The global K-pop sensation BTS is almost fully reunited as all seven members have completed or are about to complete South Korea’s mandatory military service. The final member, rapper Suga, is set to be discharged on Saturday after serving as a social service agent, an alternative to active duty, reportedly due to a shoulder injury.
BTS’ agency has announced there will be no official events for Suga’s return to prevent overcrowding. The remaining members — RM, V, Jimin, Jung Kook, Jin, and j-hope — completed their military duties earlier, with Jin and j-hope discharged in June 2024 and October respectively.
BTS, short for Bangtan Sonyeondan (“Bulletproof Boy Scouts”), debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE). Their early work, including “2 Cool 4 Skool” and “Wings,” paved the way for global success with 2017’s hit “DNA,” the first Korean boy band song to enter the Billboard Hot 100. Their explosive international popularity grew with performances at major American award shows, marking a turning point for K-pop’s presence on the global stage.
BTS Honors Military Duty While Advancing Solo Careers During Group Hiatus Period
The group has consistently shattered records, including with 2020’s “Dynamite,” which became their first all-English single and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This achievement made them the first all-Korean act to reach the chart’s summit. BTS boasts multiple platinum certifications for albums and singles like “Mic Drop,” “Butter,” and “Map of the Soul: 7.” They’ve also been Grammy-nominated five times, becoming the first K-pop group to receive such recognition.
BTS Nears Full Reunion as Suga’s Discharge Marks End of Group’s Military ChapterBeyond music, BTS has become a powerful voice for social justice. They partnered with UNICEF for the “Love Myself” campaign to combat youth violence and later donated $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, a gesture their fans (the ARMY) matched in under 24 hours. Their advocacy work culminated in a 2022 visit to the White House, where they spoke with President Joe Biden about anti-Asian hate crimes, further cementing their role as cultural ambassadors.
BTS Honors Military Duty While Advancing Solo Careers During Group Hiatus Period
In South Korea, all able-bodied men must serve in the military; however, unlike athletes and classical artists, K-pop idols like BTS are not exempt. In 2020, a legal revision allowed K-pop stars to defer enlistment until age 30. Despite public debates and calls for BTS to receive special treatment, the group opted to fulfill their duties, with staggered enlistments announced in 2022. Their decision was seen as a respectful nod to national duty amid growing global fame.
The break from group activities allowed each member to focus on solo projects. Jin released two EPs, while Suga debuted “D-Day” under the name Agust D. RM explored new sonic territory with Right Place, Wrong Person, and j-hope not only released an EP but also embarked on his first solo tour.
Jimin dropped “Face” and “Muse,” V introduced his alt-R&B album Layover, and Jung Kook made waves with his retro-pop debut Golden. With their military duties behind them, BTS is expected to reunite later in 2025, fueling excitement among fans worldwide.