So, we may not have digested the news that BTS really are coming back and that the world tour announcement has been revealed. The panic mode is on, the group chats are alive, and hotels are booked in anticipation. As we wait for the panic station that is ticketing… good luck to everyone. I wanted to reflect on Chapter Two and how significant it felt. What was interesting was the comeback announcement and the rollout promotion so far. For me, I became an ARMY at the end of 2021. So to me chapter two was a crazy time, as not only was I so new to a band that had a huge discography that was hard enough to keep up with, but now a new solo chapter?
While not really understanding much, I was loving every second. I think one of my first reviews for KpopWise was for chapter two and the now legendary Jack in the Box by j-hope. The first to embark on the solo chapter. What we didn’t know then was how much content from each member was to transpire. We saw genres, collaborations, and heartfelt stories packed with emotions that felt like personal diary entries.
Those entries were revealed in 2024’s FESTA, giving a little reassurance in the lyrics “The intersection of souls we've created over the years // I am so grateful and happy to be with you. // Let's continue to be happy together in the future.” This set of particular lyrics was sung with the highest regard. With SUGA addressing the fans in honorifics, something they’ve not done before. Both a term of respect and incredibly intimate.
Letters of gratitude to us even when serving their military enlistments. Not to mention the solo stages have been incredibly creative, and 2025 FESTA, both of which we’ve been very lucky to have covered over the last two years. Read about them here.
Throughout the whole chapter two rollouts, it’s been different each time, and we the fans love it. We love a challenge, and the fandom got to work when the upcoming new album was announced to ARMYS via membership letters. The now confirmed BTS26 website cryptically appeared Friday, 2nd January, and even giant photo opportunities with the logo had appeared in Seoul. Soon London and Paris, to name a few, saw billboards arrive across the cities before the tour announcement. This is where the fun begins, as fans love to theorise, and it’s what makes comebacks so fun. But with BTS it's another ballgame. In fact, you need a PhD to get into what it means with past albums such as Map of the Soul, which explored identity and self, to name a few, inspired by the philosopher Carl Jung and his book Map of the Soul. People have linked 2016’s Wings album to the logo. Which brings this altogether: hints that the logo links to the past, present and future. With chapter two now concluded and showing all their tastes, textures and lots of surprises in terms of concepts and genre. It was a fantastic insight into what they aimed to say during their 2022 FESTA dinner. You know the one. The one that caused a media storm and focused on the word “hiatus”.
But what was told came to life as all seven embarked on their own colourful path, and what we saw was an energy unlike any other. Not to mention ground-breaking solo stages. That synergy will return in full force on March 20th, 2026, with BTS's fifth full-length album. It feels like just yesterday we watched j-hope jump out of the box as the first solo K-pop headliner at Lollapalooza in Chicago. From there, he released Hope On The Street, accompanied by a docu-series with each chapter linked to a song on the album. Collaborating with Jungkook, Yunjin of Le SSERAFIM, and Nile Rogers. It was in chapter two that we got to see a deeper, intimate side look at who Jung Hoseok is beyond the Hope side, the man behind the stage name.
Following his discharge from the military, we saw a much more mature and sultry version with his Charm of Hope segment featuring “Killin’ It Girl (feat. Gorilla)” that saw him in a completely different light. With his Hope on The Stage tour going across the US & Asia, his encore shows in Seoul saw him display his abs complete with hip-thrusting choreography. Berlin got a taste of this on full display as he once again headlined Lollapalooza, this time in Berlin. Hobipalooza 2.0 saw him in his strongest and final form.
August saw Jin take to stages across the US and Europe with #RUNSEOKJIN_EP. The tour showcased his much-loved sense of humour and charm wonderfully. He proved that being yourself can be brought to the stage, and it can be done just as well, if not better, than what we saw on his YouTube show. Perhaps the most magical part of this chapter is seeing members just shine. Agust D’s D-DAY album and movie offered an introspection as he navigated the many sides of who he is as an artist, be it SUGA, Min Yoongi or Agust D. He closed that door peacefully with the D-DAY tour, followed by an encore in Seoul.
Namjoon displayed his artistry like few others can. Indigo gave us a look into his mind entering his 30s and leaving behind his 20s experiences that one cannot begin to even imagine. Leading one of the biggest groups into the western market and the continuing scrutinizing and the pedestal placed upon them all. But he does what he does best, and that’s created from a place of kindness and wisdom.
Collaborating with artists on Indigo felt like a curated art display, and the album brought a universal feeling we could all relate to: comfort. That’s a strength of Namjoon’s that many fans and the members have flocked towards him for. He went a different direction with Right Person, Wrong Place. Yet again producing a piece of art in its own right. A documentary accompanied this piece and the exploration of genres; this was an album that needed you to sit, feel and soak it all up.
Jungkook proved why he’s the golden maknae. Going full pop prince and surprising many with his album being entirely in English. His debut single, “SEVEN (feat. Latto)”, had everyone's jaws wide open with his very bold and sexy lyrics, marking a new mature step. “3D” followed with Jack Harlow, continuing that evolution and side of Jungkook that many were more than happy to relish in.
This chapter as a whole was most definitely a way for each member to step beyond the imagery perhaps portrayed by the media, and each did so with confidence. “SEVEN” broke records and reached number one on the Billboard HOT 100, cementing his status as the golden maknae. The 12-track album gave a little bit of everything genre-wise and demonstrated his vocal abilities well. Just listen to a “shot glass of tears”, and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
Tae took us to a spiritual place. He created a safe haven of sound mixed with that deep, unmistakable voice; it was nothing short of perfection. As someone who usually gravitates towards rap raplines music, I surprised myself with how much I loved this album. It’s the perfect switch-off listen and so undeniably Tae, layered with emotion yet carrying a carefree softness in its sadness. “Love Me Again” was heart wrenchingly beautiful, bordering on poetic. It also saw cinematic videos for each track that reflected the mood wonderfully. Overall the album was packed with slow sounds and is just what you needed when needing to just switch off. We also saw him collaborate with the queen herself, IU, in a music video that was equal parts stunning and then emotionally pure torture.
Nicknamed 'winter bear', Tae gave us the much-needed warmth for the colder months. A time to ease the ache of darkness and quiet of missing the boys. That comfort was enveloped in his duets with “Winter Ahead (feat PARK HYO SHIN)” and later a landmark duet with legendary Bing Crosby on a reworked version of “White Christmas”. Of course, like all the members, we saw him become a fashion ambassador of Celine and grace the covers of many magazines.
Jimin released FACE and completely surprised me with “Set Me Free”. We’ve always known him as the angel of the group with those eye-watering high vocals that we wish to aspire to at karaoke, but this song in particular sounded free and raw. It was darker and murkier, and the lyrics encapsulated a time when he needed to tackle his own emotions. Second album Muse was a lighter listen, one that felt like being on a theatrical joyride on tracks like “Smeraldo Marching Band”, and of course “Who” dominated the playlists of ARMY, and who can forget that choreography? Not only getting our attention but also going on to break records, holding another Hot 100 record.
Jin. Our Jin. The humour and heart of the group are always aiming to bring happiness to the core of the fandom. He prides himself on the art of being happy. Always stating that being happy is the point of life, and he always wants that for everyone. It’s a hard thing to do. His album Happy was layered with some incredible rock ballads, such as the track “Another Level”. Surprising to see his genre switch on his second album, Echo. That sparked the tour – hearing “Rope It” live was life-changing. But it was again his willingness to play with genres and produce tracks you didn’t expect to hear that has made this chapter so amazing to experience.
For me, I would love to see the members cover each other's songs on the tour. We saw Jin and J-Hope switch their solo concept pics for FESTA, and something similar on stage would be a beautiful and playful nod to the chapter. A chapter that gave us 11 solo albums and 15 collaborations with artists across the music industry, from Tablo and Megan Thee Stallion to j.cole. And three OT7 songs: bad decisions, the planet, and take two. Proof that they never really left the fandom to silence.
That was the hiatus. The hiatus that never really hiatuses.
Throughout their chapter and enlistment, the promise of meeting again on the first spring day remained paramount. The track “Spring Day” is somewhat of a joining anthem between the members and fandom. So, it’s not surprising that this promise is once again upheld as the date lands on the first day of spring. As the spring equinox arrives, so too does the promise come to life; just as the boys promised, we would meet again on that spring day.
Of course by now the world will be watching and waiting to see what is undoubtedly going to be the most anticipated comeback in the industry. Many talks of global impact will be discussed. But for me it’s the emotional and sentimental side I look forward to and hope people focus on. I also hope that the seven members can enter this chapter with less pressure – despite the world's expectations – and that as individuals this new chapter serves as their time to be whoever and whatever they choose to be.
Their upcoming tour will see them together onstage since their brief Permission To Dance mini-tour dates in 2022 in Seoul and the US following Proof. The compilation of their work to date puts an impressive full stop and end to their first chapter. Now, a new era begins, one where the boys can regroup, explore freely, and play with. One, I hope they can be happy creating whatever they want. Chapter two, perhaps, was a reminder to expect the unexpected.
Having spent the last few months recording and living together in LA, there is no doubt that whatever they create will be filled with passion and inspiration.
So, get yourselves ready as the boys in 2026 live on Weverse with an energy full of combustion. It can only be compared to a bunch of loose puppies or a group of teenagers left home alone without parent supervision. That sense of excitement is an indication of both the group and fans finally welcoming a comeback.
All tour details, ticketing, and membership information can be found here
And all our Chapter two coverage including event coverage can be dived in here.
