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All seven members of BTS have officially enlisted in the South Korean military and are currently undergoing mandatory service with hopes of reuniting as a group in 2025.
Earlier this week, it was announced that BTS members RM (real name Kim Namjoon) and V (Kim Taehyung) officially started their mandatory military service on Monday, December 11. Jimin and Jungkook, fresh off promo for his solo debut album Golden, followed suit a day later, on Tuesday, December 12.
Jin was the first of the BTS members to start his military service in December 2022, shortly after his 30th birthday. J-Hope followed suit in April, while Suga started his conscription as a social service agent on September 22, 2023. The four remaining members of the group enlisting means all members of BTS are currently performing their military duty.
BTS's enlistment has been a topic of conversation for fans and critics alike for years, and the group made sure to first share some words with fans. Notably, leader RM took to fan platform Weverse to pen a letter to ARMYs.
"The day has actually come. I feel like there were a lot of things I wanted to say to you swirling around in my head, but now that it's actually time, I can't seem to get any words out," RM's message reads, as translated by fan account @BTS_Trans. “I believe, without a doubt, that something good will be waiting for us at the end of this. Seokjinie Hyung and Hoseok had to go through this first and they probably had a much harder time than us, who are just following in their steps. Watching them face things head-on and do so well, I gain immense courage myself, even if I am a bit late to do so. 18 months feels like both a long and short period of time. I believe that it will be one where we all experience a new and unfamiliar kind of inspiration and learning. I am scared and afraid, but during such uncertain times, what could be more comforting than knowing that there is something to wait for, to look forward to?”
"See you in the future," RM finished off the emotional letter. To lighten the mood, Jin took to the comment section, commenting, "어서와 군대는 처음이지?", which translates to "Welcome, first time in the military?" and mirrors the opening line of BTS's 2015 hit track "DOPE," which RM narrates.
Similarly to RM, V also took to Weverse to write a small message for ARMY. "I'm going to miss you so much to be honest, I'm alright other than the fact that I won't be able to make happy memories with ARMY for the time being," he wrote, accompanying his message with a series of throwback snaps. "I'll be back safely in 18 months, so take care, ARMY. After 18 months have passed, I've prepared a lot of things so please look forward to them."
Instead of penning messages, Jimin and Jungkook decided to address their enlistment with short separate live broadcasts on Weverse.
Jin and J-Hope, who are currently serving as sergeant and corporal in the South Korean Army, made sure to link up with their fellow members while on break to wish them well as they begin their basic training.
Prior to their official enlistment, BTS's label, Big Hit Music, asked fans not to show up at the enlistment sites of the members on Weverse. The members themselves also echoed this sentiment during a farewell Weverse live broadcast held on December 5, 2023. The length of typical conscription in South Korea is currently 18 months. Social service agents, like Suga, serve for 21 months.
Last year, when BTS's plans to fulfill their mandatory military service were announced, Big Hit Music stated both "the company and the members of BTS were looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025."
