After a long hiatus, marked by solo ventures and military service, BTS is back in the studio preparing their long-awaited return. In a heartfelt message shared with fans on Weverse Friday, group leader RM confirmed that he and his six bandmates are “working diligently” on a new album that is slated for release in spring 2026.

The record will be the band’s first since their 2020 LP Be, which was released during the height of the pandemic, and their first world tour since Permission to Dance On Stage wrapped in 2022. The comeback marks a pivotal moment for BTS, who stepped away from group activity at the end of that tour to fulfill South Korea’s mandatory military service and to pursue individual projects.

In his note, RM described what it feels like to reunite with his fellow members after two years largely spent apart. “It’s already been a little over two months since I was discharged from the military,” he wrote. Now based in Los Angeles, RM explained that he is adjusting to a new rhythm of life while reconnecting with the group’s collaborative energy. “I live, work, and play with the members. It’s a really strange experience. It feels like ‘Bon Voyage Pyeongchang.’”

The rapper, who released his solo albums Indigo (2022) and Right Place, Wrong Person (2024) during the hiatus, reflected on rediscovering the feeling of working “together” again. “Making something with these friends, I’m going to commit myself to this moment,” he said, adding that he hopes their upcoming project becomes “a kind of beauty.”

RM also offered a surprisingly detailed look at his day-to-day schedule. He said he usually wakes around 10 a.m., begins with a workout and breakfast, and then spends afternoons and evenings in the studio with BTS, typically from early afternoon until nine at night. After work, he finds himself sitting alone on the terrace of the house the band has rented, reflecting on the past, present, and future.

This balance of routine and contemplation, RM implied, is feeding into the creative process as BTS push toward completing their first group record in six years.

Though RM stopped short of revealing a title or musical direction, he did confirm that the project will be the official “next album” from BTS. Recording began in July, and industry insiders expect the release to arrive in spring 2026, followed by a global tour. That trek would be the group’s first live outing in four years, and anticipation is expected to be immense given the band’s absence from international stages.

Each BTS member has carved out a solo lane during the hiatus, from Jimin and Jungkook’s Billboard-charting pop releases to Suga’s world tour under his Agust D moniker. Yet the group has consistently stressed that these projects were designed to strengthen, not replace, their collective work. RM’s latest note underscores that point, signaling a new chapter in their shared story.

RM closed his update with gratitude and affection for the group’s global fanbase, ARMY. “I miss you. It’s a long time… I guarantee you, I’ll be there soon. I’ll do my best until then. I love you.”