BTS’ RM and V Begin Mandatory South Korean Military Service

BTS is officially on hiatus until 2025.

According to The Associated Press, K-pop group members RM and V began their mandatory enlistment in the South Korean military on Monday, a day before their bandmates Jimin and Jungkook are also scheduled to enlist.

As reported by the AP, RM, 29, and V, 27, arrived Monday at a military camp in Nonsan, South Korea, where they are scheduled to begin their service.

Jimin, 28, and Jungkook, 26, will reportedly report for duty together on Tuesday.

Jungkook and Jimin from BTS.

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Now that all seven members of the band have signed up for their required 18 months of service – as Jin, J-Hope and Suga have previously signed up – the group will remain on hiatus until 2025.

The musicians are said to undergo five weeks of combat training before receiving their specific assignments, according to the AP.

Currently, Suga is fulfilling his requirements as a social service agent, while Jin and J-Hope serve in the military.

Before leaving for the military, both RM and V shared farewell posts on social media with their loyal fan base known as ARMY.

BTS.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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RM shared a thoughtful message to fans on social media platform WeVerse on Sunday. After writing that “there were a lot of things [he] wanted to say” before reporting to duty, reflected on the last 10 years of the band “Dynamite” together as a group.

“I’ve been so happy to be a part of BTS for the past 10 years,” he wrote. “18 months can seem long and short at the same time and I’m sure this period will be a strange and new time of inspiration and learning for us all.”

In a lengthy note that was translated from Korean to English, he added that he was “looking forward” to the K-pop band’s reunion. “See you in the future,” he signed. “I love you so much.”

V also shared a message on WeVerse, as well as a handful of sweet photos with his bandmates over the past decade, including shots from 2013.

In the caption, which was originally written in Korean, he expressed that it will be difficult to be away from the ARMY for the next year and a half. He added, however, that he is already excited about the future. His post ended: “I’ll be back soon!”

V’s Instagram story.

V/Instagram

The A cross section the artist also took to Instagram on Sunday to share a selfie on his Story of his recently cropped haircut, which he shaved off to comply with military standards.

News of the “Butter” singer’s enlistment comes a week after their management BIGHIT MUSIC confirmed to fans in a statement on social media platform WeVerse that Jimin, Jungkook, RM, and V are beginning the enlistment process.

They wrote, “RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook will fulfill their required time in the military by enlisting. RM and V will apply according to their own procedures, while Jimin and Jung Kook should apply together.”

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BIGHIT MUSIC also advised fans not to purchase unauthorized merchandise or concert tickets while BTS is away and assured that they will “provide all necessary support during this time.”

Although there has been debate over the past few years over whether K-pop idols should continue to follow South Korea’s policy that all able-bodied males between the ages of 18 and 28 must perform their civic duty of military service, the hitmaker’s management ultimately announced in October 2022 that they will comply. They then revealed that the seven-piece pop group were planning to stick to a schedule so they could reunite by 2025.

Last year, Jin, 30, was the first to apply. J-Hope, 29, enrolled in April this year, and Suga, 30, was next in September.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education