BTS Military has been a highly searched topic in recent years. We all know it wasn’t easy dealing with the military service that led BTS to take a break from their career. Actually, all members have now completed their military service.
In this article, we’ll break down how military service works in South Korea and what impact it has on BTS and their fans.
BTS Military Enlistment – How It Works
Military service in South Korea is quite different from what we know in Brazil. To begin with, the country still lives under military tension with North Korea, a lingering consequence of a war that, although technically ended, has not brought lasting peace. In reality, the two countries are not in a state of peace, but rather under an armistice—a kind of ceasefire agreed upon by both sides.
The Korean War and the Context of Military Service
To summarize: the Korean War was an armed conflict between South Korea (supported by the United States and the UN) and North Korea (backed by the Soviet Union and China). The war began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded the South in an attempt to unify the peninsula under a communist regime.
The war saw advances and retreats from both sides, resulting in millions of deaths, including civilians. On July 27, 1953, an armistice was signed, but no peace treaty was ever concluded—meaning that the two Koreas are technically still at war. The border was set along the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), one of the most heavily militarized regions in the world.
How Military Service Works in South Korea
The length of mandatory military service in South Korea varies depending on the category and branch of service. In general, recruits serve between 18 and 21 months.
All Korean men undergo a physical fitness assessment for military service. After that, a recruit can be assigned to the Army, Navy, or Air Force. There’s also mandatory social service (such as administrative or support roles in hospitals, public institutions, or schools), or the possibility of receiving a medical exemption.
During the first five weeks of basic training, recruits have their wallets, phones, and other personal items taken away. After this period, once they’re assigned to a base, a family member or friend can send their belongings back.
Military Service and What Made BTS Different
But as with everything related to BTS, even their military service came with unique circumstances. So let’s go through a full recap of what happened before, during, and after enlistment—and we promise to keep this article updated now that all 7 members are back to normal life.
The “BTS Law” – The Impact of BTS Military
By Korean law, male citizens must enlist between the ages of 18 and 28. But if you think back, you’ll remember that Jin was already 29 when he enlisted. So how was that possible?
South Korea already had special exemptions in place for Olympic athletes and artists who had achieved outstanding accomplishments in their fields. These individuals could delay their military service until the age of 30—but K-pop idols weren’t originally included.
That changed with the introduction of the so-called “BTS Law” in December 2020. The law extended the eligibility for delayed enlistment to “artists with merit,” not just those in classical or traditional Korean music.
This legal change sparked some controversy, with parts of Korean society criticizing the government for granting such benefits to “just idols.” Still, thanks to BTS Military, pop artists are now officially recognized as artists too.
After all, it’s worth noting that in 2018, all seven BTS members received the Order of Cultural Merit from the South Korean government. So, it’s only fitting that they were granted this benefit.
BTS Military Enlistment Timeline
The BTS Military enlistment followed age order, with Jin, the oldest member, being the first to report for duty.
Jin enlisted on December 13, 2022, and was discharged on June 12, 2024. He was promoted to sergeant four months early due to his excellent military performance. That’s right, ARMY—Jin isn’t just the funny guy. Korean soldiers noted that less than 10% of recruits earn this kind of promotion.
“At first, it was challenging for me to run 3 kilometers in 15 minutes. However, I gradually got in shape by running every day. As a new recruit, I was always one of the first to finish. I think I was promoted to elite soldier because I built the endurance to complete a 3-kilometer run.”
Next up was J-Hope, who enlisted on April 18, 2023, and was discharged on October 17, 2024, where he was greeted by Jin with a huge bouquet of flowers. Did anyone else spend hours watching the gate of a Korean military base? 😊
J-Hope stood out as a training instructor, and we can only imagine what it must have been like for new recruits to be trained by Hobi! One of his trainees said:
“While other instructors scolded us, Hoseok-hyung was the only one who comforted and supported us.”
“I still believe these experiences are invaluable. The thoughts I had during this period became an inseparable part of me, nurturing and shaping who I am today,” J-Hope told Billboard after his discharge. “In the end, they influenced the stories I tell, the music I want to create, my choreography, and every aspect of my work, deepening my understanding of my own thoughts.”
Controversies Around BTS Military Enlistment
It wasn’t just the “BTS Law” that sparked controversy in South Korea. Allegations of supposed “privileges” for the members became a recurring topic. SUGA’s military enlistment was also surrounded by public debate from the very beginning.
BTS Military: SUGA’s Alternative Service
SUGA began his alternative military service on September 22, 2023. But why was it “alternative”?
He was deemed unfit for active duty after receiving a Grade 4 in his physical exam, due to a shoulder injury from a car accident in 2012, a year before BTS debuted. This was the same injury that caused him deep pain for ten years, until he was finally able to undergo surgery during the pandemic-induced break.
Of course, some antis, haters, and idle critics felt the need to attack a BTS member, questioning his classification as unfit. This sparked debate in the media and online for quite some time—until it became abundantly clear that he truly wasn’t physically capable of conventional service. Anyone with a shred of common sense knows that even after surgery, injuries leave lasting damage, and there’s no reason to put someone at risk because of that.
So, SUGA continued serving (quietly, as we know) in administrative and social roles. Due to his classification, his military service lasted longer than that of the other members: instead of 18 months, he served 21 months, making him the last to be discharged on June 21, 2025 (in South Korea).
So much for being “super privileged”! 🙃
RM and V: Military Service in Gangwon Province
RM and V began their military service on December 11, 2023. Tae and Nam served in Gangwon Province and were discharged on June 10, 2025. Both were promoted to sergeants. RM served in the 15th Division in Hwacheon, while V was stationed at the Ssangyong unit in Chuncheon.
While the fact that RM and V served at the same base didn’t cause much buzz, the same can’t be said for Jungkook and Jimin, who served together at another base under what’s called the buddy system. But what does that mean?
Jungkook and Jimin: The Controversy Around the Buddy System
Unlike RM and V, who were at the same base but in different units, Jimin and Jungkook requested a special benefit to serve together. That’s why they were sent to the same basic training center and lived in the same division. From their Weverse interactions and post-discharge live, it was clear they were side by side the entire time—which is wonderful—but antis, haters, and especially opposing shippers fueled waves of hate, especially against Jimin, suggesting a romantic relationship between the two during their time in the military.
Deep breaths, ARMY…
First of all, opting for the buddy system is a right available to any Korean citizen who wishes to do their military service alongside a friend or family member. It was simply a matter of personal choice and logistical convenience.
Secondly, they’re members of the most famous group on the planet. Naturally, all eyes at that military unit were on them. Their behavior was under constant observation, 24/7. And from what we’ve seen, the discharged soldiers haven’t held back on their praise for both.
In short…
JK and Jimin, both holding the rank of sergeant, were discharged on June 11, just one day after RM and V, and just days before SUGA’s release.
BTS Military Life: A Glimpse Into Their Daily Routine
Although Jin and J-Hope seemed to handle military service smoothly—and the other members appear to be doing well too—military service is no joke. The conditions can be tough and demanding, but that’s simply part of what military life entails.
We know ARMY tends to worry every time news breaks that one of the members went through intense training, but let’s be clear: they are well protected—not because they’re idols from the biggest K-pop group, but because no army wants its recruits to get injured. It’s true that Tae once shared he injured his ribs during a training session, but we can be confident he was well cared for.
We don’t have detailed information about the BTS members’ daily routines in the military—most of what happens on base is kept under strict confidentiality—but it’s almost certain they slept in shared dorms, ate meals with fellow soldiers, and participated in group activities—meaning zero privacy and only the bare essentials for comfort. Schedules are rigid and definitely far from what they were used to as global artists—but they adapted.
Meals are the same for everyone, and the fandom diligently shared the daily menus, which looked quite hearty, by the way 😊.
It’s nothing like a summer camp, but also far from a torture camp—so we need to stay calm and trust that everything is okay.
They couldn’t use their phones whenever they wanted, so the posts we saw from Nam, Tae, JK, and Jimin were most likely shared during designated free time, when communication with the outside world is allowed.
Military Leaves That Gave Us Iconic Moments
The leaves they had—just like any other Korean citizen—brought us some unforgettable moments, like JK’s legendary live, viral dance videos (both his and Tae’s), and of course, Tae’s photos and Nam’s posts, filled with clips from his life with fellow recruits and his thoughtful writings (oh, those texts… 🥹).
Let’s not forget the playlists from JK and Nam, which lead swarms of listeners to artists we might never have discovered otherwise. And some of their Weverse interactions gifted us with both emotion and humor. They’ve basically turned the Weverse chat into their own little WhatsApp group—for our joy and entertainment.
Of course, this doesn’t apply to Yoongi, as we all know. He told us: “See you in 2025.” The fact that we, as ARMY, have been on standby since the very first minute of January 2025—well, that was entirely our choice 😊.
Do we miss him? So much! But anyone who’s been in the fandom for a while knows that SUGA is one of a kind—and that’s exactly why we love and respect him so deeply.
He has now completed his military service, but unlike the other members, there was no official send-off—a result of the type of service he performed, as we explained earlier. True to his nature, he chose not to go live, instead leaving a quiet message on Weverse.
Still, he promised to bring us updates soon. And of course, we’ll be right here, waiting for him.
That Said… Let’s Speculate: What’s Coming Next?
The Future of BTS After Military Service
With the BTS Military chapter now complete in 2025, fans are eagerly waiting for the group’s return. Expectations include:
• The release of new albums and singles shortly after discharge.
• A world tour announcement to reconnect with their global fanbase.
• Appearances at events and award shows to mark their comeback.
• The continuation of solo projects that began before enlistment.
The BTS Comeback: An Absolute Certainty
The comeback has never really been up for debate. Ever since BTS announced their hiatus during FESTA 2022, we’ve known: they’re coming back. And if anyone still had doubts, just rewatch the final “Hope on the Stage” concert, where j-hope boldly declared: “We are back!”
This comeback is happening—and it’s set to be the biggest in K-pop history, and quite possibly one of the greatest in the history of pop music.
Even Hybe’s headquarters lit up the phrase “WE ARE BACK” on its facade the night before the last members were discharged. So much emotion, ARMY!
▶️ Watch Hybe’s building during Tae, Nam, Jimin, and JK’s discharge week—right before SUGA’s return too:
New BTS Content and Releases in 2025
On March 5, Hybe announced the release of the first exclusive group content in over two years.
- “BTS 7 Moments” officially dropped on April 1, featuring a video and photo compilation of BTS’s best moments between 2022 and 2023.
- The new BTS game, “RUN BTS POLY HIGHLIGHT PACKAGE,” was released on April 23.
The Impact of the BTS Military Pause on the Industry and South Korea’s Economy
The BTS hiatus had a significant impact—not just on music, but on South Korea’s economy itself. It’s no surprise that Hybe’s stock has fluctuated in sync with their announcements, dropping when enlistments were confirmed and rising sharply with each new update about their return.
We don’t know exactly what’s coming next—but one thing is certain: it will be big, meaningful, unforgettable.
What Can We Expect from BTS in 2025?
Can you believe we’re about to witness history being made—and told—by seven artists who, for us ARMY, are far more than just exceptional musicians?
To begin with, we’re living FESTA 2025, with our hosts Jin and j-hope leading the release of new content.
Watch “HoSEOKJin 12:00 (Twelve O’Clock)” from FESTA 2025:
Beyond that, we had a real celebration during j-hope’s second-to-last show in Goyang, South Korea, on June 14, where Jin and Jungkook joined him on stage, and RM, V, Jimin, and SUGA were in the audience cheering him on.
Yes, SUGA is real — not a collective delusion — and he was there, bundled up but unmistakable, dancing and waving his Army Bomb with joy 😊.
Watch highlights of our beloved OT7 at Hobi’s show:
A New Album? Absolutely.
j-hope has already talked about it in interviews, RM mentioned it in a live—it’s only a matter of time.
But in what format and with what kind of promotion? That remains to be seen. Theories abound, because let’s face it: we are ARMY, and BTS trained us well to develop endless theories about absolutely everything 😊.
Right now, social media is buzzing with talk of a possible revival of the HYYH era (“The Most Beautiful Moment in Life”), which carried the concept: “this is the most beautiful moment of our lives.” This also links to the “Dream” concept—possibly teased at the end of the “ON” music video, where the phrase “No more dream” is replaced by “Dream.”
New World Tour: When Will It Happen?
It’s very likely that many new songs are already at least conceptualized. While they couldn’t produce new content during military service, they are artists—so ideas may already be in circulation among Hybe’s producers. So thinking we’ll get a new album in 2025? Not a delusion—just a hopeful wait.
As for the much-speculated new world tour, that’s a different beast. A tour involves a massive structure and logistical complexity, so it’s likely we won’t see concerts until sometime in 2026.
The Return of BTS Shows
Will the shows we love — Run BTS, In the Soop, Bon Voyage — make a return? There’s no official word yet. Run Jin has officially ended, especially now that Jin is focused on his own tour, the #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR, set to start on June 28 (yes, we’ll have a full article on that here soon!).
Jin is also establishing himself as a TV personality, both with his own show and appearances on platforms like Netflix.
👉 Read the article on Jin’s show on Netflix.
The Future of Solo Projects
It’s entirely possible that solo activities may be paused for a while—because, first and foremost, there is BTS.
Even during the hiatus, all members continued to introduce themselves as “J-Hope of BTS,” “Jin of BTS,” “Jungkook of BTS,” and so on. There’s no such thing as a solo artist fully detached from BTS—simple as that.
With the group’s energy now centered on the long-awaited comeback, it’s only natural that solo careers may take a backseat for a while. And that’s perfectly okay.
Because, in the end, what truly moves us is seeing them together again—as BTS.
FAQ – Common Questions About BTS Military Service
The BTS Military period was one of the most challenging phases for any fan: the group’s pause due to mandatory military service in South Korea. From Jin’s enlistment to the final discharges, many questions have emerged about how this process works, the rules of the Korean army, and the impact on BTS’s career.
To help, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions:
Which BTS members are in the military?
All members have already completed their mandatory military service.
What day does BTS leave the military?
All members have already completed their service.
What is the rank of BTS members?
All of them were promoted to sergeant.
How long do Koreans serve in the military?
Between 18 and 21 months.
Why didn’t SUGA go to the military?
He did. SUGA is serving in alternative military service due to a shoulder injury, which qualified him as unfit for combat roles. He was therefore assigned to administrative or social duties—he is still serving in the military, just in a different unit.
Where is SUGA serving
The exact location hasn’t been revealed. Koreans assigned to alternative service typically work at government agencies, schools, parks, elderly care centers, or hospitals. What we know is that he’s allowed to return home at night.
BTS Military Return: The Countdown Has Begun!
And just like that, we’re officially in countdown mode. The military service that haunted us is over—finally. All 7 are back, bursting with energy, ready to reunite with a bulletproof ARMY.
Tell us: What was your most memorable BTS moment during this break?
And stay tuned here on the blog for more updates on the end of their military chapter and the epic comeback to come!
