The internationally acclaimed K-pop group BTS is marking a significant transition, with the remaining four members set to begin their mandatory 18-month military service in South Korea. Fans around the world, known as the ARMY, are already expressing their unwavering support and eagerness for the group’s return to the stage as a complete unit in 2025.
On a rainy day, fans gathered to bid farewell to RM and V, the group’s leader and vocalist, as they entered their boot camp in Nonsan. V shared his thoughts on a fan platform, expressing the difficulty of being unable to create joyful memories with fans during his service. Similarly, RM conveyed his mixed emotions about the upcoming period, viewing it as a chance for new inspirations and learning.
Accompanying RM and V were Jimin and Jung Kook, who are scheduled to begin their service shortly, along with the three other members, Jin, j-hope, and Suga, who are already serving and were granted a day off for this occasion.
Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men aged 18-28 must serve in the military for approximately two years, a policy aimed at maintaining readiness against North Korea. BTS’s service has reignited discussions about whether exceptional K-pop artists should receive concessions in military duty, similar to athletes and classical musicians with significant international accomplishments.
The ARMY’s dedication to BTS is renowned, with the fanbase having mobilized support for various social causes, including raising over $1 million for the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. In Tokyo’s Korea Town, fans gathered in a BTS-themed cafe, expressing their feelings of sadness yet optimism about the members’ growth during their service.
In Seoul, the mood was similarly poignant. Kim Yong-sun, who runs a BTS-themed cafe near the band’s agency, shared her emotional day, finding solace in the company of fellow fans and BTS’s music.
Since announcing a hiatus from group activities in June 2022, the BTS members have been exploring solo endeavors. The group’s global success, led by hits like “Dynamite” and “Butter,” has solidified their status as cultural icons. As the world awaits their return, the members’ military service marks a new chapter for BTS and their fans, who continue to show unwavering support and anticipation for their comeback in 2025.
READ MORE: