A fan poses with a group photo of BTS during a celebration marking the group’s 12th debut anniversary in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, June 13. AP-Yonhap
Six months after all members of the K-pop juggernaut BTS completed their long-awaited military discharge, the return of the genre’s most influential group remains defined as much by uncertainty as anticipation.
The seven-member act is widely expected to make a full-group comeback in spring 2026, but the period following its military hiatus has been marked by a series of personal controversies and public scrutiny. Together, they have exposed fault lines within the fandom over privacy, accountability and the pressures facing a group whose every move carries global weight.
BTS’ military hiatus officially ended June 21, when the group’s rapper Suga completed his alternative service. The moment ended a two-and-a-half-year pause that many fans believed would clear the way for a straightforward return. With all members discharged, expectations were high that the group would smoothly transition into its next chapter.
Instead, the months that followed have been turbulent.
In August, optimism briefly resurfaced when all seven members appeared together in Los Angeles during a Weverse live broadcast, their first group appearance since completing service. The livestream was widely interpreted as a signal that preparations for full-group activities were underway.
“We’re really working hard,” RM told fans during the broadcast, adding that the group would be returning to work the following day. Other members echoed similar comments, reinforcing expectations for an impending comeback.
BTS members speak during a live broadcast on Weverse, a global fan platform in August. Courtesy of BigHit Music
That momentum soon gave way to controversy. In October, RM, J-Hope and V attended the controversial “Love Your W 2025” charity event, an initiative intended to raise awareness about breast cancer. Although the event attracted numerous top Korean celebrities, it drew swift backlash for what critics described as an overly celebratory atmosphere that clashed with its stated mission.
Criticism centered on flashy performances, heavy sponsor exposure and a perceived lack of substantive engagement with breast cancer awareness. Breast cancer patients publicly questioned the event’s sincerity, and as scrutiny intensified, celebrities who attended also became targets of public criticism.
Tensions within the fandom escalated further in December with dating rumors involving Jung Kook. Speculation spread after fans noted that Jung Kook and aespa member Winter appeared to have matching tattoos. Neither artist’s agency confirmed or denied the rumors, but the alleged relationship was treated as fact by some fans, sparking debate.
While many fans emphasized the importance of respecting artists’ private lives, others expressed frustration over what they viewed as a lack of consideration for fans who felt confused or unsettled. Some accused the artists of “misleading fans” by allegedly failing to conceal tattoos, accessories and overlapping fashion choices later interpreted as evidence of a relationship.
The backlash escalated when a protest truck appeared outside HYBE Labels’ Yongsan District headquarters, bearing a message criticizing what it described as “fan deception.” Winter’s agency, SM Entertainment, later announced plans to take legal action against malicious online posts targeting the singer.
Jung Kook of BTS performs on NBC’s Today show at Rockefeller Center in New York City, U.S., Nov. 8, 2023. Reuters-Yonhap
Dating rumors involving BTS member Jimin also resurfaced back in August. Speculation linking him to television personality Song Da-eun had circulated intermittently since 2022, but tensions rose after Song released a video showing her encountering Jimin in an elevator. BigHit Music, which had previously declined to comment, issued a detailed statement saying the two had shared mutual feelings in the past but were not currently in a relationship.
Another destabilizing moment came Dec. 6, when RM addressed fans during a live broadcast shortly after Jung Kook’s dating rumors gained traction. The BTS leader said he had “considered tens of thousands of times whether it might be better to disband the team,” a candid remark intended to convey emotional strain but one that sent shockwaves through the fandom.
Despite the turbulence, BTS’ commercial and cultural pull remains intact. On Wednesday, the group’s agency announced that “Anpanman,” a track from BTS’ 2018 album “Love Yourself ‘Tear,'” had reached the top of a U.S. Billboard chart more than seven years after its release, driven by renewed fan support.
As BTS moves closer to resuming full-group activities, industry watchers are closely observing whether the group’s next comeback can stabilize a divided fandom and reset the narrative. For a group that has long symbolized cohesion and endurance, the months ahead may prove as consequential as the long-awaited return itself.