BTS reunion in 2026 or earlier—how long are we really waiting?

As J-Hope became the second member of BTS to complete his mandatory military service in October 2024, fans grew closer to the long-awaited reunion of the popular K-pop group. However, a recent report from allkpop.com suggests that the reunion might take a little longer than expected.

During HYBE’s Q3 earnings call on November 5, CFO Lee Kyung Joon shared some details about the group’s future.

‘We are currently in discussions with the members about activities in 2026,’ he said. While a full group comeback would undoubtedly generate substantial revenue, Lee noted that the band's reunion might not contribute as much to the company’s earnings as in the past, as other artists and new ventures are also driving growth for the label.

BTS temporarily disbanded in 2022 due to the mandatory military service of its eldest member, Jin. HYBE had originally announced that the group would reunite after all members completed their service by 2025.

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To date, Jin and J-Hope have finished their military duties, with the rest of the group scheduled to complete their service by June 2025. However, HYBE’s latest comments suggest that a full reunion of BTS may not happen until 2026.

The seven members of BTS have been on hiatus since 2022 due to South Korea’s mandatory military service, a requirement for all South Korean men under 30, owing to the country’s ongoing tensions with North Korea. J-Hope completed his 18-month military service in October and praised the sacrifice of soldiers who work to ensure the country’s safety. Jin finished his service in June, and the remaining members will follow suit next year.

Despite the delay in a full group comeback, individual members continue to release solo projects. Jin, for example, is set to drop his first solo album this November. Another challenge to the reunion comes from member Suga, who faced controversy earlier this year after a drunk e-scooter incident in Seoul, which led to a significant drop in HYBE’s stock price.

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