Six down, one more to go!
A BTS reunion is soon coming to fruition, as members Jimin and Jungkook have just completed their mandatory South Korean military service. They were officially discharged on Wednesday (June 11).
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The rest of BTS (V, RM, Jin, and J-Hope) have already completed their service and have been discharged - giving them time to pursue solo careers. Only Suga remains as the last BTS member fulfill his required service. He is currently pursuing alternative service as a social worker, and is expected to discharge later this month.
Billboard reports on Tuesday morning, fans and media began gathering near Yeoncheon Public Stadium in Gyeonggi Province to welcome Jimin and Jungkook. They appeared with bright smiles, offering brief greetings and expressing their sincere gratitude to supporters who had waited for their return.
“Thank you to the fans and reporters who came to see us,” Jimin said. “It’s been a long time, from the pandemic to military service. Now that we’re back, we’ll work hard to show you what we’ve prepared.”
“There were a lot of unforgettable moments,” Jungkook added. “Thanks to everyone who served with us and supported us along the way.” Jimin also hinted at what’s to come: “Now that I’m discharged, I think it’s time we continue drawing the picture we had in mind. We’ll prepare well and share it with you soon.” He concluded: “Military life wasn’t easy, but I’m grateful for the memories. If you see a soldier on the street, a warm gesture can mean a lot.”
South Korea mandates all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 to serve 18 to 21 months in the military or equivalent civilian service. This is because the country remains technically at war with North Korea, as the 1950-53 Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. Exceptionally talented athletes and artists can sometimes be exempted from military service, and supporters argued BTS members served as valuable cultural ambassadors for South Korea. Lawmakers disagreed. However, they permitted the BTS members to postpone their enlistment until they reached the age of 30.
Jimin and Jungkook enlisted together in late 2023, completing basic training at the same boot camp before being assigned to separate units. They served with the Army’s 5th Infantry Division Artillery Brigade. During their time in uniform, both artists continued to make waves in the music world. Jimin made history as the first Korean solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with his single “Like Crazy” from the album FACE, while Jungkook’s solo debut GOLDEN peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and earned international acclaim across global charts.
BTS' last album was the 2022 anthology record Proof. The group has been on hiatus since 2023 as members fulfilled their military enlistment obligations. Their highly anticipated first public reunion is set at the upcoming 2025 BTS FESTA, taking place June 13-14 at KINTEX in Goyang, South Korea. The event promises to be an emotional homecoming celebration for fans worldwide and the start of BTS’ next chapter.
See video of Jimin and Jungkook's discharge press event below.
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Article Image: Jimin and Jungkook give military salutes. (@koreadispatch via Instagram.)
