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BTS set to return as one in June — here’s what’s next
The official poster for the 2025 edition of BTS FESTA, the K-pop group's annual debut anniversary celebration / Courtesy of BigHit Music
By Pyo Kyung-min
12th anniversary celebration runs through June 14
BTS FESTA, the annual festival that brings together K-pop megastar group BTS and its global fan base ARMY, opened Sunday with a collection of both online and offline celebrations.
The festival takes place every June to mark BTS' debut on June 13, 2013, and runs for about two weeks. In 2023, a massive 10th-anniversary event was held in Seoul's Yeouido Hangang Park, while last year's edition took place at Jamsil Indoor Stadium and included a fan meeting with Jin, who had just completed his military service.
This year, BigHit Music, a HYBE Labels subsidiary and BTS' agency, said the event has expanded in both size and variety compared to previous years.
According to an announcement posted on the band's official social media channel Sunday, this year's offline BTS FESTA will be held on June 13 and 14 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, housing over 20 booths across two exhibition halls.
At the heart of the venue will be the "ARMY Bomb Photo Spot," featuring a giant version of BTS' official light stick and a synchronized lighting show. Other exhibition areas include the "Voice Zone," where fans can hear audio messages from BTS members; the "Trophy Zone," reflecting BTS' musical achievements; and "BTS Locker," showcasing personal items from the artists.
A variety of hands-on experiences will add to the fun. Fans can make pin buttons and sachets in the "DIY Zone," color in the album artwork at the "Coloring Wall" and enjoy music curated by BTS in the "Spotify Playlist" corner. Free gifts will also be offered through multiple sponsor booths.
An official schedule for the 2025 edition of BTS FESTA, the group's annual anniversary celebration / Courtesy of BigHit Music
Alongside the in-person festivities, special online content will roll out as part of the celebration. From Sunday to June 13, BTS will release a series of digital content, including appearances by Jin and J-Hope, both of whom finished their mandatory military service.
"We're sincerely grateful to ARMY for the endless love and support you show BTS," BigHit Music said through an official release, Sunday.
"We've significantly scaled up the venue, content and operations this year. We'll do everything we can to make sure everyone walks away with joyful and lasting memories."
This month also marks a pivotal moment for the group, as all seven members will complete their mandatory military service by late June. RM and V are set to be discharged on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jung Kook on June 11. Suga, currently serving as a public service worker, will complete his term on June 21.
To coincide with the BTS FESTA, J-Hope will two encore solo concerts, “J-Hope Tour 'HOPE ON THE STAGE' FINAL,” on June 13 and 14 at Goyang Sports Complex. As six members will be discharged by then, speculation is rising over whether they will reunite on stage during the FESTA or J-Hope’s concert, even briefly.
The group’s last release as a full unit was the 2022 anthology album “Proof,” and their most recent concert was the “Yet to Come in Busan” show in October that year. While fans are eager for a full-group comeback, industry observers suggest a new album is unlikely to arrive immediately due to the time needed for post-discharge transitions and production work.