Jimin, Jung Kook, V, and RM are getting ready to fulfill their military duties, BTS‘ label Big Hit informed fans Tuesday. The four musicians are the last members of the group’s original seven to enlist.
“We would like to inform our fans that RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook have initiated the military enlistment process,” the statement read. “The artists are preparing to fulfill their military service duties. We will inform you of further updates in due course.”
“We ask you for your continued love and support for RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook until they complete their military service and safely return,” the message continued. “Our company will spare no effort in providing support for our artists. Thank you.”
The four members had recently been working on solo music. Jimin dropped his Production Diary documentary — about making his mini-album Face — in late October, Jung Kook dropped LP Golden earlier this month, V released project Layover in September, and RM dropped LP Indigo in December 2022.
The new statement also comes two months after Suga started his mandatory service as a social service agent, instead of joining the country’s military. Social service jobs in Korea are compulsory employment set up as an alternative to military conscription for those with physical or mental health issues. It was first reported in late 2022 that Suga would fulfill his service requirements this way, likely because he underwent shoulder surgery in 2020.
Jin signed up in December 2022, while Suga started his 18-month commitment in September 2023. The group will complete its service requirement over the next several years, with BTS’ hiatus expected to last through 2025.
In October, J-Hope informed fans that he was adjusting “very well” to military life, adding that he’s “becoming more mature.”
“Although I am working hard and adapting faster than I expected, I feel a lot of pressure… because my role is to lead and help young Koreans take their first steps in the military organization,” he wrote. He added that he recently achieved the “Super Warrior” title in the army. “I do my best at every moment in the situation and there are good results,” he wrote.
Big Hit announced J-Hope’s enlistment in February, while the label shared in October 2022 that the group would be going on hiatus so that the group’s members could fulfill their duties.
“BIGHIT MUSIC has focused to the milestone moment when it would be possible to respect the needs of the country and for these healthy young men to serve with their countrymen, and that’s now,” Big Hit shared at the time.
In South Korea, it is standard for men to begin a 21-month term by their 28th birthday. When Rolling Stone spoke with BTS for a cover story in 2021, their plans regarding enlistment were still uncertain — but they didn’t seem worried.
“I’m sure it will work out so that we can continue to see ARMY,” V said at the time. “About military service or what will happen, we haven’t discussed it in the specifics amongst ourselves, but I’m sure it’ll work out eventually.”