Fans of Korean pop group BTS were devastated to find out that the remaining four band members are set to begin their two years of compulsory military service, ensuring that they won’t return to the charts and concert stages until at least 2025.
The seven-piece K-pop sensation is behind hits such as Fake Love and Dynamite and has a huge, loyal global fan base. RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook are the latest members to enlist with the South Korean army, music label Big Hit Music announced this week.
In South Korea, it is mandatory that all able-bodied men between 18-28 complete two years of military service. Through being awarded South Korea’s Hwagwan Orders of Cultural Merit, as Billboard reported, the group postponed their military service until they were 30.
The four are following in the footsteps of older band members Suga, J-Hope and Jin, who previously joined the Korean Military in September and April this year, and in December 2022, respectively. This means that all of the band members will have now enlisted in the military.
No set date has been announced for their return, with band members ending their national service starting in December 2024.
Fans have not been quiet about the news, uniting across multiple platforms to share their grief.
On X, formerly Twitter, a diehard fan said: “Me crying over the fact that all four of BTS will be gone but the fact that at least they’re going to be together and maybe enlist together at the same base is giving me so much relief PLEASE KEEP THEM TOGETHER.”
One fan joked: “I know I said the rest of BTS needed to go head and enlist so we can have them back but all 4 of y’all at once is crazy,..”
There has also been a special shoutout to Jungkook who, at 26, does not need to enlist yet, but has chosen to do so with his fellow bandmates.
“Jungkook going with his hyungs even though he didn’t have to enlist yet has me tearing off the walls and not even a bts stan,” a social media user said.
BTS’ followers, who call themselves the BTS ARMY, have been encouraged to stay dedicated to the group by one fan: “ARMY, let’s keep busy. PLEASE don’t go anywhere. we promised that BTS may enlist but armys will still be here working hard for them. we have goals to reach.”
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The record label previously said: “The members of BTS are currently moving forward with plans to fulfill their military service. Group member Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October. He will then follow the enlistment procedure of the Korean government. Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans.”
Adding that the company and the members of BTS look forward to “reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment.”
Source: Newsweek.com