From BTS to BIGBANG and BLACKPINK: What’s Next for K-Pop’s Biggest Groups in 2026

Great news for K-pop fans — it looks like 2026 will be a big year for South Korea’s biggest musical acts. 

BTS, BIGBANG, and BLACKPINK all have exciting announcements for the year that include new albums, world tours, and long-anticipated reunions.

What They’ve Been Up To

BTS reunited in 2025 after taking a nearly four-year break to pursue solo projects and serve their mandatory military service (a near two-year requirement for those who identify as male and able-bodied in South Korea).

BIGBANG went from a five-member act to a quartet following the Burning Sun scandal involving one of their members in 2019. The four remaining members released their comeback single "Still Life" in 2022. Member T.O.P departed the group a year after with the rest of the bandmates leaving their label to pursue solo projects. 

In recent years, BLACKPINK members have popped up in pop culture’s biggest moments. The group renewed their contract with YG Entertainment in 2023 while also pursuing solo music and other creative ventures. They kicked off their Deadline World Tour in mid-2025, with its run concluding in January 2026.

BTS in 2026

Surprise, surprise. The long-anticipated BTS’s comeback tour is expected to be record-breaking. 

According to Billboard, the world tour will encompass “79 dates globally in more than 34 cities,” and is estimated to bring in a billion dollars for their label HYBE, stemming from “concerts, merchandise, licensing, album sales and streaming revenue.” 

The massive world tour is expected to run from April 2026 to early 2027. 

New music for the ARMY — BTS’s fandom nickname — is also on the way: a digital album titled Arirang is set to release March 20, 2026, and features 14 tracks.

Pre-sale tickets for the upcoming tour began Thursday, January 22, exclusively for BTS ARMY members. Tickets will officially go on sale Saturday, January 24.

BIGBANG in 2026

2026 marks the 20th anniversary debut of one of K-pop’s most celebrated acts.

Kicking off the milestone year, current members G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung are set to perform at Coachella 2026, marking a major moment for longtime fans.

Fans can also rejoice: a new album is currently in the works, which will be the group’s first first full-length release since MADE in 2016.

G-Dragon released his long-awaited solo album Übermensch in 2025, with Taeyang and Daesung making guest appearances during select stops on his world tour. Their upcoming Coachella performance will officially mark the group’s return as a trio.

BLACKPINK in 2026

Following BLACKPINK’s Deadline world tour in 2025, the group’s third mini album, also titled Deadline, is set to release on February 27, 2026.

BLINKS — the group’s devoted fandom — already got a taste of what’s to come with the release of the single “Jump” last year.

In the meantime, all four members have been busy carving out high-profile solo careers.

Rosé released her debut solo album Rosie, led by the breakout hit “APT” featuring Bruno Mars. The track earned "Best Song of the Year" at the 2025 VMAs and garnered multiple Grammy nominations.

Lisa received critical praise for her acting debut in the third season of The White Lotus and released Alter Ego, her first-ever solo album, in 2025.

Jisoo dropped Amortage, her second solo mini album, in early 2025, followed later that year by “Eyes Closed,” a collaboration with Zayn that cracked the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. Top 10.

Jennie released her debut solo album RUBY and celebrated the project with an intimate four-city tour, with five songs from the album making the Billboard Hot 100.

Both Lisa and Jennie also took the Coachella stage in 2025 as solo performers.