YEONCHEON, South Korea — In the early hours of the morning, a large crowd gathered to witness K-pop sensations Jimin and Jung Kook as they emerged from South Korea’s mandatory military service. Clad in their military attire, the duo made an appearance, saluting and addressing the devoted fans present at their discharge event.
Jung Kook took a moment to express his gratitude to the media and fans who came to welcome him and Jimin back into the limelight. He candidly admitted, “It’s been quite a while since I’ve stood before cameras. I didn’t even put on makeup, so I feel a bit self-conscious,” when addressing the crowd. “Honestly, I’m at a loss for words.”
Both members had enlisted in December 2023, following close on the heels of their bandmates RM and V, who were released just the day before.
The event attracted fans from across the globe, who gathered at a public sports ground—relocated from the military base’s gate for safety reasons. The streets were alive with colorful buses adorned with images of the BTS members, while balloons in hues of red and yellow danced above. A thoughtfully organized food truck served complimentary coffee and water, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
Despite the band’s label advising caution and discouraging attendance due to safety concerns, numerous supporters wore masks. For fans like Anaesi, who traveled for 20 hours from Portugal, the journey to Yeoncheon—a town near South Korea’s border with North Korea—was an invaluable experience. “Though Portugal is small, BTS reigns supreme there,” she stated. Having discovered BTS on YouTube and crediting them with lifting her spirits during tough times, Anaesi considers the group her “angel.” As a tribute, she has a vibrant tattoo on her upper arm: a golden shield with “ARMY” inscribed along with the names of BTS members and her friends, all in Korean script.
On Tuesday, V expressed gratitude to fans for their patience, hinting at the band’s eventual reunion. “Just a little longer and we’ll return with a spectacular performance,” he teased.
Anticipation rises as all seven BTS members, known for their monumental influence in the K-pop industry, plan to reunite as a group by 2025 after each completes their military obligations. All members, save for Suga, who is serving as a social service agent as an alternative form of military service, have fulfilled or are nearing the completion of their duties.
Jin, the eldest among them, wrapped up his service in June 2024, while J-Hope completed his in October.
In South Korea, men between the ages of 18 to 28 must serve 18 to 21 months in the military, a measure aimed at deterring potential threats from North Korea. Special exemptions are granted to athletes and artists in certain traditional fields who achieve internationally recognized success and contribute to national prestige. However, K-pop artists and entertainers don’t traditionally receive these exemptions.
In response to legislative changes in 2020, BTS managed to delay their service until the age of 30, after the revision of South Korea’s Military Service Act. This sparked debates in 2022 over whether BTS should receive military service exemptions; however, their management agency confirmed in October 2022 that all members would serve.