BTS Members to Enlist in South Korea's Military
By Michelle Montes
It was announced on Oct. 17, 2022, on Weverse, that BTS would be enlisting into South Korea’s mandatory military service to fulfill their duty. As they prepare for this, BTS will be on a hiatus, but will reunite in 2025.
Bangtan Sonyeondan, also known as BTS, is a South Korean Pop group that debuted in June of 2013.
Since then, the seven members have released countless albums, received numerous awards, and gained millions of fans they call ARMY. According to Guinness World Record, as of 2022, BTS holds 23 titles regarding their music and social media recognition.
South Korea’s mandatory military service is for all able-bodied men to fulfill 18 to 24 months of duty. They can enlist starting from ages 18 years until turning 30.
The seven members, Kim Namjoon, Kim Seokjin, Min Yoongi, Jung Hoseok, Park Jimin, Kim Taehynug and Jeon Jungkook are taking time off from the group and venturing off into enjoying time with friends and family.
It has not been stated in what order the members will enlist, if they will all go together, or their plans regarding this situation for most of the members. The eldest, Kim Seokjin, has stated enlistment will be this December on Weverse.
Their last concert was free of charge and held in Busan, South Korea. Titled “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” — the concert held a deeper meaning as they use this song as a way to say goodbye–for now.
ARMY said goodbye to BTS that night.
It was stated live on Weverse on Oct 28, 2022 by Seokjin himself the month he will leave for the military. He also discussed issues and criticism the group had faced for not enlisting sooner, and states how the enlistment date kept getting postponed for their fans called ARMY to have one last show before enlisting.
They are closing this chapter with their new album "Proof" which was released this year back in June as an anthropology album. Containing new and old songs, this album will be their last until they return back from their hiatus.
Before enlisting, a few of the members have released music.
Jung Hoseok, J-hope, was first to lead, releasing a 10 track set list album, “Jack In The Box”. His album was released in July 2022.
Kim Seokjin came afterwards, releasing a single with the help of British rock band Coldplay “The Astronaut”. Seokjin was also able to perform this song live at Cold Play’s Music of Spheres tour in Buenos Aires.
Kim Namjoon recently released his first official album “Indigo”, a 10 song tracklist December of 2022. Kim Namjoon goes into greater detail on the process of creating this album and his thoughts on each track.
Youngest member, Jeon Jungkook, became the first Korean artist to open for the FIFA World Cup that took place in Qatar, performing his new single “Dreamers”.
It is only a matter of time until the rest of the members release their solo music.
As BTS said themselves, “this is only the beginning, the best is yet to come.”
BTS, see you 7 in 2025!