Everything we know about the BTS’ military service
Six BTS members are currently enlisted in the South Korean army with J-Hope set to be discharged soon.
Jin, the eldest member in the K-pop group, was the first one to enlist in 2022, and was discharged on June 11.
BTS fans, known as Army, were excited to see all seven members reunite as they celebrated Jin’s release.
In video shared by SBS News, Jin was seen hugging and saying his farewells to fellow military members. As he left the facility, he was greeted by BTS members J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jung Kook and RM, who played the saxophone.
Later on Weverse, Jin went live for about 20 minutes, talking to his fans. The singer was surrounded by balloons that read, “Jin is back.” He also has a cake and desserts in front of him.
Following the live, BTS’ official X posted a photo of all seven members together in that same space.
J-Hope and Suga were the next members to enlist in the military. In December 2023, Jung Kook, V, Jimin and RM were the final four to begin their military service.
On Dec. 5, 2023, the group’s label, BigHit Music, shared a message about the final four members of the K-pop group’s upcoming enlistment on their Weverse, thanking their fans for their “continued love and support for BTS.”
“We ask for your continued love and support for RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook until they complete their military service and return,” the statement continued, adding that the label will “also strive to provide all the support they need during this time.”
BTS went on hiatus in 2022, and announced in October of that year that the eldest members of the group were starting their personal enlisting process.
Read below for everything we know about BTS’ military service.
Why is BTS in the military?
By South Korean law, all young, able-bodied men between the ages of 18 to 28 must serve between 18 to 21 months in the military, with no exceptions for K-pop stars.
Because of BTS’ success, in 2020, a revision was made to the country’s Military Service Act. According to the New York Times, the new law lets K-pop stars or entertainers postpone their military service until they turn 30.
This let Jin, the eldest BTS member and who was turning 30 in December 2022, defer his service.
The Military Manpower Administration has previously stated that members of the group would go through the same process as other South Korean males conscripted for service, per AP.
Did BTS break up?
No, BTS did not break up before they began their military enlistments.
They did, however, go on hiatus. In June 2022, BTS announced that they would be taking a break to pursue their solo careers and projects.
During BTS’ Festa dinner, which celebrates their founding, RM said that while they’ve accomplished many things together, they needed to develop and mature as individuals and solo artists.
“I think we should spend some time apart to learn how to be one again,” J-Hope added. “I hope you don’t see this as a negative thing, and see it as a healthy plan. I think BTS will become stronger that way.”
When will BTS get back together?
It is understood that the seven members will get back together and continue being a part of BTS after they’ve completed their military services.
BTS is expected to get back together in 2025.
When did each BTS member enlist in the military?
Jin, J-Hope and Suga were the first to enlist in the South Korean military. While all members vary in age, they each took their personal steps to enlist before the age of 30.
Jung Kook, V, RM and Jimin were the next four members to enlist.
When did Jin enlist in the military?
Jin became the first member of BTS to enter the military in December 2022.
On his 31st birthday, Dec. 4, 2023, he shared a message with his fans on Weverse, as well as an update on his military service.
“Hello, I’m Jin. Thank you for wishing me a happy birthday,” the message translated into English read, adding that he’s always enjoyed celebrating his birthday with the BTS Army, “But unfortunately, I can’t enjoy it this year, so it’s heartbreaking.”
“It’s already been a year since I joined the military,” he continued in part. “There’s still a lot of time left, but I’m already excited to be with you if I spend only a third of the total time. Oh, and our members are going to join the army. LOL. LOL. I’m going to cry. I hope that time passes quickly and I can have a good time with the members and the Army.”
He concluded, “I’m currently Sergeant Kim Seok-jin after one more early promotion due to my outstanding military career.”
Jin officially completed his military service on June 11, 2024.
When did J-Hope enlist in the military?
J-Hope was the second BTS member to enter the military. According to Reuters, he began his mandatory military service on April 18, 2023.
A day before his official start date, all seven members reunited to wish him farewell.
When did Suga enlist in the military?
Suga began his military service on September 22, 2023, per BigHit Music.
This came after the artist released his album, “D-Day,” under the name of Agust D, in April of that year. He also embarked on his “Suga Agust D Tour,” which concluded on Aug. 6, 2023, in Seoul, South Korea.
“I’ll faithfully serve and come back … Please stay healthy and let’s meet all again in 2025!” Suga wrote on Weverse, per AP.
When did V enlist in the military?
V officially enlisted in the military on Dec. 11, 2023, per AP.
The singer, as well as RM, who enlisted on the same day, began with five weeks of combat training before being assigned to specific units and duties, the outlet reported.
A day before beginning his service, V posted a black-and-white photo of himself. Translated on Instagram, the caption reads, “I’ll be back.”
On Weverse, he also wrote, “I think I’ll miss you so much.”
“Actually, I’m really sad that I can’t make happy memories with my Army for the time being,” V wrote, adding how hard it will be not to see his fans. “I’ll be back after 18 months of being healthy, so take care of your Army and if you’re looking for something to be happy about every day, cheers! I’m here! I’ll be back. And within 18 months, I’ve prepared a lot of things. Please look forward to it.”
“Let’s make another special memory like we always did,” the message continued. “I really miss you. I love you so much. So you have to wait until then.”
When did RM enlist in the military?
RM also officially enlisted in the military on Dec. 11, 2023.
He and V joined at the same time, with Jin welcoming them with a photo on his Instagram.
“I’ve been able to be a part of BTS for the past 10 years. I was so happy. I’ve been saying it like a habit,” he wrote in part on Weverse on Dec. 10. “Since the end is the beginning! I have no doubt that something else will be waiting for us afterwards.”
In his lengthy post, he added, “For 18 months, if it’s long, if it’s short, I believe this will be some strange and new period of inspiration and learning for all of us.”
He added that while it may be “scary,” he will take comfort in his fans’ love.
When did Jung Kook enlist in the military?
Jung Kook officially enlisted in the military on Dec. 12, 2023.
The youngest member went live on Weverse to say goodbye to his fans, sharing how he prepared himself before beginning his service.
“I came to say my final goodbyes,” he said in Korean and translated in English on the site. “Be healthy and well. I’ll come back safely.”
He added that he felt “uneasy” the day before his service began. “But I need to sleep a bit today in order to go tomorrow and focus and do well.”
“By tomorrow, all our members will be serving in the military,” he continued, thanking Army for their support.
When did Jimin enlist in the military?
Just like Jung Kook, Jimin enlisted in the military on Dec. 12, 2023.
Jimin simply wrote, “See you,” on Weverse. In the comments section, fans wished him well and told him how much they would miss him. He also went live, speaking in Korean and translated on the website, he said, “I needed to come earlier to greet you. It’s kind of sad because I’m not going to see you before I go in.”
“It’s not that you’re going in there because you’re happy. You go in because you have to,” he said, later adding that it hasn’t really hit him that he’s enlisting. But it did become more real after he shaved his head.
He added that enlisting with Jung Kook was “reassuring.” “We will do what we need to do and come back,” Jimin continued. “And after we come back, I’m going to do everything I want without any setbacks. I really hope so.”
