BTS is entering the final countdown to becoming a fully discharged group.
RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are all set to be discharged this week. RM and V will complete their service on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on June 11. All four enlisted together in December 2023. RM served in the 15th Infantry Division military band, V in the 2nd Corps Special Duty Team, and both Jimin and Jungkook served in the 5th Infantry Division. With SUGA, currently serving as a social service agent, set for discharge on June 21, BTS’s “military hiatus” is coming to a complete end.
Jin, the eldest member, who enlisted first in December 2022, was discharged in June 2023 and actively filled the group’s absence for a year. J-Hope, who enlisted in March 2023, returned last October and resumed his solo career. Though the group once stirred nationwide debate over military exemptions, BTS has fulfilled their duties with integrity, returning as true “bulletproof” artists.
Fans around the world are excited about the members’ return, but agency BigHit Music has requested that fans refrain from visiting discharge sites in person. In a notice posted via Weverse on June 7, the agency stated there would be no official events, adding: “Military bases are crowded on discharge days, posing safety concerns due to limited space.”
The members plan to connect with fans through live broadcasts on their respective discharge days. With back-to-back discharges, ARMY is expected to have a busy week. This year’s BTS FESTA, the annual celebration of their June 13 debut, feels extra special—it marks their 12th anniversary, and for the first time since enlistments began, all members (except SUGA) will celebrate as civilians.
The highlight of the offline FESTA event takes place June 13–14 at KINTEX in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang. Exhibitions across 20 booths will showcase BTS’s 12-year journey, including a voice zone, a trophy area celebrating BTS and ARMY’s achievements, and displays of personal items from the members.
Separately, J-Hope’s Hope on the Stage finale concert will be held on the same dates at Goyang Sports Complex. As the first solo stadium concert in Korea by a BTS member, the show symbolizes both the peak of his solo efforts and the dawn of a new chapter for the group. Recently discharged members are expected to attend.
HYBE Stock Rises Amid BTS Return—Calls for Musical Recalibration
BTS’s global power remains strong. Jin’s second mini-album Jin’s “The Astronaut” and its title track Don’t Say You Love Me ranked No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 90 on the Hot 100, respectively. RM won “Favorite K-Pop Artist” at the American Music Awards in May for his 2023 solo album Right Place, Wrong Person.
Their post-military plans are already drawing high expectations. Jin released his solo album just four months after discharge; J-Hope followed with a single five months after his return. This timeline raises hope that new BTS group music could be released later this year, though they are expected to take time to recalibrate their musical identity before rushing into a comeback.
Pop culture critic Kim Heon-sik said, “BTS strengthened their synergy even during their military hiatus, and their fandom remains robust. After a brief reorganization period, they’ll likely return as a full unit.”
HYBE stock has been rallying despite recent controversy over founder Bang Si Hyuk’s alleged involvement in fraudulent trading during the company’s IPO preparations. As of market close on June 5, HYBE’s share price stood at 284,500 KRW, nearing its 1-year high of 292,500 KRW.
While investors and the music industry remain optimistic, some say BTS must re-evaluate its musical direction. A K-pop insider commented, “BTS has evolved into a global pop act, but in doing so, they’ve lost much of the raw, hip-hop energy that defined their early years. While their solo works retain strong messages, a reset of the group’s musical identity may be needed for long-term success.”
SHARE
