The remaining four members of K-pop juggernaut Bangtan Boys, also known as BTS, are preparing for boot camp as they start their mandatory military service.
“RM, Ji-min, V and Jung-kook have initiated the process of enlistment,” their management agency Big Hit Music said Wednesday. Jin, J-Hope and Suga have already joined the military.
BTS fans posted messages on their website in Korean, Japanese and English wishing the members the best.
BTS did not reveal the exact enlistment dates of each remaining member, but Jung-kook said in a separate message, “This coming December… I’m leaving you for a short while to serve in the military. After I return, I promise that I will be where I always am, on stage — having grown.”
Bangtan Boys
The record-breaking boys have said they want to resume performing in 2025, when all of them are discharged. Jin and J-hope are serving in the Army and set to be discharged in June and October 2024, while J-hope will be completing his substitute service at a public agency in June 2025.
BTS were authorized by the minister of culture, sports and tourism in 2020 to delay their draft until they turn 30 in recognition of their contributions to Korea, which in theory means they have another few years. But instead the squeaky-clean teen idols applied to the Military Manpower Administration to cancel the benefit.
The group extended their contracts with Big Hit Music early this month beyond 2025.
The four will keep performing as solo artists until they start their military service.
All seven members have released solo singles and made it on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with Ji-min’s “Like Crazy” and Jung-kook’s “Seven” rising to the top spot in March and October.
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