BTS’s Full Group Return Confirmed as All Members Finish Military Service

All seven members of BTS have completed their mandatory military service in South Korea. The completion of the last member’s service was marked on the 21st, when rapper SUGA finished his duties as a social service officer. It is reported that SUGA chose this alternative to military service due to an shoulder injury. With this, RM, V, Jimin, Jung Kook, Jin, j-hope, and SUGA — all seven members — have now finished their compulsory service. The eldest member, Jin, left military service in June 2024, followed by j-hope in October. Earlier this month, RM, V, Jimin, and Jung Kook sequentially completed their service. BTS began its military enlistment process in December 2022 with Jin’s enlistment, carrying out their service over approximately two years and six months through staggered enlistments. The group spread out their enlistments over a relatively short period to minimize downtime in their activities. This strategy reflected the reality of the K-POP industry, where industry insiders observe the emergence of new groups and market changes during gaps of over two years. Despite this, BTS’s voluntary enlistment was positively received in South Korea. Professor Lee Gyu-tak of George Mason University in Korea (specializing in cultural studies and cultural anthropology) stated, “Failing to serve in the military can lead to negative perceptions in Korean society, which can be fatal for idols whose image is crucial. Completing military service properly also holds significant importance for maintaining trust with fans.” Cultural critic Kim Young-dae, author of “BTS: THE REVIEW,” analyzed, “If they had received exemptions, it might have created the impression of relying on the state. Instead, by completing their duties cleanly, they removed unnecessary burdens and created opportunities to operate freely.” During their military service, BTS did not remain completely inactive. Each member continued to produce solo content and projects to stay connected with fans. Stephanie, a 30-year-old fan from Brazil, said, “The members prepared a lot of solo content, so I wasn’t lonely. It was a time that was both sad and happy. It feels like a dream now that they are returning as a full group.” The “BTS Festival 2025,” held in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, on the 13th, was the first official event where fans worldwide gathered to celebrate BTS’s return. This annual event, held to mark BTS’s debut date, included an additional special encore concert from member j-hope this year. The venue featured a “Trophy Zone” displaying 50 trophies in total and a “Voice Zone” where fans could listen to recordings left by the members. The highlight was the “Mikrokosmos” lighting show held at noon every day. Buyo Matiwane, a 35-year-old fan from South Africa, said at the festival, “I couldn’t stop crying when Mikrokosmos appeared. I really couldn’t believe they had returned; it was a moment I had waited for so long.” Para Ala, who traveled to Korea for the festival from the Netherlands, said, “Just by breathing the same air, drinking the same water, and eating the same food, I felt like I was with BTS. I even visited Korea last year while the members were still in military service.” The number of fans gathered from around the world demonstrated the scale of the event. A long, continuous line stretched all the way to the subway starting one hour before the gates opened, and the mix of English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and Korean reflected BTS’s true global influence. Among the fans interviewed by BBC reporters, about half cried, saying they would miss BTS. Although HYBE has not yet officially announced plans for the seven members’ full-group activities, industry insiders expect a reunion later this year. Music critic Kim Young-dae analyzed, “Without BTS, it’s like a core pillar has been removed. There are concerns about recent declines in K-POP momentum, but BTS could change that perception.” BTS’s return, as the biggest symbol of K-POP in the global music market, is likely to lead to a new leap forward for the entire K-POP industry.