BTS is heading back to Studio 6B. The seven-member K-pop group will appear on consecutive episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 25-26, marking their first full-group late-night television appearance in the United States since 2021.
The appearances, which include a sit-down interview with Fallon and two musical performances, will air five days after the group’s highly anticipated comeback album ARIRANG drops on March 20. The timing aligns with BTS’s global Netflix livestream event “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG” on March 21 and precedes their documentary BTS: THE RETURN, which premieres March 27 on the streaming platform.
First Full-Group Late-Night Return Since Military Service
THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON — Episode 1211 — Pictured: (l-r) Jin, Jimin, and Jungkook of BTS, with host Jimmy Fallon and V, RM, SUGA, and J-Hope of BTS in Grand Central Terminal on February 24, 2020 — (Photo by: Andrew Lipovsky/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Wednesday’s episode (March 25) will feature the interview segment and BTS’s first performance, with the second performance airing Thursday, March 26. The booking represents a significant milestone: it’s the first time all seven members — RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook — will reunite on a U.S. late-night program since completing South Korea’s mandatory military service requirements.
Individual members have made solo appearances on The Tonight Show during the hiatus. SUGA, Jung Kook, Jimin, Jin, and j-hope each stopped by Studio 6B for interviews and performances while promoting their respective solo projects between 2022 and 2025. However, the group hasn’t performed together on the show since their memorable July 2021 “BTS Week” takeover, which generated nearly 120 million digital views across platforms and featured performances of “Butter” and “Permission to Dance.”
ARIRANG: A Comeback Years In The Making
The Tonight Show performances come at the peak of BTS’s comeback rollout. The group’s fifth studio album ARIRANGarrives March 20 after a nearly four-year gap since their last full-group project, 2022’s anthology album Proof. The 14-track record features collaborations with Ryan Tedder, Diplo, Mike WiLL Made-It, Flume, and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker.
The album’s title references “Arirang,” one of Korea’s most famous traditional folk songs, a choice that signals the group’s intention to blend cultural heritage with their signature global pop sound. Lead single “Swim,” co-written by RM, explores themes of perseverance and resilience, reflecting the group’s journey through military service and reunion.
BTS has maintained a close relationship with The Tonight Show throughout their career. Beyond their 2021 takeover week, the group has performed on the show multiple times, including memorable renditions of “Dynamite,” “Boy With Luv,” and “ON.” Fallon has repeatedly expressed his admiration for the group and their global fanbase, ARMY, making The Tonight Show a natural home for their late-night comeback.
What Else To Expect
March 25’s episode will also feature actor and dancer Ariana DeBose, while the March 26 broadcast includes appearances from Chris Pratt and Charlie Day alongside BTS’s second performance.
Fallon and The Tonight Show’s social media accounts confirmed the booking with a video featuring BTS’ “Young Forever” playing in the background, generating immediate excitement from ARMY, who have been anticipating the group’s full return to U.S. television since their December 2025 reunion announcement.
With an 82-date world tour launching April 9 and running through March 2027, the Tonight Show appearances represent just the beginning of BTS’s most ambitious era yet.