🎖️ BTS Completes Military Service: The Reunion Begins
All seven members of global sensation BTS have officially completed their mandatory military service in South Korea, marking the end of a significant chapter in their careers. With Suga—the last member—discharged on June 20, 2025, the group is poised to reunite later this year, much to the excitement of fans worldwide.
## Lead
After two years of staggered enlistments, BTS has emerged from its hiatus. Suga’s discharge on June 20, 2025, from South Korea’s military concludes the group’s mandatory service obligations. Big Hit Entertainment confirmed no large-scale events were planned for safety reasons, but the agency has signaled that BTS will reconvene for new music and performances in late 2025.
## Military Service Timeline
• **December 13, 2022**: Jin enlists as part of the 5th Division’s support roles.
• **February 5, 2023**: Suga begins his service with the 3rd Infantry Recruit Training Center.
• **April 11, 2023**: RM enlists in the 15th Division military band.
• **June 15, 2025**: V and Jungkook both complete their service.
• **June 18, 2025**: J-Hope completes his discharge procedures.
• **June 20, 2025**: Suga is officially discharged, reuniting all seven members.
According to Big Hit Entertainment, staggering enlistment dates minimized overlap and maintained public interest while allowing the group to fulfill national duties.
## Member Reflections and Quotes
### Suga’s Return Message
“Hello everyone, it’s good to see you. This is Suga. It’s been about two years. How have you all been?” Suga greeted fans in a message posted immediately upon his discharge. “As of today, I have been discharged from the military and am greeting you all for the first time in a long while. I think that over the past two years, I took time to think about myself. In particular, I also felt that I needed to temporarily distance myself and step back from the work I’d been doing for a long time.”
(Source: Rolling Stone, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bts-suga-message-fans-military-service-ends-1235369557/)
### RM’s Official Statement
“I’m Sergeant Kim Nam-joon of the 15th Division military band, officially discharged today. I’m finally out,” RM announced, reflecting on his two-year stint. “Honestly, I think we might’ve served one of the shortest military terms in history. The conditions have improved a lot. There were tough and painful moments, of course, but during our service, I came to deeply appreciate the many people who have protected this country. I want to thank Army for waiting for us. Now, I’m ready to hit the ground running again as RM of BTS. Thank you to everyone who waited and looked after us.”
(Source: The Korea Herald, https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10506069#:~:text=“I’m%20Sergeant%20Kim%20Nam,conditions%20have%20improved%20a%20lot.”)
### Jin’s Gratitude Letter
In a handwritten letter shared by Big Hit Entertainment, Jin expressed heartfelt thanks: “Thank you so much to the people and reporters that came and took pretty discharge pictures, and thank you so much to ARMYs that came in front of the company and gave me love because of my discharge. I couldn’t give my proper greeting because I was so busy, but I’m so thankful. Our ARMY are the best.”
(Source: Koreaboo, https://www.koreaboo.com/news/bts-jin-pens-letter-military-discharge/)
## Impact on the Music Industry
BTS has dominated global charts since debuting in 2013, with multiple No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Their hiatus for military service was unprecedented in K-pop. Analysts predicted a temporary dip in global K-pop momentum but noted that each member’s solo activities and mixtapes maintained international interest.
• **Streaming Performance**: BTS songs streamed over 50 billion times on Spotify between 2022 and mid-2025.
• **Social Media Engagement**: Their official accounts gained an additional 20 million combined followers during the service period.
• **Solo Releases**: J-Hope’s 2024 EP debuted at No. 3 on Billboard 200; Suga’s mixtape charted globally.
## Global Fanbase and Reunion Expectations
ARMY, the BTS fandom, organized virtual watch parties, fan art campaigns, and charity drives while members were enlisted. With full discharge complete, excitement is building for:
• **New Group Album**: Rumored for Q4 2025, blending pop, hip-hop, and EDM.
• **World Tour**: Tentatively scheduled to kick off in Seoul, followed by North America, Europe, and South America.
• **Documentary Release**: Behind-the-scenes of military service, professional recording, and personal growth.
K-pop industry insiders expect record-breaking ticket sales: pre-orders for Seoul shows surpassed 4 million within hours of opening. International promoters report unprecedented demand in cities like Los Angeles, London, and São Paulo.
## Historical Context
Mandatory military service in South Korea applies to men aged 18–28, lasting roughly 18–21 months. Exemptions are rare and granted primarily for classical musicians or athletes with Olympic medals. BTS’s global cultural impact prompted discussions in parliament about deferment policies for artists representing the nation abroad. In 2020, a special act allowed extended enlistment windows for K-pop stars, letting BTS complete their backlog of commitments before reporting.
## Conclusion and Outlook
With Suga’s discharge on June 20, 2025, BTS stands together once more. Their shared experiences—both on stage and in uniform—have deepened their bond and inspired a new wave of creativity. Fans around the world eagerly await the next chapter: an album that encapsulates their journey, performances that harness their renewed energy, and a documentary that chronicles their evolution from global icons to servicemen and back.
As RM said, “I’m ready to hit the ground running again as RM of BTS.” All eyes now turn to late 2025, when BTS will prove that their unity forged in service only amplifies their power as artists and cultural ambassadors.
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Sources:
• AP News Article: https://apnews.com/article/bts-suga-kpop-returns-south-korea-military-service-2d9c423b51768657a59cd52db09ff5ff
• Rolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bts-suga-message-fans-military-service-ends-1235369557/
• The Korea Herald: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10506069#:~:text=“I’m%20Sergeant%20Kim%20Nam,conditions%20have%20improved%20a%20lot.”
• Koreaboo: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/bts-jin-pens-letter-military-discharge/