BTS’ RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook Begin Military Service Enlistment Process

BTS members RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have started their “military enlistment process”, Big Hit Music announced on Tuesday.

In a statement published on the fan community platform, BTS’ label Big Hit Music announced that members RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have officially begun the process of enlisting for mandatory military service in South Korea.

“We would like to inform our fans that RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook [of BTS] have initiated the military enlistment process,” Big Hit Music announced. “The artists are preparing to fulfil their military service duties. We will inform you of further updates in due course.”

“We ask you for your continued love and support for RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook until they complete their military service and safely return. Our company will spare no effort in providing support for our artists,” it added.

The quadruple is the last four members who have yet to enlist for military service. The process began in December 2022 with Jin, followed by J-hope in April 2023 and Suga in September 2023.

South Korea requires military service for two years from all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28. It revised the law in 2019 to let globally recognized K-pop stars delay signing up until 30.

In December 2020, the Korean National Assembly passed a motion (nicknamed the “BTS law”) to allow top K-pop stars to postpone service until age 30 with a recommendation from the culture minister.

BTS announced plans in October to sever their military service, starting with Jin, who turned 30 on December 4, after having postponed his service for the maximum time allowed. The band will reunite in 2025 after pursuing individual projects.

The military enlistment of BTS members has drawn the attention of not only fans but also politicians in South Korea. Some lawmakers floated the idea of granting the hit group an exemption from mandatory military service to allow them to continue to perform instead.

However, the band's agency last year said that the members planned to complete military duty by 2025.