The K-pop sensation BTS is taking a temporary hiatus as the remaining four members are set to begin their mandatory military service in South Korea in mid-December, joining the three who are already serving. This news was reported by Yonhap, citing sources in the music industry.
There’s been a public discourse about whether BTS members should be exempted from this service, given their significant contributions to the thriving K-pop industry.
About the South Korean mandatory service
South Korea, which maintains one of the world’s largest active armies to safeguard against North Korea, mandates all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 to serve in the military for a period of 18 to 21 months.
RM, the group’s main rapper and leader, and vocalist V are scheduled to enlist on December 11, with Jimin and Jung Kook following them the next day, as per Yonhap’s report.BTS Reunites At Nonsan Amidst Heavy Rain As RM & V Begin Their Mandatory Military Service.
Members at the boot camp
J-Hope and Jin, who are currently serving as active soldiers in the military, arrived straight from their duties, donning their military uniforms. They shared some words of wisdom with V and RM, drawing from their own experiences in the South Korean army.
Suga, who has been serving as a public officer due to a shoulder injury that exempted him from military service, also joined the reunion, adding to the special occasion.
Jimin and Jungkook, who are set to join the Army’s 5th Infantry Division Training Center tomorrow, visited the boot camp to lift the spirits of their bandmates. The event saw a total of six vehicles arriving, marking a memorable day for the band and their fans.
After their initial training, these four will serve as active-duty army soldiers for 18 months, as reported by Star News, an entertainment media outlet.
Jin, the oldest member of the group at 30, is expected to complete his military service and be discharged in June.
The news about member’s enlistment
HYBE, BTS’ management agency, confirmed that the four members have started the enlistment process but did not immediately respond to further comments. Earlier this month, Jung Kook announced in a blog post his decision to serve in the military in December.
Kim Seokjin (Jin): Enlisted in December 2022.
Kim Namjoon (RM) and Kim Taehyung (V): Enlisted on December 11, 2023.
Jeon Jungkook and Park Jimin Also enlisted in December 2023.
Min Yoongi (Suga): Expected to enlist in September 2023.
Jung Hoseok (J-Hope): Expected to enlist in April 2023.
BTS’s V Note to Army
BTS’s V expressed his emotions in a touching message, saying, “I believe I’m going to miss you all deeply. Truthfully, it saddens me that I won’t be able to create joyful memories with my ARMY for a while. It’s okay to feel down sometimes, but what’s most difficult is not being able to see the ARMY. I’ll return after 18 months, healthier and stronger, so please take care, my ARMY. If you’re searching for a reason to smile each day, here’s a cheer for you.”
BTS’s RM Note to Army
we’ve been anticipating has finally arrived. I had so many thoughts I wanted to share with you all, but now words seem to escape me. Looking back at the past 10 years, I feel immense joy for having had the opportunity to live as a part of BTS.” The artist concluded his heartfelt note by expressing, “As we live our lives with diligence and sincerity in our respective places, we look forward to returning with wide smiles. We hope to be more open, and full of heart and soul when we meet again. So, it’s not a final goodbye, but a ‘see you soon’. When I return, I’ll greet you all once again with a warm ‘hello’.”
The K-pop group BTS recently had a much-awaited reunion, with pictures shared on their official Twitter handle, @BTS_twt. The photos showed the band members together after a long time, creating quite a buzz among fans.
Comments 2