BTS Members RM and V Discharged from Military, Paving Way for Group Reunion
Seoul : K-pop superstars RM and V of BTS were officially discharged from South Korea’s mandatory military service on Tuesday, drawing cheers from a crowd of devoted fans awaiting the band’s long-anticipated comeback.
Donning their military uniforms, the two members saluted supporters gathered outside the military base and shared heartfelt messages of gratitude.
“To all the ARMYs who have waited for us in the military, I want to say I am truly, truly grateful. Please wait just a little longer and we will return with a really cool performance,” V said, addressing the media and fans. The BTS fanbase, known globally as ARMY, has continued to support the group through its hiatus.
RM, holding a bouquet of flowers, added, “(The members) would feel the same, but stage performance—I want to perform the most. I’ll work hard to make an album soon and come back to the stage,” before serenading the crowd with a saxophone performance.
Their return marks the discharge of four BTS members from military service—Jin and J-Hope having completed their duties earlier and remaining active with solo projects and appearances. The remaining three—Jimin, Jung Kook, and Suga—are expected to conclude their service by June 21, according to media reports.
The band’s return is expected to culminate in a long-awaited full-group reunion, their first since their last group project in 2022. “After pursuing our own little ventures, we are now coming back together, and I love that for us,” J-Hope said in an earlier interview.
HYBE, BTS’s management company, is celebrating the group’s 12th anniversary this week with a major fan event titled BTS FESTA. While it remains unconfirmed whether all members will attend, anticipation is high. Last year, Jin made an appearance fresh out of military service.
Investor confidence in the group’s return has also surged, with HYBE shares rising 2.3% in early trading—reaching their highest level in over three years.
Fans from across the globe have traveled to South Korea to celebrate the milestone. “It is just absolutely joyful,” said 72-year-old Australian fan Philip Darbyshire. “That is now four out, two again tomorrow and then Suga. Then we have OT7—we have seven kings back with us. It is just wonderful.”
With the full septet poised to reunite in the coming weeks, BTS is on track to make a powerful return to the global stage, signaling a new era for the world’s most influential K-pop group.
