BTS members are heading for South Korean military service, fans vow to wait

FILE PHOTO: BTS pose on the red carpet as they attend the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 3, 2022. REUTERS/Maria Alejandra Cardona/FILE PHOTO

The remaining four members of K-pop supergroup BTS will begin their 18-month military service in South Korea this week, joining three others already serving, with fans pledging to wait until 2025 for them to perform as a group again.

A group of fans braved rainy weather on Monday to bid a temporary farewell to the seven-member band’s leader, RM, and vocalist V in front of their boot camp in the central city of Nonsan.

“I think I’ll be fine except for one thing, that I won’t be able to make happy memories with you for a while, which is the hardest part,” V wrote on fan platform Weverse on Monday, wishing fans well and happiness.

RM also wrote that he might be lonely at times, but that the 18 months would be a chance to get new inspiration and learn new things.

Chezlyn Petersen and Jade Kelly of South Africa share a moment at a BTS-themed cafe in Seoul, South Korea, December 11, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

The duo were accompanied by other members of the band, including Jimin and Jung Kook who will start their military service on Tuesday, and the three others who were given a day off from military duty, the Yonhap news agency said.

All able-bodied South Korean men aged 18-28 must serve in the military for about two years, as part of efforts to guard against nuclear-armed North Korea.

Known as ARMY, BTS’ global fan base of millions of loyal followers has helped the band support social causes. In 2020, supporters raised more than $1 million for the Black Lives Matter movement in just 25 hours.

Some ARMY fans gathered at a cafe in a Tokyo district known as Korea Town and vowed to wait for their return.

“I feel sad but I think they’ll mature more going into the army and come back looking cool so I’m looking forward and want to wait for them,” said Ayami Ito, 22, a nursing care worker.

In Seoul, supporters also expressed their sadness. “It was raining today, and I was a bit depressed,” Kim Yong-sun who runs a BTS-themed cafe near the band’s agency building.

“ARMY fans came to the cafe and cheered me up. Talking about the members and listening to music, I feel now much better,” said Kim, who was wearing a purple cap and hoodie, BTS’ signature colour.

Since announcing a break from group projects in June 2022, BTS members have pursued solo activities before starting military service.

Jin, 30, the oldest member, joined the army last December, followed by j-hope in April and Suga in August.

BTS’ global success has triggered debate over whether K-pop artists should be allowed to serve for a shorter term, a perk granted to Olympics and Asian Games medallists and some classical musicians with international achievements.