[BTS] New Year: Bangtan has started warming up [The problem of too many covers]

A flying start to the new year

2026 is the year of the BTS comeback.
Of course, I knew that. It was written on the comeback site as "2026/3/20," and everyone was excited and thrilled, knowing that the real celebration was finally about to begin.

—However, I must confess here that I was still underestimating how serious Bangtan is.
Even though the maknae line, who still had some leeway if the BTS law were applied, all went to military service, and they are filling the military hiatus with comebacks while they are away—there was no way Bangtan, who look forward to the moments of activity more than anyone, would just sit quietly and prepare until March!

Return of the King

Even though only 10 days have passed this year, something new from Bangtan that I've never seen before comes out every day.

Jungkook for Rolling Stone × Calvin Klein,
Jin for marie claire × FRED,
Jimin for VOGUE × DIOR,
V for GQ Korea × CARTIER...

Wait, aren't our vocal line members being released too generously!?
I see, it wasn't just ARMY who were waiting for Bangtan. The global brands they are individual ambassadors for were waiting with bated breath for the return of the Emperor and the Princes...! ( ﾟДﾟ)

For a normal person, you'd want to stretch out such treasures and tease them for a week, but they've been released in such quick succession in this short period.
Just yesterday, when I was screaming about Jimin appearing, V came as a follow-up. Who can resist the bond of the 95-liners who trample over "moderation" and "restraint"? It's at least a relief that it was Friday. I can't get any work done at all!

Love gives and takes (offerings) without restraint

And this list is a multiplication of magazines and brands, isn't it?
Yes, I had researched fashion brands before, so I understood the pattern where brands and magazines are usually a set. I have to keep up with Instagram, YouTube, and interviews, so the preparation is tough.

However, there was something I should have anticipated regarding the involvement of magazines.

Too many magazines with different covers!!

3 types for Jungkook, 7 types for Jin and Jimin, and 6 types for V, for a total of 23 magazines. If you tie them up with string, they're basically blunt weapons. My floor would collapse.
Do they think otakus and housewives will be happy if they say, "It's 5% off if you buy them all together on Weverse Shop"!? Give me a better deal!!

By the way, for some reason, this magazine bundle discount isn't listed in the "Notice > Shop" section of the BTS community.
If you're interested, please follow the Weverse Shop X account or check the "Sales" section of the Shop notices.

Since the ticket battle starts in March, I have to do my best to save money... thank you for this reckless act, no, this blessing, that kicks away such earnest vows!
The new visuals are ARMY's chocolate. It is said that if you have these, your chances of survival if you get stranded on a snowy mountain will increase. Just kidding.

The problem of not knowing what or how much has been released

Looking back at the Weverse announcements, this barrage of cover releases started on December 15th of last year, but I feel like something is missing here.

• 2025/12/15: Rolling Stone Korea 16th Issue 🐰*3

• 2026/01/06: Marie Claire (February 2026 Issue) 🐹*7

• 2026/01/09: VOGUE KOREA (February 2026 Issue) 🐤*7

• 2026/01/09: GQ KOREA (February 2026 Issue) 🐻*6

I'm so excited by the new visuals that I don't remember the details at all, but looking back at the image save dates and my own X posts, ELLE and VOGUE JAPAN are missing.
If I include everything, I feel like we've been under attack since Hobi last November. W-we, aren't we taking a bit too many consecutive combos!?
I'm begging you to release an all-in-one model...!!

• 2025/11/27: ELLE Korea (December 2025 SPECIAL) 🐿️*6

• 2025/12/14: ELLE Korea (January 2026 Issue) 🐰*9

• 2025/12/27: VOGUE JAPAN (February 2025 Issue) 🐻*2

By the way, speaking of after their military discharge, there are these too.

• 2025/08/06: BAZAAR (September 2025 Issue) 🐨*3

• 2025/09/02: W Korea (September 2025 Issue) 🐻*6

By the way, what kind of visuals did we get?

2025/11/27: ELLE Korea (December 2025 SPECIAL)

First, Hobi, who came at the end of November. I thought he would show off an adult side dressed head-to-toe in Louis Vuitton, but what's with that punk + puppy look? Where's the cute pose!? ( ﾟДﾟ)

While retaining an adult composure and toughness, he keeps his original bright and friendly personality with his playful hair and peeking knees. He's reeling in ARMY's hearts with an all-encompassing net, not letting anyone say, 'Has Hobi changed?'
I think these 6 patterns clearly show that Hobi has grown through his solo activities and has really broadened his range!!

I felt the bond of the 94-line in the bike shot that reminded me of Namjoon in BOTTEGA VENETA. Thank you!

Even though I've gotten quite used to Hobi's exposure, this one shot still had destructive power. The pectoral muscles that don't make the heavy accessories look heavy, the beautiful nose bridge and jawline, combined with the thin lips, and the look in his eyes that drifts toward cruelty when he looks down... Those who love S-type Hobi must have been pierced so much they felt like a pincushion. I get it.

2025/12/14: ELLE Korea (January 2026 issue)

ARMY is buzzing with Jin's birthday and the release of 'Are You Sure?! Season 2'.
Then, Chanel Beauty, having finally fulfilled their wish to get Jungkook, released an unprecedented 9 cover patterns with heavy breathing, saying, 'We have been waiting for this day!' That Chanel was amazing. An aura of a gambler was rising from them.

The shocking combination of a sweet, soft-mood prince and a Parisian Jungkook flashing his tattoos made ARMY, who had been relaxing and feeling warm and fuzzy over the cute glutton in 'Are You Sure?! S2', scream, and it is said that the Eiffel Tower tilted by 3cm. That's a lie.

2025/12/15: Rolling Stone Korea 16th Issue

And the next day. Rolling Stone × Calvin Klein slammed us with an adult Jungkook adorned with tattoos, pecs, abs, and underwear (hey now), saying, 'Look at this handsome man!'
At this time, we were honestly confused, thinking, 'Wait, we're still in Paris!?' ( ﾟДﾟ). I'm sure there were some ARMYs who got their wires crossed after seeing all the announcements at once.

Since his face and physique are both good, he could win with just the raw material, but since they put extra effort into the presentation, ARMYs who were drowning in Chanel's fluffy prince were
'You can't stop when you eat sweet and salty things alternately, but when you eat them at the same time, your brain goes numb and you just ask for seconds anyway'
state. Sorry, the fake legends won't stop.

2025/12/27: VOGUE JAPAN (February 2025 issue)

Just when everyone was convinced that this excitement would sustain us until the comeback, VOGUE JAPAN V was dropped less than two weeks later. This magazine, the content was also good...!!
Since it's JAPAN, there are Japanese interviews in both video and article form. It was too amazing. This supreme, dream-like handsome man saying, 'I want to eat udon today' (faints).
Thank you for loving Japan, V!!

In this interview, V said, 'I'm into glasses right now,' and at the same time, other Bangtan members were wearing rimless glasses, so it was fun to imagine, 'Maybe V made them popular and they all bought them.' There's nothing but good things in the interview.

2026/01/06: Marie Claire (February 2026 Issue)

But that was short-lived, as the eldest brother, Jin, who unveiled the New Year's movie "#RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR the Movie," announced the beginning of the year with FRED. Even though the New Year's holidays have only just ended, isn't this too celebratory...!!
I won't forget how the timeline, which was in a festive frenzy over the comeback site reveal, stopped for a moment and then evaporated with "The back, ahhhhh!!"

2026/01/09: VOGUE KOREA (February 2026 Issue)

Man, 2026 is a great year! Just as I was happily rejoicing, something cute was dropped as if to say, "It's spring, everyone?" Wait a minute, isn't 3 days in between a bit too fast!? ( ﾟДﾟ)

The way he lets us catch a glimpse of the "7" on his index finger is also irresistible.
The rarity of creating an existence called "Jimin" that is not bound by any of these—boy and young man, fairy and Busan guy, including gender—is the best!

By the way, "Are You Sure?! Season 2" conveyed without omission Jimin-chan's mochi-mochi cute mischievous elements and Jungkook's sincere attitude toward food.
It hasn't even been half a year, but the evolution is too fast. Faced with Bangtan, who have shifted into top gear to show us the work of true professional idols, people can only bow down.

2026/01/09: GQ KOREA (February 2026 Issue)

I was already gasping for air by this point, but a huge bomb dropped a few hours later... I didn't hear that it was on the same day!!
I keep saying that fur + V only equals emperor vibes, but then there are abs. The naked king descended in an overkill state, like a demon with a club. I'm sorry that it took me about 10 laps to finally realize, "Oh, it was CARTIER."

Speaking of V, he often has candy, but that defenseless, mischievous look of having something in his mouth accentuates the boyish, reckless nature he carries, and it suits him so well.
If Jin is Dongwon Tuna, then next is a lollipop. I am waiting for Lotte to realize this truth of the world. Don't miss the chance to boost your stock price!

The adult evolution of that, the 2026 version of a Chupa Chups, is this apple pierced by a knife. I want to be bitten...!!

Oh, and it's said that this photo, with its styling and pose that hides half his face, might be imitating the Panthère (panther) ring he's wearing on his finger.
The coordination between the Bangtan fashion identification team and V fans is incredible. I'd love to assign them to cold cases, but the drawback is that their effectiveness is limited to V.

What I've listed here are just the magazine covers, and in between, visuals are being released one after another through ambassador companies, magazines, and event collaborations. Our Bangtan are such hard workers, and it really comes across that the industry was waiting for them too...! I can hear the sound of the global economy spinning.

Everyone has grown up (joy).

Bangtan, who were once protected by artist management, with the hyungs still appearing relatively modest while the Gukmin duo led the charge.

We were used to seeing Jin quickly covered up if his underwear showed for even a centimeter on Run BTS, and we screamed when Hobi wore a tank top early in his solo career, but thanks to Bangtan's constant tough love, our endurance levels have increased before we knew it.
It was mainly Hobi-hyung who whipped us into shape. Thank you for your guidance! Oss!

Before I knew it, I've reached a point where I can accept a bare-chested jacket with just an 'Oh, I see...' We've grown up, haven't we...!

Now that Jungkook's underwear is proudly gracing magazine covers, maybe Jin's underwear wouldn't be covered up if it showed on Run BTS. Or maybe it still would be. The staff there are very protective...

Perhaps Bangtan and ARMY are growing up together and walking through life side-by-side like this. Lifelong learning idols.
Speaking of adults, I thought it would be about romance... but lately, they've been skipping straight to talk of marriage. Well, that's fine too!

Which one will you choose?

Well, unless you are a minimalist ARMY who sticks to a strong will of "not increasing my belongings!", this development leaves us with no choice but to run around in circles saying, "Which one did you choose?" or "I can't decide!". Even if it's physically difficult to buy them all, you still want at least one, right? Especially the ones with interviews...

Goodness, what a sinful business.
If possible, I'd like them to release something like a pamphlet picking out only the Bangtan parts in about six months, with the cooperation of each company, using a De Agostini-style system. If they included even one trading card as a bonus, it would definitely sell!! (A Kansai ARMY whose heart tends to get a bit cynical)

Only one-third of January has passed, and yet this frenzy is already here.
When a comeback happens, there will be countdown release events, fan events, lyric analysis, MV pilgrimages, chart wars, and if a world tour comes, there will be ticket battles, pop-up stores, and nightly FanCam marathons... Will we actually survive? Do we have any paid leave left? The worries are endless.

Let's do our best to survive while asking for advice from the seniors who experienced the last world tour. ARMY-yeorobun, fighting!
By the way, which one are you buying?

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