Since June 21, 2025, a quiet yet intense anticipation gripped the BTS fandom, ARMY. That date marked the discharge of the group’s final member from his mandatory military service. Fans around the world waited breathlessly - not for a comeback, but for something just as meaningful: a glimpse of all seven members together again.

Though a full-group live or photo remained elusive, hope flickered through two powerful moments. First, at J-Hope's HOPE ON THE STAGE concert on June 13, celebrating BTS' debut anniversary. Then, during Jin's solo concert RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR, where three members each made surprise appearances across two unforgettable nights.

And then, on July 1, 2025, the wait finally ended. Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook - BTS in their complete, original form - went live. For the first time in three years, OT7 sat side by side, laughing, reminiscing, and opening their hearts. It marked their first full-group livestream since 2022, when they had announced their hiatus to complete their service.

Leader RM aka Kim Najoon said, "There's Lollapalooza and Jin hyung's tour as well, so if you guys give us some time, we'll be working on our music...In the meantime, we'll be communicating through lives or SNS."

However, V aka Kim Taehyung seemed to spill the beans. He asked, "We didn't announce that we're working on our music in America yet, right?" - a comment that made the rest of the members burst into laughter.

🐨 there's lollapalooza and jin hyung's tour as well, so if you guys give us some time, we'll be working on our music.. in the meanwhile we'll be communicating through lives or SNS
🐻 we haven't said that we worked in the US right?
🐿️ ah we haven't?
🐻 yeah we haven't we havent…

— Sel⁷ (@BTStranslation_) July 1, 2025

RM however, added, "Starting July, we'll be near each other more and work on our album. And when will the album come out?" - to which V responded, "Next year, spring."

🐨starting july, we'll be near each other more and work on our album. and when will the album come out?
🐯next year spring!!!!!!!@BTS_twt

— haruharu💜 (slow) (@haruharu_w_bts) July 1, 2025

RM then added, "And so, next spring, we will try to do the world tour. If we do the world tour next year, that will be seven years later."

BTS ALBUM AND MAYBE WORLD TOUR NEXT SPRING!!!

🐨 And so, next spring, we will try to do the World Tour.
🐨 If we do the World Tour next year, that will be 7 seven years later.

OMG SO EXCITED!!! 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/5vv1TvcXY4

— moni⁷ 𖠌 (@sevenrchive) July 1, 2025

As the live went on, ARMY took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to talk about the first OT7 selca (Korean term for selfie) in ages, as well as the new music they’ll be getting

Fans also commented on how chaotic the live was, saying that BTS hasn't changed at all since their enlistment and discharge from the military - and how happy they are to see the members’ close bond with one another.

OT7 LIVE pic.twitter.com/zQC6wosEl6

— ARMY Cavite Fanbase⁷ 💜🇵🇭 (@army_cavite) July 1, 2025

FIRST BTS OT7 SELCA IN AGES 😭 pic.twitter.com/XLd1x3Pk3o

— jungkook admirer₇ (@dreamjeons) July 1, 2025

7 million ARMYs watching our 7 boys 💜
It’s been a while, and after 6 months, we’re finally getting a new album! 🥹🎉

BTS IS BACK pic.twitter.com/b27qJucQKR

— BTS Streamers⁷ (@BTSstreamers) July 1, 2025

BTS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WILL RELEASE A NEW GROUP SONG THIS YEAR AND AN ALBUM IN SPRING NEXT YEAR pic.twitter.com/3frGhUr6u9

— sdl ٭ (@_sdl93) July 1, 2025

bts live, new album and world tour my wallet pic.twitter.com/vz2fFAHo7L

— me⁷ saw hobi (@hyuxxii) July 1, 2025

FIRST OT7 LIVE, THEY ARE CHAOTIC AS ALWAYS, THEY'RE WORKING ON A NEW ALBUM, THE ALBUM AND THE WORLD TOUR WILL BE IN SPRING NEXT YEAR OF COURSE IN SPRING AND THEY'RE 7 SEVEN FOREVER GUYS BTS ARE BACK pic.twitter.com/qUgRcMoT0P

— Rami⁷ (@IOt7army) July 1, 2025

BTS is making history again with their first-ever live album, Permission to Dance on Stage - Live, capturing the unforgettable moments from their record-breaking tour. This release will be accompanied by a digital package titled BTS Permission to Dance on Stage - Seoul, offering fans an immersive look into their Seoul concert.

The album brings together 22 electrifying performances from their 2021–2022 world tour, which marked the group's powerful return to live stages after the pandemic. From sold-out stadiums in Los Angeles and Las Vegas to emotional nights in Seoul, the tour drew over 4 million fans worldwide, both in person and online - proving BTS' unmatched global impact.