SEOUL — Two members of the globally renowned K-pop supergroup BTS stepped out of a South Korean military base situated approximately a dozen miles from the North Korean border on Wednesday. They greeted a throng of news cameras and enthusiastic fans with bright smiles and salutes, joyfully announcing the completion of their mandatory military service. Jimin and Jungkook didn’t need to vocalize their excitement; their beaming faces spoke volumes. “Honestly, it’s been a while to be in front of a camera … so it’s a little embarrassing,” Jungkook admitted during the heartfelt reunion. Meanwhile, Jimin expressed gratitude to their fans, acknowledging that while military life was challenging, he had forged unforgettable memories during his service.
The discharge of Jimin and Jungkook marks a significant moment for BTS, arguably the most popular South Korean boy band in history and a household name around the world thanks to international hits like “Dynamite.” Their return to civilian life suggests that BTS could soon be back on stage, captivating audiences once again. The last time all seven members performed together was in 2022 during a concert in Busan, South Korea. With six out of seven members now civilians, the path is clear for them to tour and perform. RM and V also completed their military service at a different base in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, this week. Last year saw the discharge of Jin and J-Hope, while the final member, Suga, is set to complete his duties later this month.
In South Korea, most males are required to serve a minimum of 18 months in the military, although there are a few exceptions for high-performing athletes and classical musicians—none of which apply to the members of BTS. The band announced their intention to fulfill their military obligations in 2022, shortly after revealing a hiatus that sent waves of emotion through their global fanbase, known as ARMY.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS has achieved remarkable success, selling tens of millions of records worldwide and receiving multiple Grammy nominations. They have consistently topped the Billboard 200 chart, generating hundreds of millions of dollars for their labels, Hybe and Big Hit Music. In a February conference call, Hybe’s CEO revealed that at one point, BTS accounted for up to 95 percent of the company’s revenue since it went public on the South Korean stock exchange in 2020. Hybe’s annual revenue has soared from $581 million in 2020 to an impressive $1.6 billion in 2024. However, despite increasing overall sales, the company experienced a decline in profitability in 2024, attributing part of the drop to BTS's “temporary break.”
This week, the walls of Hybe headquarters in the Yongsan district of Seoul reflected the excitement of fans and the music industry alike, prominently displaying the message “WE ARE BACK.” This statement encapsulates the anticipation surrounding BTS’s return and the potential for new music and performances that fans have eagerly awaited.
