BTS reunited as a full group for the cover and pictorial of ‘GQ’s March 2026 issue,’ released on February 13. The feature marks their first group interview since announcing a hiatus in 2022.
The seven members, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, had not lived together since 2019. After completing mandatory military service and focusing on individual careers, the group came back together to prepare for their long awaited comeback.
In the interview, RM described the structured routine they followed while working in Los Angeles, where they lived under one roof for two months. “We’d do six days a week, like businessmen,” he said. The members trained together in the morning, returned home for lunch, and reported to the studio by early afternoon, working on new music until the evening with various songwriters and producers.
The experience reminded them of their trainee days, though now framed by global achievements that include record breaking sales, billions of streams, and major Billboard chart milestones. Reflecting on the album making process, RM said the group approached it “like digging for a piece of gold,” adding, “And I think we kind of found one,” in reference to their upcoming fifth studio album and world tour.
The interview also addressed the emotional weight of their return. In December, RM revealed during a Weverse livestream that he had considered disbanding the group “thousands of times” due to mounting pressure. In the GQ feature, the members spoke candidly about how they supported one another during difficult moments. “They’re just such boys,” RM said with a laugh, while V shared, “Although we make fun of him in the front, in the back we’re crying [too].”
BTS also reflected on their military service, which provided a rare period of routine life. SUGA, who served as a public service worker, said, “I was actually never, ever late to the office. I always came in 10 minutes early.” J-Hope described the experience as challenging but grounding, while Jimin noted that it held deep personal meaning despite its difficulty.
During the hiatus, each member released solo projects that highlighted individual artistic growth. The GQ feature included comments from collaborators such as Megan Thee Stallion and Chris Martin of Coldplay, both of whom praised the group’s strong bond and teamwork.
BTS’s new studio album is scheduled for release on March 20. The group later revealed the title ‘ARIRANG,’ inspired by the traditional Korean folk song associated with themes of reunion and connection. According to the members, the title reflects their roots and the message they hope to convey in this new chapter.
While they may submit the album for consideration at major awards, RM emphasized that their priority is reconnecting with fans around the world. “The most important thing is just that we are here back together again,” he said, signaling a renewed focus on music and global performances as BTS enters its next era.
SEE ALSO: BTS ‘ARIRANG’ world tour announces global cinema live viewing and online streaming dates
