#SHOWBIZ: Jimin, Jungkook: Everyone looked at us with pitiful eyes

New Straits Times

a day ago

SEOUL: In a Weverse livestream yesterday (June 11), K-pop sensation BTS's Jimin and Jungkook candidly and humorously recounted their military experiences, having been discharged that same day.
The duo had enlisted together in the 5th Infantry Division Artillery Brigade in December 2023.
Jimin, 29, confessed his pre-enlistment anxieties: "I was a mess, super stressed about going into boot camp. Jungkook seemed okay, but I struggled every night after dinner just trying to get through it. He gave me so much strength."
He then revealed a shift in their roles: "However, once we got our unit assignments, the roles were reversed — Jungkook started having a hard time every day."
According to The Korea Herald, Jungkook, 27, served as a cook, while Jimin was an artilleryman.
Jimin expressed surprise at his front-line assignment.
"I didn't think I'd be in the artillery unit," he admitted.
"The day we got transferred, the cold wave started. It was probably -20 degrees Celsius and one of the seniors said it was the second coldest winter in their 20-year career. I was like, 'Why is this happening to us?'"
He remarked, "It's a place where you can't help but swear all the time."
Jimin further elaborated on their initial rationale for enlisting together: "I enlisted with Jungkook because I thought it'd be better with him — but how were we supposed to know we'd end up at the front line? Everyone looked at us with pitiful eyes that said, 'Why did you come here?' At the time, we didn't have the strength."
His military service appears to have significantly deepened his appreciation for soldiers.
Earlier on the day of his discharge, Jimin addressed fans and reporters, stating, "It was my first time in the military, and honestly, it wasn't that easy. If you ever see soldiers passing by, I'd be very grateful if you could offer them kind words."
During the livestream, Jimin and Jungkook also shared training camp anecdotes, recalling how they "clung to each other" on their first day.
"The two of us kept talking. We were just stuck together and no one else was saying a word, but we were the only ones laughing and the rest of them were serious," they recounted.
Jimin added, "When the assistant instructor came, we got really close to him. The platoon commander was great too — he's two years older than me. He treated me as if we were real brothers and he felt like a father to me by the time I was discharged."
Jimin then shared a humorous bedtime incident: "When I was sleeping, I put my arms up by my head. Every time I fell asleep, my dreams had this construction noise that woke me up."
He continued, "My arm was so numb that I woke up with a start — and then I saw Jungkook's face, sound asleep on my arm."
Jungkook laughed and playfully admitted guilt, joking, "I guess I wanted to lean on you."
Jungkook also shared a photo strip they took together at a BTS Festa booth, celebrating the completion of their duties.
Two days prior, fellow bandmates RM and V were also discharged from the military, holding their own Weverse live stream.
Jin and J-Hope were the first to complete their service in 2024 and have since been pursuing solo careers. Suga is the last member scheduled for discharge, with his service concluding on June 21.