The Lunar New Year holiday may be coming to an end, but excitement is only building. From idol groups with massive fandoms to artists returning from military hiatus and even long-awaited reunions, the post-holiday season is set to usher in a full-scale comeback rush in the K-pop industry.
BTS Returns as a Full Group After Four Years, Walking the “King’s Path”
After a long wait, BTS is poised to prove the weight of its name once again.
The group will make its highly anticipated return to the music scene on March 20 with its new album ‘ARIRANG,’ marking its first full-group comeback in approximately four years following the members’ military service hiatus. The seven members will reunite on stage at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 for ‘BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG,’ reconnecting with fans in person.
The special performance celebrating the release of ARIRANG will symbolically announce BTS’s return as the members walk along what is often referred to as the “King’s Path.” According to venue and filming permit applications submitted last month by HYBE to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korea Heritage Service, the group will pass through Geunjeongmun, Heungnyemun, Gwanghwamun, and Woldae before taking the stage.
Expectations are already soaring. BTS’s fifth full-length album ARIRANG recorded 4.06 million pre-orders within just one week of reservations opening. Their three-day concert, “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN GOYANG,” scheduled for April 9, 11 and 12, sold out entirely during fan club pre-sales.
The world tour will kick off in Goyang before heading to Tokyo Dome in Japan on April 17 and 18. The group will then travel across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. Due to overwhelming demand, additional shows have been added in Tampa and Stanford in the United States. Notably, BTS will become only the second artist, after Coldplay, to hold a solo concert at Stanford Stadium.
The tour will span 34 cities with 81 performances, marking the largest number of shows ever for a K-pop tour.
BLACKPINK Showcases the Beauty of Korea
BLACKPINK will return even sooner, reuniting as a full group on February 27.
According to their agency, YG Entertainment, the group’s third mini album ‘DEADLINE‘ will capture “the best irreversible moments” and “Blackpink at their most radiant right now.” The five-track release includes the title song “GO” as well as pre-release track “Run,” along with “Me and My,” “Champion,” and “Fxxxboy.”
In the unveiled visual poster, the members are dressed in white-toned outfits that accentuate graceful, curved silhouettes, maximizing sculptural beauty. Even without elaborate props, their restrained elegance stands out. With a single gaze, the members exude sophistication, once again reminding global fans why BLACKPINK is celebrated as embodying “the beauty of Korea.”
Having long surpassed the title of a popular girl group to become a symbol of K-pop itself, Blackpink is already generating swift reactions overseas. Known for their commanding concept execution, the group seamlessly integrates music, visuals, and performance to solidify its brand value.
This comeback will once again spotlight a fusion of Korean sentiment and modern sensibility. From February 26 through March 8, Blackpink will collaborate with the National Museum of Korea on the “NMK X Blackpink” project. The meeting between one of Korea’s most representative cultural institutions and a group that has helped write K-pop history is drawing considerable attention.
BLACKPINK is the first K-pop artist to carry out an official large-scale collaboration with the National Museum of Korea. As a fresh attempt to bridge music and cultural heritage, the project is expected to captivate not only global fans but also figures in the cultural sector and the general public.
Wanna One Reunites After 7 Years, Announces Reality Show Comeback Instead of Album
Can this really be happening? Wanna One is officially back.
The project group that once defined an era is reuniting nearly seven years after their disbandment. During its active years, Wanna One dominated digital charts, album sales, and overall buzz, cementing its status as one of the most influential boy groups of its generation. Unsurprisingly, news of the reunion sparked an immediate and explosive response from fans.
However, the group’s return will not come in the form of a new album. Instead, Wanna One is set to announce its comeback through a variety program. According to Mnet, the members are currently preparing a reality show slated for release in the first half of this year. While the exact broadcast schedule and details have yet to be finalized, recent sightings of the members across various locations strongly suggest that filming is already underway.
Ahead of their long-awaited reunion, the members shared handwritten messages to greet fans first. The letters carried heartfelt sentiments — including from Kang Daniel, who is preparing to enlist in the military in February, and even from Lai Kuanlin, who has since stepped away from the Korean entertainment industry and is currently residing in China.
Their sincere words, filled with gratitude and longing, deeply moved fans and heightened anticipation for the group’s first official reunion in seven years.
Male Solo Showdown: Kim Sung Kyu, Woodz, and Onew
March will also see an intense battle among male solo artists.
Kim Sung Kyu, the first to announce his comeback, has teased a lyrical mood built on his signature emotional vocals. WOODZ, returning with a full-length album on March 4, will continue the narrative following his mega-hit “Drowning.” Meanwhile, Onew will make his comeback on March 9 with his new release’ TOUGH LOVE,’ pledging to expand his distinct musical universe and present a more sincere and evolved image as a solo artist.
The Lunar New Year holiday may be over, but the clock in the music industry has not stopped — in fact, it is spinning faster. With full-group reunions, long-awaited returns, and fierce solo rivalries converging, March’s charts are expected to heat up like never before.
