Currently, the members of BTS who have completed their military service are JIN and J-HOPE. JIN, who was the first to enlist, completed his military service as an active army soldier on the 12th June 2024, while J-HOPE was discharged at full term on the 17th October 2024. Since his discharge, JIN has been active, releasing his solo album ‘HAPPY’ and appearing on various variety shows. J-HOPE was also informed that he participated in the first pitch of the 2024 KBO Korea Series game and filmed MBC's Happy Life of a Single Man (I Live Alone).
The other five members are to be discharged or de-called in June in parallel. RM and V will be discharged together on the 10th June 2025, while JIMIN and JUNG KOOK, who enlisted together, will be discharged on the 11th June. SUGA, who is on alternative service as a social service member, will be called off on the 21st June.
Their last album as ‘BTS’ is the anthology album ‘Proof’, released in June 2022. The members then concentrated on their solo activities. JIMIN and JUNG KOOK reached No.1 on the Billboard HOT 100 with ‘Like Crazy’ and ‘SEVEN’ respectively, while SUGA reached No.2 on the Billboard 200. J-HOP became the first K-pop artists to headline the stage at the major US music festival ‘Lollapalooza’.
In particular, they slowly released their pre-worked albums and content during the gap, filling the void. At one point, they were all in military service, but this strategy minimised the gap period. If the seven members, who have not lost their brand power during their military service, return in full body, they are expected to have a huge ripple effect.
The members of BTS have re-signed another contract with BIGHIT in September 2023, and once the members complete their military service in June, there will be no major restrictions on their complete activities. However, the controversy over SUGA's drunken driving that occurred during his military service has not yet been fully resolved: in September 2024, when SUGA was on duty as a member of the community service personnel, he was caught riding an electric scooter in a drunken state.
SUGA received a summary order for a fine and legal action. However, in the process of reporting the news of the drunk driving, allegations were raised to try to diminish the incident, and while the drunk driving itself was a major problem, the process of explaining and apologising was an even bigger disappointment. This also caused ARMY to split into two factions, one supporting the complete body and the other demanding SUGA's departure from the group. With no clear conclusion yet reached, a hasty comeback could be toxic.
Apart from these controversies, the members have shown a strong will for full-body activities. After winning the grand prize at the ‘2024 MAMA AWARDS’, JIMIN said through the fan community "I'm spending my time excitedly thinking about what songs I'm going to play and what kind of stage I'm going to show you after my military discharge. I will show you a better and more matured appearance, so please expect a lot from me."
Global fans as well as industry insiders are interested in when and how the complete members of ‘BTS’ will return after their not-so-short military service period.
2025/01/01 15:21 KST
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