Two members of global K-pop sensation BTS, RM and V, were officially discharged from South Korea’s mandatory military service on Tuesday, thrilling fans with a declaration that they hope to return to the stage “as soon as possible.”
BTS, the nation’s most successful music export, has been on a break since 2022 to allow all seven members to fulfill their military obligations.
Now, as members begin to complete their service, anticipation of a full group comeback is gaining momentum.
Outside two separate military bases, devoted fans gathered early to welcome RM, who was recently honored as “Favorite K-pop Artist” at the American Music Awards and singer V back to civilian life.
The two exited different vehicles to loud cheers, embraced, and RM gave a short saxophone performance, with V beside him holding bouquets of flowers and smiling warmly.
“What we want most right now is to perform again,” RM shared, still dressed in uniform, speaking to reporters and fans alike.
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“We’re working hard on the new album so we can return to the stage as soon as possible.”
Reflecting on his 18 months of military service, RM admitted, “There had been many difficult and painful moments.”
He added that the experience brought him closer to his father and longtime friends, many of whom had already served.
V described the experience as transformative: “Military service was a time for me to reset and rebuild both my body and mind.”
“Now that I’ve done that, I truly want to run straight to ARMY as soon as possible,” he said, referring to the group’s official fanbase.
By the end of this week, four members of BTS will have completed their service. Two others were released last year, while the final member, SUGA, fulfilling an alternative, non-combat service, is set to finish later this month.
Despite calls from BTS’s agency, HYBE, for fans to avoid the discharge sites due to safety concerns, crowds still turned out. Dozens stood outside V’s base, clutching signs and waiting patiently.
“Honestly, I came here with such high expectations,” 28-year-old Yang Ho-hee told AFP. Nearby, fans had hung brightly colored banners with affectionate messages like: “Taehyung, let’s never be apart again,” using V’s birth name, Kim Tae-hyung.
A nearby football field became the gathering spot for hundreds of global fans, eager for a glimpse of the stars.
“Actually, it’s mixed emotions. I feel like I’m crying already,” said Arlene Mendoza, who had traveled from the Philippines.
“I’ve been travelling to Korea so many times, but this is actually the first time I’ll see V.”
Mendoza also revealed she plans to attend J-Hope’s concert and other BTS FESTA events this week. FESTA, held annually to celebrate BTS’s debut, attracts thousands of fans from around the world to Seoul.
This year’s celebration coincides with the military returns, heightening excitement.
HYBE confirmed in 2023 that all seven members had renewed their contracts. With SUGA’s discharge scheduled for June 21, industry watchers predict a flurry of profitable group activities on the horizon.
“In the case of HYBE share prices, the current market consensus is seen as not fully reflecting BTS’s impact,” Daishin Securities analyst Lim Soo-jin told AFP.
Although HYBE’s chairman is currently under investigation for alleged insider trading and the firm was recently raided by authorities, the company’s stock has still surged, jumping 10 percent in the week leading up to June 9.
Prior to their enlistments, BTS contributed over 5.5 trillion won (approximately $4 billion) annually to South Korea’s economy, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. That represented nearly 0.2 percent of the nation’s GDP.
While HYBE has hinted at a comeback this year, the company also emphasized the importance of giving the group time to regroup.
“Normally, the process goes from song production to album release, then a tour,” HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang said at a shareholder meeting in March.
“But since BTS have already become global top-tier artists, we are continuing discussions about their vision and what’s next,” he added.
Outside HYBE’s headquarters in Seoul, fan-made banners expressed joy and gratitude, “Thank you for making even the waiting feel joyful.” A giant slogan wrapped around the building proclaimed: “WE ARE BACK,” setting the tone for BTS FESTA and hinting at the return of one of the world’s biggest music acts.
On Tuesday morning, HYBE shares jumped nearly three percent, reaching their highest point in two years — a sign of just how powerful BTS’s return could be.