BTS made a high-profile return to U.S. late night television with two nights on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (March 25–26, 2026), blending heartfelt conversation about their reunion with surprise fan moments and a museum-set performance of their new single “SWIM.” The appearances mark the group’s first Tonight Show visits since 2021 and coincide with the release of their album Arirang.

What happened: two nights, an interview and surprise pranks

The seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — sat down with host Jimmy Fallon to talk about returning from mandatory military service, recording Arirang and the experience of living together again while making the album.
Fallon opened the conversation by telling the band, “I just want to tell you we’ve missed you,” setting a warm tone for the reunion.

True to Fallon’s playful style, BTS also joined him in surprising unsuspecting fans. Viewers recorded themselves singing along to “SWIM,” then opened a door to find the band — and Fallon — waiting on the other side performing a range of unexpected activities, from mock board meetings to a spontaneous Twister game. Fan reactions ranged from screaming and fainting to comedic “time out” moments, underscoring the intense devotion of ARMY.

Performance at the Guggenheim

Instead of staying in Studio 6B for the musical slot, the show staged BTS’s performance of “SWIM” at New York’s Guggenheim Museum. The Tonight Show’s official social post captured the moment: .@bts_bighit performs “SWIM” at The @Guggenheim! Watch the full performance ⬇️ (link shared by The Tonight Show).

Why it matters now

Arirang, released March 20, 2026, is BTS’s first album in years and leans heavily into Korean heritage and sound — a point the group reiterated on Fallon. The record set streaming marks on Spotify, becoming one of the platform’s most-streamed releases in a single day in 2026 and breaking records for K-pop albums.

How to watch and what’s next

  • The Tonight Show episodes aired March 25 and 26 on NBC; shows stream the following day on Peacock. Live TV services that carry NBC include DIRECTV and Hulu + Live TV for viewers without cable.
  • BTS will support Arirang with an ARIRANG world tour that kicks off in April (dates announced with ticketing through the group’s official channels).

Fan and industry reaction

Social buzz was immediate: clips of the Guggenheim performance and the surprise fan reveals circulated widely, while critics and fans noted the group’s mix of introspection and levity — from conversations about national service to lighthearted jabs (Jin teasing Jungkook for being messy) and silly Fallon-sourced questions.

For many viewers, the two-night appearance felt like a milestone: an international act returning to U.S. late night TV with new work rooted in cultural identity, plus the kind of fan-focused moments that underscore the scale of BTS’s global following.