“What’s exactly going on?” — ARMYs react as BIGHIT MUSIC issues clarification on BTS’ comeback delay speculations

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Newsen reported that BIGHIT MUSIC clarified whether BTS will resume their group activities post their military enlistment. The agency, which is a HYBE Corporation affiliate, stated that they are in discussion with the band members about their 2026 comeback activities.

HYBE CFO Lee Kyung-joon went on to say that the firm no longer depends exclusively on BTS' activity since by the time they return, the company's other K-pop groups would be expanding concurrently. Lee Kyung-joon added that he doesn't expect BTS' "sales ratio to be as high as in the past."

"We are still discussing 2026 activities with the members, so the projection has not been made yet. Of course, if they make a comeback as a full group, there will be significant sales, but at the same time, since the new businesses of our other artists will grow along with it, I do not expect the sales ratio to be as high as in the past."

The HYBE CFO stated that they will inform fans at the right time when the Dynamite group decides something.

"Once specific plans such as the timing and method are decided, we will inform fans at the appropriate time."

The statement baffled the BTS ARMY, who were wondering if the group would return in 2025 or 2026. One fan wrote on X:

"What's exactly going on?"

Supporters noted that BIGHIT MUSIC was being "careful" with their statement regarding the group's comeback to avoid unnecessary rumors.

"It sounds like Big Hit Music is being careful with how they communicate updates, especially with BTS still having members in the military. The mention of 2026 seems to be more about future plans around a potential tour, not necessarily group activities. It’s good to know they’re keeping fans in the loop, though!" a fan wrote.

"Idc idc as long as they're done with their ms, they're unstoppable. Be it a tour, album, or anything, EVERYTHING, all I need to know is 7 of them are free, healthy, and together in the same group." another fan said.

"Tbh idt we even need this discussion at this point cos, as they pointed out, there are still members who are in the military. they don’t need to be discussing this (but i know how hands-on the tannies are) while they’re in there. as armys, can we just wait for them patiently???" one other fan wrote.

Several fans stated that they were not in a rush to see the group's reunion because they wanted the seven members to take their time recovering after serving in the military.

"Let them take that damn rest till when they are ready. No need to rush. As long as we are still breathing we will wait for them," one fan said.

"Maybe people should let them come home & take a moment before resuming group activities it’s not like they have been on summer camp for 18mths," another fan added.

"Only the ignorant thought that they were going to hop right back into it in 2025 instead of having a chance to be real humans again. We always knew it was going to be 2026 that 2025 was them being back together as 7 and reconnecting," another fan stated.

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Exploring details of the 2023 contract renewal of BTS with BIGHIT MUSIC

In September 2023, BIGHIT MUSIC (now HYBE Labels under HYBE Corporation) announced renewing the individual contracts with all seven members. Forbes reported that the Butter band decided to extend their contracts in October 2018, five years after making their debut in June 2013.

The label announced:

"The board of BigHit Music all agreed to renew the exclusive contracts of BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook."

K-pop contracts typically run in seven-year increments. However, BTS renewed their contracts two years before the end of their initial contract both times, in 2018 and 2023 respectively. Hence their third contract renewal shouldn't have occurred before 2027, which puzzled fans.

Speculations ran amuck online if BTS' Kim Taehyung or Jeon Jungkook chose not to renew their respective deals with the label due to their alleged mistreatment by the company. Fans have voiced their concerns about Taehyung not getting proper promotions for his solo album release, Layover (2023).

Earlier on September 30, 2024, Taehyung's English single, FRI(END)S, was nominated at the 2024 UK Music Video Awards (UK MVA). However, fans trended hashtag phrases like "HYBE RESPECT TAEHYUNG," and "HYBE SABOTAGE TAEHYUNG" and demanded proper promotion for his nominations.

Similarly, in October 2024, fans claimed that HYBE and Geffen Records ignored fans' demands of restocking Layover vinyl globally which poorly impacted the album's charting on Billboard and playlisting.

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BTS' Namjoon (RM), Taehyung (V), Yoongi (SUGA), Jimin, and Jungkook will return from the military in June 2025. BTS' Jin was discharged from the military on June 12, 2024, and j-hope returned on October 17, 2024.