BTS members Jimin and Jungkook have been discharged from the South Korean military, shortly after RM and V also completed their mandatory service.
“WE ARE BACK,” wrote Jungkook, captioning two photos of himself and Jimin in uniform (see below).
The pair became the fifth and sixth members of the K-pop group to finish the country’s mandatory service today (Wednesday June 11), per Reuters.
According to Associated Press, hundreds of BTS fans gathered in the early hours to see Jimin and Jungkook return from their duties.
Jungkook reportedly thanked journalists and fans who had travelled to welcome the duo, and acknowledged how it felt to be back in the limelight. “Actually, it’s been so long since I’ve been in front of cameras, and I didn’t even put on makeup, so I’m a bit embarrassed,” he explained. “I don’t know what to say.”
RM and V were discharged yesterday (Tuesday June 10). Jin was discharged last summer, with J-Hope following suit in October. Suga is currently fulfilling his duty as a social service agent – an alternative to military service – and is set to be released later this month.
Under law, all able-bodied South Korean men aged 18 to 28 are required to serve around 18 to 21 months in the military. However, an amendment to the Military Service Act was made in late-2020, where certain high-profile figures could postpone until the age of 30. Therefore, Jin – who is the oldest BTS member – was able to enlist shortly after his 30th birthday in December 2022.
It had been confirmed in October 2022 that BTS would be serving their mandatory military terms without any special exemptions, however. This followed a months-long public debate on whether the K-pop stars should be exempt or granted allowances, given their contributions to the South Korean economy.
BTS went on hiatus in 2022, so that its members could fulfil their mandatory service and “explore some solo projects”. Last month saw Jin release his second solo project, titled ‘Echo’.
Yesterday, V hinted at BTS’ anticipated band reunion, which is expected at some point this year. “Please wait just a little longer and we will return with a really cool performance,” he said.
During an interview with Apple Music 1 last month (via Billboard), J-Hope explained: “I look forward to June when our members will have completed their service. We will quickly get together and talk about what BTS can do in the future. I think it’s going to be a massive energy.”
Last December, he told Weverse Magazine: “When we’re all back together as a group, it’s going to have a huge impact, and everybody’s going to be watching.
“I’m excited to see what it’ll feel like when we perform together again. I want to come back in style and say, ‘This is us. This is BTS.’ I can’t speak for everyone, but I can tell you the other members feel the same way.”
