The wait is finally over for ARMY. In a move that has sent the global music industry and social media into a frenzy, BIGHIT MUSIC officially announced the dates and initial stops for the BTS 2026-2027 World Tour.
On January 14, 2026, at the stroke of midnight KST, the agency released a comprehensive teaser and schedule, signaling the definitive return of the world’s biggest boy band to the global stage.
This tour represents more than just a series of concerts; it serves as a grand reunion for the seven members following the completion of their mandatory military services and a new chapter in their storied career.
A Grand Homecoming in South Korea
The journey begins where it all started. BTS will officially kick off their world tour with a massive three-night residency in Goyang, South Korea.
Scheduled for April 9, 11, and 12, 2026, these opening performances are expected to be a monumental homecoming.
Held at a major stadium venue, these shows will likely serve as the blueprint for the high-octane production and emotional storytelling that BTS is known for.
Fans are anticipating a setlist that balances their classic hits with fresh material from their upcoming projects, marking their first full-group live performances in several years.
Expanding the Global Footprint
Following the opening leg in Korea, BTS will embark on an “ambitious” international trek. While the initial announcement provided a glimpse into the first half of the tour, the scale of the 2026-2027 schedule suggests a truly global reach.
The group is set to dominate major stadiums across North America, Europe, and Asia throughout the remainder of 2026.
BTS (Credit: YouTube)
This period is expected to see the group returning to iconic venues where they have previously made history, such as Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles and Wembley Stadium in London.
The agency’s description of the tour as “ambitious” hints at a production value that surpasses even their previous record-breaking tours, incorporating cutting-edge technology and immersive stage designs.
Looking Ahead to 2027: New Horizons
BIGHIT MUSIC has made it clear that the current announcement is just the tip of the iceberg. For fans in regions not yet listed, the agency offered a message of hope, stating that further tour stops are still being finalized.
Most notably, the 2027 portion of the tour is expected to focus heavily on Japan and the Middle East.
Japan, a stronghold for the group’s popularity, will likely see a multi-city dome tour, while the inclusion of the Middle East highlights the group’s expanding influence in regions that have shown immense growth in K-pop consumption over the last few years.
A New Era for BTS and ARMY
The 2026-2027 World Tour is being viewed as a “Second Chapter” for BTS. With all members reunited, the tour is expected to coincide with the release of a highly anticipated new album.
This tour is not only a celebration of their past achievements but a statement of their future intentions.
As the group prepares to traverse the globe over the next two years, the demand for tickets is expected to reach unprecedented levels, likely breaking their own previous box office records.
For the millions of fans who have waited patiently for the group to stand together on stage again, this announcement is the beginning of a historic era in pop music.
In a candid and long-awaited moment of transparency, South Korean entertainer Shin Jung Hwan has finally addressed the full story behind one of the most infamous scandals in the history of Korean variety television.
On January 14, 2026, during an appearance on the popular YouTube channel No Back Tak Jae Hoon, Shin Jung Hwan revisited the “dengue fever” incident that effectively halted his career over a decade ago.
The episode, titled “Shin Jung Hwan, the icon of self-reflection who refuses to wear Moncler padding even in extreme cold,” blended his trademark self-deprecating humor with a serious confession about the deception that once dominated headlines.
The Origins of a Notorious Deception
To understand the significance of this revelation, one must look back to 2010. At that time, Shin Jung Hwan was a top-tier variety star who suddenly failed to appear for scheduled recordings.
It was soon discovered that he was in the Philippines, leading to rumors of illegal overseas gambling—a serious offense under South Korean law.
In an attempt to quell the mounting criticism, a photo was released showing Shin Jung Hwan lying in a hospital bed in Cebu, surrounded by medical equipment.
He claimed that he had contracted dengue fever and was unable to travel back to Korea for treatment.
However, the explanation quickly fell apart as medical professionals and the public grew skeptical of the timing and the authenticity of his condition.
The backlash was immense, as the public felt he had used a serious illness as a “staged” excuse to avoid facing the consequences of his actions.
The 2026 Confession: Admitting the Lie
During his conversation with long-time colleague Tak Jae Hoon, Shin Jung Hwan was asked directly if he actually had the fever. For the first time, he gave a definitive “no.”
“No, I never did [have dengue fever],” Shin admitted.
He explained that the idea was not his own, but rather a suggestion from a “close older acquaintance” who thought the medical excuse would provide a plausible reason for his extended stay abroad.
This admission confirms what many had suspected for years: the illness was a fabrication intended to shield him from the gambling scandal.
Interestingly, Shin clarified that while the illness was a lie, the setting was not a movie set.
“It wasn’t staged [in a studio]. The doctors and nurses were real, and it was an actual hospital in the Philippines,” he explained.
He had actually checked into a medical facility to lend credibility to the story, even if his diagnosis was false.
Reflecting on a Decade of Self-Reflection
Throughout the episode, Shin Jung Hwan maintained a humble and somewhat regretful tone. When asked about his health today, he joked,
“I’m healthy now. The fever has gone down,” referring to the metaphorical “fever” of public scrutiny he has lived under since 2010.
Since the scandal, Shin has made several attempts to return to the entertainment industry, but public sentiment has remained largely cold.
His appearance on No Back Tak Jae Hoon represents a significant step in his “self-reflection” journey, as he chose to stop evading the truth and instead lean into the absurdity and gravity of his past mistakes.
By addressing the lie head-on in 2026, Shin Jung Hwan seems to be attempting to clear the air once and for all, though it remains to be seen if this newfound honesty will lead to a full-scale comeback in the eyes of the Korean public.
