- BTS is widely expected to stage a full-group comeback in spring 2026 after all members completed military service.
- Since discharge, controversies — charity event criticism, dating rumors and fan protests — have fractured parts of the fandom.
- Members signaled work in progress during an August Weverse livestream, but public disputes and legal threats followed.
- Industry watchers say the next comeback will be key to restoring unity and public momentum.
Where BTS stands now
All seven BTS members completed their military duties in mid-2025, ending a two-and-a-half-year hiatus that many fans expected would lead into renewed group activity. The band has signalled plans for a 2026 comeback, with members confirming in an August Weverse live that they were “really working hard,” and that group activities were underway.
Momentum and mixed signals
That early momentum, however, has been tempered by a string of public controversies and intense online debate. What began as anticipation for new music has become a period of reputational repair for some members and a test of the fandom’s cohesion.
Controversies since military discharge
Three core incidents have shaped public attention: criticism of a celebrity charity event, recurrent dating rumors involving members, and visible fan backlash including protest trucks outside agency offices.
Charity event backlash
In October, RM, J-Hope and V attended the “Love Your W 2025” charity event meant to raise breast cancer awareness. Critics argued the occasion felt more celebratory and sponsor-driven than advocacy-focused. Patients and observers questioned the event’s tone, and some attendees, including BTS members, faced public censure.
Dating rumors and fan protests
Dating speculation around Jung Kook and aespa’s Winter intensified after social media users pointed to matching tattoos and fashion overlaps. The rumor escalated to protests outside HYBE Labels, while SM Entertainment prepared legal action against malicious online posts targeting Winter. Dating rumours about Jimin and a TV personality also resurfaced, prompting agency statements and renewed fan debate over privacy versus accountability.
What’s next: the 2026 comeback
Despite controversies, BTS maintains commercial clout. A renewed fan push recently pushed the 2018 track “Anpanman” to the top of a U.S. Billboard chart, underscoring the group’s enduring market power. Industry observers say the upcoming comeback will be a critical moment: it must both deliver artistically and help heal divisions within the fandom.
Can the comeback reset the narrative?
For a group long celebrated for unity, the months ahead are consequential. BTS’ agencies and members will need to balance transparency, boundaries and strong creative output. If the spring 2026 return aligns fresh music with clear communication, it could re-center the public conversation on their artistry rather than personal disputes.
Looking ahead
Fans and industry watchers will watch for official comeback dates, promotional plans, and how agencies handle ongoing legal and PR challenges. The next chapter for BTS will test not only their artistry but the resilience of a global fandom that has supported them for more than a decade.
Image Referance: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20251218/bts-eyes-2026-comeback-amid-fan-backlash