ARMYs Believe BTS's Upcoming Album Is a Sequel to Their First Full Album Based on These Striking Similarities

 

 

Although there are still nearly two months to go before BTS officially make their comeback, the atmosphere surrounding their return has already become electrifying on a global scale. A large installation featuring the group's logo has appeared on the steps of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, while the Empire State Building in New York released a video of the landmark illuminated in purple with the message "BTS IS COMING BACK" on its official social media accounts. Accross online communities and forums, discussions about BTS's return are everywhere.

 

 

 

 

The level of excitement is well founded, as the upcoming release marks BTS's first full-group comeback with all seven members in three years and nine months, since anthology album "Proof" was released in June 2022. Looking specifically at studio albums, it is als the group's first full length release in six years and one month, following "Map Of The Soul: 7" in February 2020.

 

Meanwhile, according to BgHit Music's latest announcement on January 5, BTS's fifth full-length album will consist of a total of 14 tracks and is scheduled for release at 1 p.m. KST on March 20. The company stated that BTS have been fully focused on the album's productin since the second half of 2025, devoting significant effort to capturing "the BTS of today," while also creating "a heartfelt way of saying thank you to ARMY, who have been there this whole time."

 

From the new details, fans have unexpected discovered a striking clue—sparking speculation that the upcoming fifth full-length album may, in fact, be a sequel to BTS's first studio albun, "Dark & Wild."

 

The first coincidence that sent chills through the ARMY fandom is the number of tracks. "Dark & Wild," BTS's first full-length album released in 2014, also contained exactly 14 songs—the same number as the upcoming album. Furthermore, both albums share the same release date number: "Dark & Wild" was released on August 20, 2014m while the fifth full-length album is set to be released on March 20, 2026. 

 

For a group known for constructing a tightly connected and multi-layered musical universe, these "coincidences" are difficult to dismiss as purely accidental.

 

Beyond the numerical similarities, fans have also pointed out several nostalgic details. During a number of recent live broadcasts, BTS members were seen dancing to or singing "DANGER," aling with other melodies from the "Dark & Wild" album. This has further strengthened ARMYs' belief that the group has been deliberately dropping hints connected to their early musical era.

 

Notably, both the contrasts and parallels in concept between the two albums have sent ARMYs' excitement soaring. BTS's first full-length album, "Dark & Wild," symbolized darkness, rawness, and the anxious emotions of youth, while showcasing the group's original hip-hop roots. In contrast, based on several recent spoilers, many ARMYs are leaning toward the theory that the new album's concept revolves around the sun—representing rebirth, new beginnings, aspiration, and wholeness. If this theory proves true, the fifth full-length album could be understood as a conceptual mirror to "Dark & Wild": a journey from darkness into light, from wildness to stability, from a starting point to completion.

 

In addition, when viewed as a continuous narrative from "Dark & Wild" to the fifth full-length album, the trajectory resembles BTS's decade-long "from zero to hero" journey. It reflects the group's growth and maturity in both their career and music, whill still preserving their core essence—hip-hop, narrative-driven storytelling, and their signature "dark & wild" spirit—now refined, fully realized, and deeper than ever before.

 

 

 

Although all of this remains speculation for now, there is no denying that these subtle yet striking simiraritie are sending waves of excitement through the global ARMY community. Social media has been flooded with emotional reactions, with fans commenting:

 

💜 Yaaahhh, because we're back to the basics—the emotional roller coaster I've been on since the New Year's live is hell for me.

 

💜 I'm sooo ready for a new chapter. This album is going to be "Dark & Wild Pt. 2"

 

💜 You're telling me BTS's upcoming album has 14 tracks like "Dark & Wild"?!?! OMG, we're not ready!

 

💜 They've gone back to the basics—I am so ready for what they'll bring with this comeback!

 

💜 Oh gosh, I don't think I'm ready yet. Is this real?! It's really happening.

 

💜 Actually coming back to their roots! Every time BTS release a new album, they pull us back into their universe. It's a decade-long story that never truly ends—now I finally understand why they sang "Yet To Come".

 

💜 So ti makes sense why BTS were dancing to and mentioning "DANGER" lately. I'm so ready for the 20th, everyone~

 

💜 "Dark & Wild" is their best album, and I'm begging this new album to be like that.

 

💜 Oh, we're getting another cypher for sure. I'm so nervous—this is too huge!