Big Hit Music has announced that BTS will release a new album on March 20, 2026. It is going to the boy band's first group album since the 2022 anthology Proof and their first studio project since 2020's Be.The news has created a wave of notable online reactions across social media platforms. Netizens reacted excitedly, saying,"Finally, the music revival."BLOCKXS.COM @blockxsLINK@kchartsmaster Finally, the music revivalAhead of the official post from their label, BTS members sent handwritten letters to select members of their official fan club. A date was mentioned inside those notes: "2026.03.20." Some social media users stated that the group wanted ARMY to hear the news directly from them.In 2022, BTS announced a pause in group activities so the members could complete South Korea's mandatory military service. All seven members are now discharged and back together.In July 2025, the K-pop band reunited for the first time since 2022 and confirmed they were working on new music. The group stated,"We will be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year. Starting in July, all seven of us will begin working closely together on new music."They have also confirmed that a world tour will support the album's release, saying,"We are also planning a world tour alongside the new album. We will be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you are as excited as we are."It is worth noting that before any formal press release, BTS sent handwritten notes to members of their fan club. The letters arrived around the New Year. It included notes and the confirmed comeback date.Internet's reactions to BTS officially unveiling the release date for their first group album since 2022Kpop Charts took to its official X (formerly Twitter) page to share that,"BTS is confirmed to make their comeback on March 20th. This will mark the group's first comeback in 3 years and 9 months."Netizens were notably quick to jump into the comment section of the X post as they shared their excitement over the news. Below are some of their reactions:"Not a single K Pop group is dropping music at the time," declared an X user."The way nobody cares. Blackpink coming back this month,"commented another."This is huge, no doubt about it. Almost four years away, and BTS coming back together is going to shake everything. A lot has changed in K-pop, but you could always feel their absence. The space was there. They are coming back older, wiser, and with real life experience from what they have done on their own. That usually means the music will hit deeper, not just sound good. March 20th won't feel like a normal comeback. It will feel like a big return. Fans have waited a long time, and the hype is crazy. Love them or not, everyone will be watching this one," penned a third.Others also chimed in:"I will admit this. Nobody makes the comeback like the group. It is like a storm," hyped a netizen."We have come so far," expressed another.The boy band also did a live broadcast on Weverse on December 31, 2025. It was one of the first times fans saw all seven members together since their discharge.The upcoming album release will be their first full group project since all seven members completed their military service. Jin enlisted first in December 2022, followed by J-Hope in April 2023. Suga began his service later that year, while RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook enlisted together in December 2023.Also Read: Why was a woman arrested at BTS' Jungkook's home in Seoul? Police share details"Hard to revive trust once people moved on": Internet reacts as Megyn Kelly criticizes CBS and its evening news viewership