ARMY, it’s official: BTS is stepping back onto the world stage.
Netflix and HYBE announced BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG, a global live performance streaming exclusively on Netflix on March 21, 2026, marking the group’s first full reunion performance since completing South Korea’s mandatory military service. The event will stream at 8 p.m. KST, landing in the U.S. at 4 a.m. PT and 7 a.m. ET.
Broadcast live from Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, the performance celebrates the release of BTS’ fifth studio album, ARIRANG, and signals the beginning of a new chapter for RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook.
A Netflix First, Live From Korea
The comeback special isn’t just a milestone for BTS. It’s also a landmark moment for Netflix.
BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG becomes Netflix’s first-ever globally livestreamed event originating from South Korea, expanding the platform’s growing slate of live programming. Previous Netflix live events have included major sports broadcasts, celebrity boxing matches and global music specials, but this marks a cultural first for K-pop on the service.
Directed by Hamish Hamilton and produced by Done + Dusted, the ticketed event promises a tightly produced showcase centered on BTS’ evolving sound and shared history.
Inside ARIRANG and the World Tour Ahead
The live performance arrives one day after the release of ARIRANG, an album the group describes as deeply rooted in identity and reflection. The record explores personal growth, creative independence and the bond that held the group together during their time apart.
Following the album’s release, BTS will launch the ARIRANG World Tour (2026–2027). The tour is set to span 34 regions and 82 dates, reaching audiences across Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America and the Middle East.
The Story Behind the Reunion
Netflix isn’t stopping at the stage.
On March 27, 2026, the platform will debut BTS: THE RETURN, a feature-length documentary chronicling the group’s reunion and creative process. Directed by Bao Nguyen (The Greatest Night in Pop), the film follows BTS as they regroup in Los Angeles to make music together for the first time since their hiatus.
Rather than focusing solely on spectacle, the documentary centers on transition, how seven artists reconnect after time apart, reckon with personal change and rediscover their shared voice. The film blends candid studio moments with reflection, offering a portrait shaped by trust, humor and creative risk.
Produced by This Machine, HYBE and EAST Films, the documentary provides unprecedented access while avoiding nostalgia traps, framing BTS’ return as a forward-looking evolution.
A Defining Moment for BTS, and Netflix
Together, the live event and documentary underscore BTS’ enduring cultural impact and Netflix’s ambition to expand global live programming. For fans, it’s a rare chance to witness both the scale and the intimacy of BTS’ return, from a historic Seoul performance to quiet moments behind closed studio doors.
More details about ticketing for the live event are expected soon. One thing is already clear: March 2026 belongs to BTS.
