The global power of BTS and their dedicated fanbase ARMY has just set a new benchmark on social media. A simple promotional post announcing the group’s partnership with Netflix has officially become the most-liked Instagram upload in the streaming giant’s history, surpassing beloved series like Stranger Things and Wednesday.
The BTS x Netflix collaboration teaser, which was posted on the official Netflix Instagram account in early February 2026, has now accumulated approximately 4.55 million likes. This figure narrowly edges out the previous record holder—a post featuring the cast of Stranger Things—which stood at 4.54 million likes. The Netflix series Wednesday follows in third place with around 3.9 million likes .
This achievement is not just a number; it represents the massive anticipation surrounding the K-pop group’s complete return after their mandatory military service hiatus. The post promotes two major projects: a live global concert event and an intimate documentary, both arriving on Netflix in March 2026.
The Post That Broke the Internet
The now-record-breaking image, shared on February 2, 2026, features a sleek graphic announcing “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG” and the documentary “BTS: THE RETURN.” Within just 48 hours of being uploaded, the post had already soared past 4 million likes, quickly climbing the ranks of Netflix’s most popular content on the platform .
Fan account BTS Charts Pulse on X (formerly Twitter) provided real-time updates on the like count, documenting the moment the BTS post overtook the long-standing Stranger Things record. The atmosphere online was electric, with fans celebrating what they see as a well-deserved recognition of the group’s global impact .
The comment sections filled with excitement from ARMY members worldwide, many of whom do not typically engage with Netflix’s content. One fan summed up the mood by posting, “That’s cultural takeover,” highlighting how a K-pop act has now dominated the comments section of a major Western entertainment corporation’s page .
Even fans of other shows joined the conversation. A social media user noted the presence of popular pairings in the top three, saying it was nice to see “Mileven and Wenclair” (fan-favorite couples from Stranger Things and Wednesday) alongside the BTS post, showing a rare moment of harmony between different fandoms .
What the Netflix Partnership Includes
The buzz is not just about a social media record; it is rooted in highly anticipated content. The BTS x Netflix collaboration brings two exclusive projects to the 190 countries where the streaming service operates .
BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang
The first event is a live concert experience. On March 21, 2026, at 8 p.m. Korean Standard Time (which translates to 4 a.m. PT / 7 a.m. ET in the United States, and 12 p.m. GMT in the UK), Netflix will stream “BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang” live from Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul .
This location is deeply symbolic, offering a view of the historic Gyeongbokgung palace. It will mark the group’s first full live performance in years. The concert celebrates the release of their fifth studio album, ARIRANG, which drops the day before on March 20. The show is expected to feature tracks from the new album alongside classic hits. Notably, the production is being handled by Hamish Hamilton, the acclaimed director known for his work on the Super Bowl halftime show and the Academy Awards .
BTS: The Return Documentary
Just one week after the concert, on March 27, 2026, Netflix will debut “BTS: The Return.” Directed by Bao Nguyen, who directed “The Greatest Night in Pop,” this documentary film offers an intimate look at the seven members—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—as they reunited after completing their military service .
The film captures the personal moments of their reunion in Los Angeles, their creative process, and the making of the ARIRANG album. It shows the members confronting questions about how to begin again and how to move forward together as a group after their long hiatus .
The ‘ARIRANG’ Album and World Tour Hype
The excitement surrounding the Netflix posts is directly tied to the group’s full-scale comeback. Their fifth studio album, ARIRANG, named after a traditional Korean folk song, explores themes of parting and reunion. It reportedly consists of 14 tracks .
The project has already generated massive commercial success before its release. According to reports, pre-orders for ARIRANG have surpassed 4 million copies .
Renowned music producer Diplo, who confirmed his participation in the album, recently spoke to TMZ about the project. He described Jungkook’s vocals as “perfect” without the need for auto-tune and promised that the album would “shock the world,” calling it the “craziest album ever” .
Following the album release and the Netflix concert, BTS will embark on a massive world tour spanning 2026 and 2027. The tour will cover 34 cities across the globe with 82 dates, starting with shows in Goyang, South Korea, in April 2026. Stops include major venues in the US, such as SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and European dates like two nights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on July 6 and 7 .
The demand to see the group live is astronomical. Following the tour announcement, Hotels.com reported a staggering 740% surge in London hotel searches corresponding with the concert dates, with significant increases in search traffic from Sweden (up 550%), Norway (145%), and Denmark (70%) .
Why This Record Matters
Beating a pop culture juggernaut like Stranger Things on its own official page is a significant marker of BTS‘s current cultural standing. Stranger Things has been a flagship series for Netflix for nearly a decade, since 2016, and represents the core of Western streaming entertainment. To surpass it, even by a margin of about 10,000 likes, demonstrates that the excitement for BTS is not just a niche interest but a mainstream global event .
Industry observers note that this record highlights the unique power of the ARMY fanbase, which mobilizes quickly and effectively for the group’s milestones. It also signals the potential success of Netflix’s investment in K-pop content. For Netflix, streaming the first live concert and documentary of the world’s biggest boy band is a strategic move to capture the attention of millions of subscribers who may not typically tune in for scripted series .
As the world counts down to March 20, this Instagram record stands as a clear message: BTS is back, and the world is ready and waiting.
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