K-pop band BTS members RM and V react after being discharged from mandatory military service in Chuncheon, South Korea, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)AP
Four members of the Korean boyband BTS have completed their mandatory military service, prompting an anticipated reunion after a two-year hiatus.
Band members RM and V— whose given names are Kim Nam-joon and Kim Tae-hyung, respectively—were discharged on Tuesday after both served 18 months in the South Korean military, The Guardian reported.
After their release, the pair saluted and addressed roughly 200 international and domestic fans outside an outdoor sporting facility in Chuncheon, South Korea, The Guardian reported.
“Now, I’m ready to hit the ground running again as RM of BTS. Thank you to everyone who waited and looked after us,” RM said to fans while wearing his military uniform alongside V.
K-pop band BTS members RM and V react after being discharged from mandatory military service in Chuncheon, South Korea, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)AP
V said the military tenure was a “time for me to reset both physically and mentally.”
“I really want to run to (our fans) as soon as I can,” he said. “Thank you for waiting for us during our military service.”
On Wednesday, members Jimin and Jungkook — whose given names are Park Ji-min and Jeon Jung-kook — were also released after completing their 18-month military service, Yahoo.com reported.
The two also saluted and addressed their fans during a brief press conference after leaving the Yeoncheon Army base in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, Yahoo.com reported.
“It feels so awkward for us to be here in front of everyone,” Jungkook told fans. “It’s been so long since we’ve stood in front of a camera, and we’re not even wearing makeup.”
K-pop band BTS members Jimin, right, and Jung Kook speak to the media after being discharged from mandatory military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) AP
He also thanked his camp for helping take care of him during his military service, Yahoo.com reported.
Jimin also had a message for fans.
“It’s been such a long time, the COVID-19 pandemic and our military duties, but thank you for sticking through all that for us.”
The four newly released members will join bandmates Jin and J-Hope, who have already completed their military service. Member Suga is scheduled to be released at the end of June, NPR reported.
The seven-member K-pop boy band formed in 2010 and is known for its hit songs, including “Butter” (2021) and “Dynamite” (2020), according to Apple Music.
The band became the most-streamed group on Spotify and the first K-pop band to top the U.S. iTunes chart and several Billboard charts, the BBC reported.
K-pop band BTS members Jimin, right, and Jung Kook react after being discharged from mandatory military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)AP
In South Korea, all able-bodied men must serve in the army, navy or air force for 18 to 21 months under a conscription system established because of threats from rival North Korea, NJ.com reported.
Individuals with physical and mental issues can instead carry out their duties at non-military facilities such as welfare centers, community service centers and post offices for 21 months, NJ.com reported.
Despite becoming one of the most famous boybands in the world, all BTS members were not exempt from serving.
In 2022, the group went on a hiatus after Jin, the band’s oldest member, enlisted to complete his military service. The remaining members followed suit, NPR reported.
BTS is expected to reunite this year after all members are released from their military service, NPR reported.
Stories by Vashti Harris
Mosaic staff writer Vashti Harris can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com.
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