“BTS: The Return” captures a poignant snapshot of a troubled comeback
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“BTS: The Return” captures a poignant snapshot of a troubled comeback
"The only way that they can carry the weight of the crown is through all seven of them"
Published March 27, 2026 2:33AM (EDT)
BTS’ comeback could be likened to a classical Greek hero’s homecoming. After years at war – or performing military service as it were – they’re back to pick up where they left off with their lives, music and fans. But as with those ancient tales, such long-awaited returns aren’t without some conflict.
“There’s a long lineage of storytellers and filmmakers who have told part of BTS story, and for me, this moment was so pivotal and almost mythical,” director Bao Nguyen told members of the global press at a March 20 screening of his Netflix documentary, “BTS: The Return.”
“In a way for me, BTS is like Odysseus, and ARMY and the fans who are longing for BTS to return, are like Penelope. So I thought this moment was really special and unique.”
BTS – comprising members RM, Jin, Saga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook – took a collective hiatus in 2022 for each of them to participate in South Korean mandatory military service. Their staggered returns allowed for various solo releases and tours, and “The Return” catches up with the group as they hole up in Los Angeles for two months to write their fifth full studio album “Arirang,” which was released on March 20.
Nguyen, who’s garnered acclaim for his documentaries “The Greatest Night in Pop Music” and “The Stringer,” had the savvy to understand that the members themselves should be a part of telling their own story and put them to work.
“They were actually giving us and the camera more than I expected.”
“One of the things I knew going into the project is that we weren’t going to have free rein access to them at every minute, every second of their time in Los Angeles,” he said. “What was important to me was to view their story through their own perspective. So I had this idea of giving them each these mini DV camcorders, which you see in the film, and I wanted them to document when our crew wasn’t around, because for me, that type of archival and home video footage, it feels like your dad or your uncle going around........
