BTS Members Reunite with Fans After Military Service

In uniform and with fatigue on their faces, RM and V, two members of the South Korean K-pop group BTS, emerged from a South Korean military base: their military service is over.

Jimin and Jungkook completed their service on June 11th, while Suga is expected to finish by the end of June, CE Report quotes ANSA.

The members of the band will soon be civilians again and are ready to return to the spotlight. Their last concert dates back to 2022, and before enlisting in 2023, they had only released two singles.

“There were difficult and painful moments,” RM told the Korea Herald, “but during our service, I learned to appreciate the many people who protect our country.”

As they left the barracks, V held a bouquet of flowers, while RM carried a saxophone and gave an impromptu performance.

The appeal from their label, Big Hit Music, asking fans to avoid chaotic scenes, went largely ignored: the members were greeted with cheers, banners, and hundreds of smartphones snapping photos.

In South Korea, military service is mandatory for about a year and a half. There had once been hopes for an exemption for BTS — like those granted to Olympic athletes or some classical musicians — but the band chose to enlist and hit pause on their music careers.

“I can’t wait to perform again,” said RM. “I’ll work hard on the next album and to return to the stage soon.”