Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr
13 years after debut, BTS stages triumphant return to where it began
A promotional poster for BTS FESTA / Courtesy of BigHit Music
By Lee Kyung-min
BTS will celebrate its 13th debut anniversary as a full group with the return of BTS FESTA — an annual two-week festival where the group rolls out rare music and digital content as a gift to its global fan base — unveiling a packed schedule of events alongside a pair of highly anticipated, sold-out stadium concerts in Busan later this month.
The group released the timetable for “2026 BTS FESTA” through its official social media channels Sunday, outlining nearly two weeks of carefully curated archival events leading up to its June 13 debut anniversary. This year’s theme, “13(B)TS,” underscores a symbolic new chapter beyond the group’s first 12 years, framing a narrative of BTS and its global fan base, ARMY, embarking on their next collective era together.
The festival begins Wednesday with the release of the group’s annual family photo, a signature anniversary tradition dating back to 2014. A performance video for “Hooligan,” a standout track from the group’s fifth full-length album “ARIRANG,” will follow Thursday. Additional documentary-style content, including “NORMAL LOG” and “13 SIDE FILM,” is scheduled for the weekend, offering fans an intimate look into the members’ current daily lives and candid, unscripted moments behind the scenes.
The group’s popular self-produced variety program will also return Tuesday and Wednesday under the moniker “Run BTS 2.0.” The original series remains a cornerstone of the band's digital ecosystem. Its recent three-part special, “Run BTS: BTS’s Trip,” alongside related promotional teasers, has already approached 30 million cumulative views on YouTube.
On June 12, BTS will officially release “Come Over,” a track previously available exclusively on the deluxe vinyl edition of “ARIRANG.” Produced by Suga, the song centers on themes of resilience and finding one’s way back to a loved one despite periods of uncertainty. Concurrently, the group will drop a limited-edition picture disc vinyl version of the album.
The celebrations will culminate at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on June 12 and 13 as part of the “ARIRANG” world tour. The sold-out shows mark the group’s first performance in Busan since October 2022, when they took the stage for the city’s World Expo bid. The band concluded its 15-show North American leg on Thursday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, drawing 840,000 attendees across five cities.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.