BTS comeback fuels ‘ARIRANG’ wave as TXT, rookie CORTIS line up next

BTS / Courtesy of BigHit Music

BTS’ long-awaited return may have dominated headlines, but the real story now is what comes after. With the group’s “ARIRANG” comeback already shaking the global music scene, its labelmates are rapidly stepping in — turning one comeback into what fans are calling a full-blown “HYBE relay.”

The K-pop supergroup returned as a full unit for the first time in three years and nine months with its fifth studio album “ARIRANG” on Friday. The album blends BTS’ signature storytelling with universal themes, while the title track “SWIM” delivers an alternative pop sound about pushing forward through life’s waves.

BTS / Captured from "SWIM" music video

The comeback reached a peak with “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG,” held at Seoul’s iconic Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday. The event marked the first time a single group has staged a large-scale concert at the historic site, drawing massive crowds and global attention. It was also streamed live to viewers in over 190 countries via Netflix — reportedly the first time the platform has broadcast a stand-alone artist concert in real time.

But even as the excitement from BTS’ return continues to ripple across social media, attention is quickly shifting to what fans see as the next phase: a wave of releases from their so-called “younger brother” groups.

TXT / Xportsnews

First in line is TXT, set to release its eighth mini album “7TH YEAR: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns” on April 13. The album title reflects the group’s journey since its debut, while its poetic phrasing has sparked anticipation among fans who see it as a callback to TXT’s early musical identity.

The release carries added weight as it marks the group’s first full-group comeback since all members renewed their contracts with BigHit Music last August — a move that reassured fans about the group’s long-term future.

CORTIS / Xportsnews

Following TXT, rookie group CORTIS is preparing to continue its rapid rise with its second mini album “Greengreen,” set for release on May 4. The group will prerelease its title track on April 20, building momentum ahead of the full album.

CORTIS has already been gaining traction among younger audiences, particularly through short-form video platforms. Its track “Youngcreatorcrew,” which sparked a viral trend online, will also be included in the upcoming release.

The group has drawn significant industry attention as BigHit Music’s first new act in six years. Its debut album “Color Outside the Lines” surpassed 2 million copies in cumulative sales and entered the Billboard 200 chart at No. 15 in its first week — reportedly the highest debut ranking for a K-pop group album outside of project units.

With BTS’ return reigniting global interest in K-pop, the rapid succession of releases from TXT and CORTIS is expected to further energize the market. For fans, what began as a single comeback is now unfolding into a broader moment — one where BTS’ influence extends beyond its own stage and into a new generation of artists.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.