BTS' V replies to fan's countdown post: ‘You waited… now what?'; from solo concerts to FESTA and art exhibits, here's what's next for the K-pop stars
V, aka Kim Taehyung, enlisted in the military alongside group leader RM and joined the counter-terrorism unit (SDT), keeping a low profile on social media since. Now, just days away from his return, he reacted to a screenshot of his military countdown app showing 'Sergeant Elio D-9.' Fans asked him what the deal was with the name Elio and the photo where he's feeding grass to a sheep. Taehyung explained, 'It's my English name from when I went to an English fairy tale school,' and joked, 'Yes, I even bought grass.' Asked if he planned to meet fans like Jin and J-Hope, he said, 'Of course, I need to see ARMY as soon as possible.' Then added, 'You waited, so what do you want now? Tell me everything.'
Also read: 'When BTS members got shares…': Fired BIGHIT director's explosive post reveals 'evil' HYBE let 'alcoholics' devour shareholders' stocks
Here's the military timeline: RM and V will finish their service on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on June 11. They will greet fans from Chuncheon and Yeoncheon, respectively. Suga, who is serving in a social service role as an alternative to active duty, will be discharged on June 21. The mandatory military enlistment of the group started back in December 2022 with Jin, who, along with J-Hope, already completed their service last year and has resumed solo activities.
After Suga and J-Hope, the oldest member of the group, Jin his first solo fan concerts called '#Runseokjin_EP.Tour'. The Epiphany crooner made his comeback with the second full-length album Echo in April 2025. The concert is an extension of his solo variety show 'Run Seokjin'. After his Seoul concerts, Jin will hit the road with 18 shows across nine cities worldwide.
J-Hope is wrapping up his global world tour, where he ruled sold-out stadiums with his latest solo singles. His final encore concert, 'Hope on the Stage Final,' is set for June 13-14 in Osaka. During the concert, J-Hope will also debut a new digital single, 'Killin' It Girl (feat.. GloRilla).' 'We're preparing thoroughly so that J-Hope's signature explosive energy and immersive performance can be felt to the fullest,' BigHit said earlier.
'Given how both J-Hope and Jin have showcased more mature versions of themselves, it's likely that BTS' new music will reflect that evolution. The members' individual identities will likely stand out even more in the group's next chapter,' Grace Kao, a sociology professor and expert on K-pop from Yale, told Korea Herald.
Also read: BTS' RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook to greet fans at designated locations post-discharge; BIGHIT says, 'Refrain from visiting'
BTS FESTA is set for June 13-14 at Kintex, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. For those not in the know, it's the annual bash marking BTS's debut anniversary every June. This year, BTS hits 12. The festival promises to be bigger than ever, with over 20 exhibition booths and a massive 'Army Bomb' light show. While surprise appearances by the members aren't confirmed yet, fans can expect a 'Voice Zone' featuring recorded messages, a 'Trophy Zone' showcasing BTS's awards, and a 'BTS Locker' displaying personal items from the group.
Apart from FESTA and solo tours, the agency is also set to debut Presence in Absence: Chapter 2, BTS Art. It will open in Seoul's Seongdong District and run until June 29, featuring works by 20 artists from 13 countries. Organisers say it's the largest independent BTS fan art exhibition ever, both in terms of international participation and the number of artists. The exhibition will focus on the individual personalities of each BTS member.
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