the group teamed up with McDonald’s, once in 2021 and again in 2025 with TinyTAN toys.

Aside from products, the group was also making music with a number of other hot artists, including a 2021 remix of “Butter” featuring Megan Thee Stallion and “Boy With Luv” with Halsey.

They did ‘divide and conquer’ with stellar solo careers

Although the temporary hiatus of BTS had a lot of ARMY members highly emotional online, it’s not like there was complete radio silence from the popstars. Members thrived as they took the opportunity to put themselves out there as solo artists.

In October 2022, Jin released his solo single in collaboration with Coldplay’s Chris Martin called “The Astronaut.”

j-hope rang in the new year by performing to over 13 million viewers during the annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in 2023. In March, Jimin released his solo single “Like Crazy,” which shot up to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and made history as the South Korean solo artist to top the chart. To close out the year, the group’s youngest member Jung Kook collaborated with Usher on his “Standing Next to You” remix in December.

Safe to say, the break was busy for all involved.

They executed a carefully coordinated comeback for millions of fans

On Mar 21, fans got exactly what they were waiting for when BTS came back from their military service and solo projects. The group performed a free concert in Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea, spotlighting their newest album “Arirang.” 22,000 concertgoers clamored to see the group’s famously tight-coordinated choreography.

The party wasn’t just in person; over 18 million viewers across the globe streamed BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG on Netflix. Many fans copped their tickets to the group’s 2026 world tour after getting caught up in the hype.

We’re sure that cultivating a perfectly packaged comeback wasn’t all fun and games. So before you drive out to the stadium carrying your newest BTS lightstick, don’t miss the behind-the-scenes look at BTS’ journey to pop culture domination (again).