With only about a week left, BTS is set to officially return with the fifth studio album of their career. The group’s comeback is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated music events of 2026. British music magazine NME has even included the album on its list of the “most anticipated album releases of 2026,” predicting, “Expect this comeback to be mαѕѕive.”
Ahead of what is widely considered one of the most highly anticipated comebacks in K-pop, the group’s management company BigHit Music has been rolling out a series of large-scale promotional campaigns rich in cultural meaning. Earlier, fans were treated to a special trailer released in collaboration with Netflix. Most recently, on the 13th, BTS once again captured attention by unveiling an animated video carrying a strong historical message.
The video was inspired by the first recording of the кσяєαn folk song “Arirang,” which was made in Washington, D.C. in 1896. Using this historical milestone as its theme, the video highlights BTS’s journey in promoting кσяєαn culture to the world through their music and artistic activities.
Also on the 13th, BigHit Music further excited fans by revealing a series of new details related to BTS’s fifth studio album. The newly released information included the album’s official cover image, official visuals for both the group vinyl and individual member vinyl versions, as well as various photocard designs created for fans to collect.
Beyond the attention drawn to BTS’s first official group photo since the members reunited, fans quickly noticed another surprising and meaningful detail. On the Deluxe vinyl gatefold outer sleeve, the tattoos of all seven members along with their signatures were prominently printed. This is considered the first time fans have been able to see all seven of BTS’s friendship tattoos up close in a single frame.
The special detail quickly moved the ARMY community. For many longtime fans, BTS’s “7” tattoo is not merely an artistic mark but a symbol of the deep bond shared among the members.
The story behind BTS’s friendship tattoos dates back to early 2022. At the time, the members decided to get a “7” tattoo—a symbol representing the number of members in the group as well as their promise to always remain together. RM was the first to reveal the tattoo to fans. Later, members such as J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, and Jungkook also shared their tattoos. V and Suga were the last to reveal both their tattoos and their placement.
The artist behind this special design and the person who tattooed it is the well-known tattoo artist polyc_sj. He is also the artist responsible for many of the artistic tattoos on Jungkook’s arm as well as several tattoos belonging to Jimin.
According to the artist, the idea behind BTS’s friendship tattoos is particularly meaningful. Each member has a differently styled number 7, but when the designs are layered together, they form a single unique word: “BTS.” The meaning behind this concept perfectly reflects the group’s spirit—seven individuals with different personalities and colors, yet when they stand together, they create one complete BTS, a one-of-a-kind team that cannot be replaced.
Tattoo artist polyc_sj has also clearly stated that because the tattoo carries such special meaning for BTS—and out of respect for the members and the story behind the design—he will not tattoo a similar design for any other client. Furthermore, the design will not be used for commercial purposes.
Now, as this friendship tattoo reappears in the design of BTS’s fifth album cover—a milestone that holds historic significance for both their career and their friendship—fans can hardly contain their emotions, saying:
- BTS and their 7 tattoos on the cover of Arirang is so meaningful
- BTS are family dont everrrrrr try to tell me anything else ever again you hear me. Its seven always been seven.
- Always and forever. its seven or nothing around here
- This is so fcking beautiful, i'm crying, they're family
- They keep reminding us they're seven okay we get it you're seven no one will take anyone from anyone ever geez stop holding hands yes we get it it's seven yes I have seen the Seven tattoos yes yes seven seven BTS IS SEVEN I GET IT (thank god they're seven)
- They are so loud , I pity those who want to break them apart
- ok bts i know you family i know you love each other i know you all poly i GET IT
- the tannies saw stupid **s delusional bast*rds trying to tell them about their relationship and their future and they had to come and remind everyone just how locked in, just how fated they are like… from the howard arirang 7 concept to this… oh bts was written in the stars
- here you can see how namjin's 7 kinda looks similar, and sope's 7 is also kinda similar and vminkook has their own similar 7 as well
- love is an understatement. those boys will go to the ends of the universe just to find each other in every lifetime. do you understand how incredibly rare that is?!?
