BTS Reunion Nears as Jimin, Jungkook, RM, V Complete Military Service

K-pop group BTS' members Jimin and Jungkook were discharged from the South Korean military on Wednesday, the fifth and sixth to complete the country's mandatory service, prompting fan frenzy and anticipation for their long-awaited reunion.

On Tuesday morning, fans and media began gathering near Yeoncheon Public Stadium in Gyeonggi Province to welcome the two stars. 

The two K-pop idols 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.”

The duo enlisted together in late 2023, completing basic training at the same boot camp before being assigned to separate units. Jimin served with the military band under the 5th Infantry Division, while Jungkook completed his service with the Baekma Division.

Members RM and V were discharged on Tuesday, and the last to wrap up his service will be Suga on June 21, who is currently fulfilling his alternative service as a social worker.

RM and V greeted fans with salutes and a saxophone performance after being discharged. V asked fans to "wait just a little longer" for BTS to reunite.

Hundreds of fans, some of whom flew in from overseas, gathered in front of Hybe's headquarters in central Seoul to celebrate RM's and V's return on Tuesday.

Many of them were dressed in purple, BTS' signature colour, and carried large banners and photographs of the two K-pop idols.

South Korea requires all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 to serve for about two years in the military so the country can be ready to fight the North.

On Tuesday, Hybe displayed a banner saying "We are back", along with the official logos of BTS and ARMY - an acronym for the band's fan group, which stands for Adorable Representative MC for Youth - on its building.

The seven-member group put their global music career on hold in 2022 to begin their service at the height of their global fame, starting with Jin in December that year, each serving duties of varying lengths as long as 18 months.

The group will make their highly anticipated first public reunion at the upcoming 2025 BTS FESTA, taking place June 13-14 at KINTEX in Goyang, South Korea. 

The event promises to be a powerful homecoming celebration for fans worldwide and the start of BTS’ next chapter. 

BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys or "Bulletproof Boy Scouts" in Korean, began forming in 2010 after Big Hit Entertainment founder Bang Si-hyuk recruited RM, followed by Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. 

However, the band officially debuted in 2013, but it wasn't until 2017 when a highly successful US tour propelled their blend of pop, hip-hop and R&B - mostly in Korean - onto the global stage. Since then, the septet has become the most-streamed group on Spotify, the first K-pop act to top the US iTunes chart and several Billboard charts, and one of the most awarded groups in history.

BTS has actively advocated for youth issues, including through a mental health initiative with UNICEF. It has also addressed the United Nations General Assembly and met with former US President Joe Biden to discuss the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes.

In recent years, each of the seven members has also made a mark individually, with all scoring solo entries on the Hot 100. 

The band had previously won a deferral, when in 2020, the nation's parliament passed a bill allowing them to delay their duties until the age of 30. In 2022, the oldest member of the group, Jin, enlisted, and the others followed suit.