What ‘7-year curse’? BTS, Blackpink and the new era of global K-pop
As the K-pop powerhouses return to centre stage, they set a daunting new benchmark for those who would follow in their footsteps
Last month’s 2025 BTS Festa saw more than 60,000 fans pack the Kintex centre in the Seoul suburb to commemorate the group’s anniversary.
That same weekend, J-Hope held the final dates of his world tour in a nearby stadium complex, marking the first time all seven members of BTS were seen on stage together again since they had fulfilled their mandatory military service.
In a live stream, the group set the internet alight by announcing that a comeback album and long-awaited world tour were in the works for spring, delighting their global fandom, or “Army”.
“Hey guys, we are back,” band member Jimin told viewers. “We’re also planning a world tour alongside the album. We’ll be visiting fans all around the world.”
Just a few days earlier, thousands had gathered outside the headquarters of Hybe, the agency that manages the group, in Seoul’s Yongsan district, braving the summer heat for a fleeting glimpse of their idols.