BTS members RM and V have officially completed their mandatory 18-month military service in South Korea. The moment brings the K-pop group one step closer to a highly anticipated reunion.
Four of BTS’ seven members have now been discharged from the South Korean military, with the final three expected to return by late June.
RM and V meet fans after discharge
RM and V were discharged Tuesday, June 10, according to several local outlets. Jin and J-Hope were discharged in 2024.
RM, whose full name is Kim Namjoon, served in the military band under the 15th Infantry Division. Born Kim Taehyung, V served in the elite Special Duty Team — a role reserved for soldiers with high physical capability and training, according to The Chosun Daily.
Both men appeared in uniform to greet a large group of fans in Chuncheon, South Korea. RM even brought out a saxophone to celebrate the moment, as V held flowers. One fan told the Associated Press she flew 18 hours from Mexico City just to witness the occasion.
Final members set for return
BTS is expected to reunite fully after the remaining three members are discharged: Jimin and Jung Kook are due back this week, and Suga will follow in late June.
The group, formed by Big Hit Entertainment in the early 2010s, gained popularity in America after they performed at the 2017 American Music Awards.
BTS continued breaking records before announcing a hiatus in 2022, when they detailed their plans for all members to enlist. They chose not to seek exemptions from South Korea’s mandatory military service, a decision that sparked widespread conversation.
Service sparks national identity debate
Their enlistment reignited a long-running debate in South Korea about fairness and national identity. Many asked whether international superstars should be allowed to skip service, or whether duty should apply equally to all citizens.
The group’s choice to serve, rather than seek special status, became a symbol of humility for some and a challenge to traditional definitions of national indispensability for others. It also highlighted increasing dissatisfaction among young Koreans and growing calls for conscription reform.
South Korea’s social pressures
At the same time, South Korea continues to face complex social issues.
In 2024, suicide rates hit a 13-year high, according to the Korea Herald. Fewer women are choosing to have children, which has culminated in a national movement dubbed 4B that includes rejecting dating, marriage, sex and childbirth with men.
These pressures further intensify conversations about purpose, obligation and the future of South Korean society — especially for the younger generation.
During a press conference on Tuesday covered by NBC News, RM said, “I worry a lot about the juniors still serving. I hope they undergo the remaining training safely and come back to society healthy so we can meet again.”
Geopolitical tensions raise stakes
Meanwhile, South Korea is navigating growing regional threats.
The South China Morning Post reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping recently urged South Korea’s new leadership to “put relations back on track.” At the same time, Russia is growing increasingly close to North Korea, further stoking instability on the Korean Peninsula.
A global comeback on the horizon
RM and V’s return marks a critical turning point for fans and the future of BTS.
During a livestream Tuesday, RM told fans, “Now that we’re back, we’ll make something fun and share it with you. We have plans in place,” according to NPR.
With a full reunion approaching, BTS may once again find themselves at the center of global conversations. Not just for their music, but their service and identity in their home country.
