On the first full posting day of 2026, we must begin with the biggest music story of the year so far and nothing’s really happened yet. But just the announcements have set off expectations for what will be a massive story over the next 12 months, guaranteed. And it wasn’t even new news! This is the power of BTS.

Since all seven members reunited at the end of their military service last summer, we always knew there would be a comeback. And we also knew that it would be in the spring. I wrote a whole article back on 2 July 2025 basically predicting that the album would drop on the Spring Equinox, March 20, which happens to be a Friday, as in New Music Friday. This doesn’t make me a genius, it was just obvious – and it’s still hitting the way it’s hitting now that it’s official.

March 20 is indeed the album release date, with 14 tracks. And a symbol. The IG has been scrubbed. A new website has launched. And now ARMY is trying to figure out what these three red circles mean, complete with an installation at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul.

Tour dates are coming on January 14. This is when the bedlam will begin – because we have waited four years, so the demand isn’t just there, it’s actually nuclear at this point. You know how people were talking about The Eras Tour and the effect on local economies? It was this way in 2021 and 2022 during BTS’s last overseas shows in Los Angeles and Las Vegas before they enlisted. And this was at the end of COVID, when people were still baby-stepping back out into the world! So if RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are coming to your city, now that we are very, very, very outside again, don’t be surprised by the takeover. The takeover is guaranteed…although I am already practising my eyerolls for the people who will still be all like, huh, why is this Korean band causing shutdowns in major metropolises across the globe? But that won’t be you, right? Because you’ve been visiting this site and are now fully aware of Bangtan’s massive influence?

Just in case, I’ll have more to say in the coming weeks and months and months and months. All year, really. 2026 is BTS’s year. And, hopefully, possibly, Beyoncé. This is why I did nothing over the holiday break. This is why I will continue to do nothing but save my money – because BTS and Beyoncé will be taking it. Until then, it’s austerity measures!

What else happened today…

Kathleen’s wonderful piece on the best Black performances of 2025 including, obviously, her imaginary husband Michael B Jordan. (Refinery 29)

The Golden Globes are happening in six days, this coming Sunday. In anticipation, the Fug Girls are remembering the fashion from the 2006 Golden Globes. Emma Thompson’s dress still surprises me and I still love what Ellen Pompeo wore. Also, that’s a baby Scarlett Johansson! (Go Fug Yourself)

Did Marcello Hernandez get married over the holiday break… and not to Sabrina Carpenter? (Pajiba)

The Ringer is starting 2026 with backstabbers, scammers, and assholes. It’s a pop culture traitors bracket! I love this idea. Littlefinger vs Hulk Hogan is diabolical. (The Ringer)

The annual debate about taking the tree down and the holiday lights is happening right now. Our Christmas tree is still up – judge me, I don’t care. The tree is in the living room, next to my couch, aka where I’ve been parked for three weeks. And in order to remove it, Jacek would have to be messing around in that space and disturbing my peace. This is why the tree is still there, because I was not about to give up a single minute this weekend to observe some kind of rule about how long a tree should stay up. It’ll come down next weekend. But the lights outside the house will stay until at least after Lunar New Year in February. (Celebitchy)

Photo credits: Chris Jung/ Nurphoto/ Shutterstock

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