You will not need a plane ticket to feel the comeback and watch their concert. According to the Korea Herald’s exclusive report on February 3, Netflix will livestream BTS’s comeback performance “BTS The Comeback Live | ARIRANG,” after the release of their new album “ARIRANG,” and ahead of the “BTS: THE RETURN” documentary. Here’s what you need to know about BTS’s comeback and why it matters.
BTS Comeback 2026: Album, Live Stream, and Documentary on Netflix
After nearly four years away, BTS will return to the stage with a new album, a historic global livestream, and a documentary in 2026. Read on to discover the details of the upcoming album, live concert, and BTS comeback in 2026.
BTS Comeback 2026: Timeline
One week, three releases, and one clear message. Here is the timeline:
- March 20: BTS’s 5th album “ARIRANG” releases.
- March 21: “BTS The Comeback Live | ARIRANG” streams live on Netflix.
- March 27: “BTS: THE RETURN” documentary releases.
This pacing does something innovative. It gives fans a first listen, a first look, and then the backstory.
What Is BTS’s New Album in 2026?
BTS’s new album in 2026 is “ARIRANG,” this marks the group’s first full album release in three years and nine months.
The last time the group released a whole project was the anthology album “Proof” in June 2022, before each member entered military service.
What Is “ARIRANG”?
The album title “ARIRANG” references a traditional Korean folk song. According to Big Hit Music, “ARIRANG” captures BTS’s identity as a group that began in Korea.”
The album is a deeply personal project made by all seven members of BTS. This is the group’s first full-length album in three years and nine months.
Their last one, Proof, came out in June 2022, before military service. That gap shaped everything in “ARIRANG.”
The 14-track album carries deep meaning. All seven members worked on the songwriting and production.
They poured their personal experiences into the songs: the struggles, growth, and emotions from their time apart. Through the songs, they wanted to share “the honest stories BTS has long wanted to tell ARMY (their fanbase) with music that feels “most true to BTS.”
When Will “ARIRANG” Be Released?
“ARIRANG” drops March 20, 2026, at 1 p.m. KST, one day before the “BTS The Comeback Live | ARIRANG” concert. This new album is in three years and nine months since the anthology album “Proof” (2022).
What’s confirmed about BTS’s new album in 2026:
- Title: “ARIRANG”
- Release Date: Friday, March 20, 2026, at 1 p.m (KST)
- Album type: Fifth full-length album, sixth in the Korean language.
- Total tracks: 14 songs
- Edition options: Standard CD, vinyl variants, and digital download.
- Concept: Explores BTS’s roots and identity, as well as the emotions the members wish to convey.
- Album versions: Two physical editions—”Rooted in Korea Ver.” and “Weverse Albums Ver.”
- Pre-orders: Available from January 16, 2026, through retailers including Weverse Shop, SOUNDWAVE, MUSICPLANT, and Ktown4u.
Netflix “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG”: What, When, and Where
BTS will perform a one-time comeback show at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, 2026. That is just one day after releasing their fifth studio album, “ARIRANG.”
Moreover, Netflix will livestream it globally, marking the platform’s largest livestream of a Korean cultural event.
Netflix’s decision to live-stream the event worldwide is meant to show that Korean culture is now at the top of the international platform. The group deliberately picked Gwanghwamun Square because it represents Korea’s heart and their own roots.
What’s confirmed about the BTS x Netflix Live Streaming Concert
- Title: “BTS – The Comeback Live: Arirang”
- Date: March 21, 2026
- Time: 8 p.m. KST
- Venue: Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul.
Netflix Livestreaming: How to Watch, Tickets, and Why This Deal Matters
According to Netflix, the BTS live-streaming concert will be available exclusively on its platform and will be included with all plans.
Find out what’s confirmed, what’s still pending, and why it matters.
What’s confirmed about “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG”
- You need a Netflix account.
- The livestream is included in all plans.
- Netflix operates in 190+ countries, so that most regions can access the service.
What’s not confirmed yet
- If there will be a replay right after the stream.
- What languages, captions, or dubs will be offered live?
- On-site entry rules and crowd controls for the square.
- Set list.
2026 Gwanghwamun Square Comeback: Why Gwanghwamun Square?
Netflix describes the venue as historic and links it to Gyeongbokgung Palace via Gwanghwamun Gate. This is the first-ever solo concert by a Korean act at Gwanghwamun Square. In other words, this is not a random plaza. It’s a front door to Korean history.
Venues and Capacity
- Gwanghwamun Square: Approximately 18,000 – 20,000 capacity.
- Seoul Plaza (in front of City Hall): Approximately 30,000 capacity (Reports suggest that there will be a separate free event on the same weekend).
Key Event
- Media and Broadcast: Netflix Livestream
- Reach: More than 190 countries.
- Potential audience around 300 million subscribers.
- Scale: Comparable to a “global livestream event similar to the World Cup or Olympics.”
Technical Elements
- Nighttime media-facade projections on the walls of Gwanghwamun and Sungnyemun.
- Live relay of the performance across the platform.
- Architecture is integrated into the stage rather than LED screen backdrops.
Access and Ticketing
- Admission: Free
How to Secure Your Spot
Seoul granted conditional permission, and multiple outlets describe it as a free show, but the entry rules have not yet been fully published.
BigHit will announce official registration details for the concert ticket raffle via Weverse.
The selection process for reportedly 18,000 to 20,000 in-person spots is usually by a random raffle. Thousands of fans will apply for each available seat, so early preparation matters.
Having your Weverse membership ready before registration opens gives you a head start. Therefore, if you are a BTS fan and want to watch their next concert, you must have an active ARMY membership on the Weverse app to participate.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Step 1: Download the Weverse app if you don’t have it already.
- Step 2: Ensure your ARMY Membership is active and up to date.
- Step 3: Monitor the Weverse app for official announcements about the “Comeback Concert” registration.
- Step 4: Watch BigHit Music’s official Twitter/X account for the raffle application period.
- Step 5: Apply during the announced period, as the competition will be intense.
Cultural and Historical Context
Venue Significance:
- Gwanghwamun Square represents Korean identity and national history.
- Traditionally reserved for national events and large-scale civic gatherings.
- Recently restored public space.
- Connection to Korean Heritage:
- “Arirang” is one of Korea’s most iconic traditional folk songs.
- Performance is designed to link BTS to Korean roots and identity.
- Modernized hanbok worn in past palace performances (2020 “IDOL” stage at Gyeongbokgung).
“BTS: THE RETURN” Documentary on Netflix: What it Covers and When it Drops
Netflix “BTS: THE RETURN” premieres on March 27 as a companion to the live concert “ARIRANG.” The giant platform brings you both the live concert and behind-the-scenes coverage.
On March 21, the livestream will reportedly reach 190+ countries. It describes the film as a behind-the-scenes look at the making of “ARIRANG,” featuring director Bao Nguyen and production partners, including HYBE.
This kind of release does two jobs at once. It gives fans context for the music, and it stretches attention beyond one night. For Netflix, it also keeps viewers on the platform after the livestream ends.
Then, on March 27, the documentary “BTS: THE RETURN” premieres exclusively on Netflix. The documentary shows how BTS reconnected after military service. It captures rehearsals, creative decisions, and the emotions behind “ARIRANG.”
Fans get rare access to how the group evolved individually as it prepared to reunite.
What will you see in the documentary?
- Rehearsal footage and studio sessions
- The creative process behind Arirang
- Moments of personal reflection and growth
- How the members reconnected as a unit
- The Global Tour Follows the Concert
- 79 shows across five continents
BTS “ARIRANG” World Tour
After the Seoul concert, BTS’s “ARIRANG” World Tour will start from April 2026 to March 2027. The tour spans 34 regions across five continents and includes 80+ shows.
This is their first major world tour since “Permission to Dance On Stage” ended in 2021-2022. It reconnects BTS with international fans who’ve waited years for this moment.
- Kick off in April 2026 at Goyang Main Stadium
- 34 regions across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia, with 79 performances (record for K-pop).
Why This Moment Matters
BTS returns with clarity about who they are. They’ve served their country and had space to grow as individuals. Now they’re bringing seven different voices back to one stage, united by gratitude and fresh creative energy.
The Netflix partnership shows how K-pop reaches global audiences now, not through clips or delays, but through synchronized worldwide broadcasts. A viewer in Jakarta watches the same performance at the exact moment as a fan in Seoul. That’s unprecedented at this scale.
For BTS, “ARIRANG” isn’t just a return. It’s a homecoming, and they’re taking the world with them. What aspect of the comeback are you most excited about? Share your thoughts below.
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