BTS Reunion Continues With Netflix Documentary BTS: The Return

BTS is officially returning. After nearly four years apart due to South Korea’s mandatory military service, the seven-member K-pop supergroup will reunite for their first full-group performance since 2022, and the moment will be broadcast live exclusively on Netflix.

The event, titled BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG, represents a major milestone for both BTS and Netflix. It will be Netflix’s first-ever live broadcast originating from South Korea, making the comeback not just a musical event, but a landmark moment in global streaming as well.

The live concert will stream on March 21, 2026, with start times adjusted for audiences around the world. The performance begins at 8:00 PM Korean Standard Time (KST), which translates to 4:00 AM Pacific Time (PST), 7:00 AM Eastern Time (EST), and 12:00 PM GMT.

Because the show is airing live from Seoul, fans in the United States and Europe will need to tune in early in the morning or stay up late to experience it in real time.

The concert will be available exclusively on Netflix and is included with all subscription tiers. No additional ticket or special access is required, meaning any Netflix subscriber worldwide will be able to watch the livestream without extra cost.

The performance will take place at Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Seoul’s historic Gyeongbokgung Palace, which dates back to 1395. The choice of venue adds deep cultural weight to the event, blending Korea’s historical heritage with one of its most globally influential modern music acts.

The concert also serves as a celebration of BTS’s fifth studio album, Arirang, which is set to be released on March 20, one day before the livestream. Fans can expect the first live performances of tracks from the new album, alongside the possibility of select songs from the group’s extensive back catalog.

According to Netflix, Arirang is described as “a deeply reflective body of work that explores their identity and roots.” The album’s title references a traditional Korean folk song, signaling a creative reconnection with cultural heritage following years of global success and individual projects.

All seven members, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, will perform together for the first time since their October 15, 2022 concert, which took place just before the group entered their military service hiatus.

The livestream is being directed by Hamish Hamilton, who has overseen the majority of Super Bowl halftime shows since 2010, setting expectations for a high-production, globally polished broadcast. The production is being handled by Done + Dusted, with executive producers including HYBE, BIGHIT MUSIC, Guy Carrington, Garrett English, and Kevin Hermanson.

Just six days after the live concert, Netflix will debut a feature-length documentary titled BTS: The Return on March 27, 2026. The film documents the making of Arirang and follows the group’s reunion after completing military service.

Directed by Bao Nguyen, known for The Greatest Night in Pop and The Stringer, the documentary captures BTS as they reunite in Los Angeles to create music together, returning to a shared creative space shaped by time apart and personal growth.

According to the official description, the film explores “how to begin again, how to honor the past without being bound by it, and how to move forward together.”

It promises unprecedented behind-the-scenes access, showing moments of doubt, reflection, and rediscovery as the members navigate their reunion. Producers include This Machine, HYBE, and EAST Films, with Jane Cha Cutler, R.J. Cutler, Elise Pearlstein, and others involved in the project.

Following the Netflix livestream, BTS will launch the ARIRANG World Tour, which will run across 2026 and 2027. The tour is set to include 82 shows across 34 regions, with stops planned throughout Asia, North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

It will be the group’s first full-scale world tour since 2022 and one of the largest in their career, reflecting the enormous demand built up during their hiatus.

Since December 2022, the BTS members have been completing South Korea’s mandatory military service. Jin and j-hope were discharged in 2024, while RM, V, Jimin, and Jung Kook completed their service in early June 2025.

During this period, each member released solo projects that highlighted their individual artistry. RM released Indigo, Jin shared “The Astronaut,” j-hope dropped Jack In The Box, Jimin released FACE, V revealed Layover, and Jung Kook released Golden. SUGA also released D-Day under his Agust D alias. These projects allowed each member to explore new creative directions outside the group dynamic.

Now, BTS is returning as a group shaped by military service, solo work, and personal growth. The upcoming documentary and album are expected to examine how those experiences have transformed them and how that evolution will influence their work moving forward as BTS.

For Netflix, the livestream marks another step in its expanding push into live programming. The platform has increasingly invested in live events, including WWE Raw, NFL Christmas Gameday, high-profile boxing matches, major tennis events, and upcoming MLB games and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG will be Netflix’s first live global broadcast from South Korea, and given BTS’s immense fanbase, it could become one of the most-watched live streams in the platform’s history.

BTS’s fanbase, known as ARMY, is widely regarded as one of the most organized and influential fan communities in music. Beyond record-breaking album sales and sold-out tours, ARMY has been involved in large-scale philanthropic efforts and global advocacy.

The group’s economic impact is so significant that BTS has been estimated to account for roughly 0.3% of South Korea’s GDP, a fact underscored when shares of HYBE dropped sharply following the group’s 2022 hiatus announcement.

ARMY’s global coordination means the March 21 livestream is likely to dominate social media, with viewing parties planned worldwide and real-time reactions spreading across platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram.

Fans planning to watch the concert are encouraged to check their local time zones carefully, ensure a stable internet connection, and listen to Arirang ahead of the performance to recognize new songs as they debut live. Many are also marking their calendars for March 27, when BTS: The Return premieres.

The livestream and documentary represent just the opening chapter of BTS’s next era. Following these releases, the group will embark on their extensive world tour, bringing their reunion to audiences across the globe.

For a group that has already achieved historic milestones, from topping the Billboard Hot 100 to addressing the United Nations, the Arirang era signals a more mature, reflective chapter, centered on identity, roots, and reunion after years apart.