BTS Members Jimin and Jung Kook Complete Military Service, Reunion on the Horizon

K-pop icons Jimin and Jung Kook marked a significant milestone Wednesday as they completed their mandatory military service in South Korea, joining their fellow BTS members in returning to civilian life.

Wearing their military uniforms, the duo greeted a crowd of fans who gathered to celebrate their discharge. Jung Kook expressed gratitude to those who traveled from afar, acknowledging the surreal experience of stepping back into the public eye. “Actually, it’s been so long since I’ve been in front of cameras, and I didn’t even put on makeup, so I’m a bit embarrassed,” he remarked, revealing his mixed emotions about the moment.

The two enlisted in December 2023, following RM and V, who began their service just a day earlier. V had his own moment of appreciation for fans during his discharge on Tuesday, hinting at the excitement surrounding the group's future. “If you can just wait a little bit longer, we will return with a really amazing performance,” he teased, igniting anticipation for their reunion.

As the final members to complete their service, Jimin and Jung Kook's return signals a new chapter for BTS. The group plans to reunite in 2025 after fulfilling their military obligations. Notably, six of the seven members served in the army, while Suga is currently serving as a social service agent and is expected to be discharged later this month.

Jin, the eldest member, completed his service in June 2024, followed by J-Hope in October. South Korea mandates that all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 serve between 18 to 21 months in the military as part of a conscription system designed to deter threats from North Korea.

While certain exemptions exist for athletes and artists who achieve notable accolades, K-pop stars like BTS do not qualify for such privileges. In 2020, however, BTS was allowed to postpone their enlistment until age 30 due to a revision in the Military Service Act.

The topic of special exemptions for BTS sparked intense public debate in 2022, but ultimately, the group's management confirmed that all seven members would fulfill their military duties. As fans eagerly await their return, the excitement builds for what lies ahead for BTS.