BTS is nearing its highly anticipated full reunion, as two more members have completed their mandatory military service. RM and V officially returned to civilian life on Tuesday, while Jimin and Jungkook, the youngest members of the global K-pop phenomenon, made their reappearance on Wednesday.
Seen outside Yeoncheon Public Stadium in Gyeonggi Province to greet fans and media, Jimin and Jungkook both expressed gratitude and reflected on their time in uniform.
“Thank you to the fans and reporters who came to see us,” Jimin said. “It’s been a long time, from the pandemic to military service. Now that we’re back, we’ll work hard to show you what we’ve prepared.”
Jungkook added, “There were a lot of unforgettable moments. Thanks to everyone who served with us and supported us along the way.”
Jimin went on to share a more personal reflection, hinting at what’s next: “Now that I’m discharged, I think it’s time we continue drawing the picture we had in mind. We’ll prepare well and share it with you soon.” He closed with a heartfelt message: “Military life wasn’t easy, but I’m grateful for the memories. If you see a soldier on the street, a warm gesture can mean a lot.”
Having enlisted together in late 2023, the pair trained side-by-side before being assigned to separate units within the Army’s 5th Infantry Division Artillery Brigade. Despite the pause on group activities, both continued to make history during their service. Jimin became the first Korean solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with Like Crazy, while Jungkook’s debut album GOLDEN peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, gaining global praise.
Upon their discharge in Chuncheon, both RM and V addressed their devoted fanbase. RM, the group’s leader, expressed his gratitude to those who waited. “Now, I’m ready to hit the ground running again as RM of BTS. Thank you to everyone who waited and looked after us,” he said. V shared that his military tenure offered a chance to “reset both physically and mentally,” adding, “I really want to run to ARMY as soon as I can. Thank you for waiting for us during our military service.”
Hybe, BTS’s agency, celebrated their return with a banner on its central Seoul headquarters proclaiming “We are back,” alongside the official logos of BTS and ARMY (the band’s fan group).
BTS’ long-awaited reunion now feels more real than ever. With Jin, j-hope, RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook all back, fans are setting their sights on the 2025 BTS FESTA, happening 13–14 June at KINTEX in Goyang. The event marks what could be the group’s first full public appearance in years — a powerful celebration of brotherhood, resilience, and the beginning of BTS’ next era.
Full Reunion on the Horizon
With six of the seven members now discharged, the final piece of the puzzle is Suga, who is scheduled to complete his alternative military service later this month, on June 21. This will bring all seven members back into active status, fueling immense speculation about their full reunion and the release of new music.
The band’s 12th anniversary, known as FESTA, will take place on Friday, with thousands of fans pouring into South Korea for the occasion. The intense interest in the members’ discharges has led local media to describe the reunion as a “revival of the K-pop industry.”
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Before their enlistment, BTS members had previously secured a deferral in 2020, allowing them to delay their duties until age 30. However, they opted to fulfil their mandatory service without special exemptions, with Jin, the oldest member, enlisting in December 2022, followed by the others.
BTS’s return marks a significant moment for their devoted fanbase and the broader K-pop landscape, as the global music powerhouse prepares for its next chapter.
