AP PHOTOS: BTS stars Jimin and Jung Kook discharged from military service
YEONCHEON, South Korea (AP) — Hundreds of fans gathered Wednesday to catch a glimpse of K-pop superstars Jimin and Jung Kook, the latest and final members of BTS to be discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service.
Supporters traveled from around the world to the public sports ground where the meet-and-greet took place. Color-wrapped buses bearing BTS members' faces lined the streets while red and yellow balloons floated above and a decorated food truck provided free coffee and water, adding to the festive atmosphere.
A day earlier, RM and V each saluted upon their release in Chuncheon City as about 200 fans, some of whom traveled from Mexico, Turkey and Brazil, cheered.
Jin, the oldest member of the K-pop supergroup, was discharged from the army in June 2024. J-Hope was discharged in October.
The seventh member, Suga, is fulfilling his duty as a social service agent, an alternative to military service.
The seven BTS members plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025.
Anaesi, a fan from Portugal, displayed a colorful tattoo featuring a golden shield emblazoned with 'ARMY,' along with BTS members' names in Korean.
She said the group 'saved' her from depression. 'So for me BTS is my angel,' she said.
___
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Who will perform at Trump's birthday military parade? A list of who's played for him before
Who will perform at Trump's birthday military parade? A list of who's played for him before Show Caption Hide Caption Armored tanks arrive in DC for Trump's military birthday parade As Washington, D.C. prepares for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, armored tanks have begun to arrive ahead of Saturday's celebration. The U.S. Army's 250th anniversary celebration will occur on June 14th (also Donald Trump's 79th birthday) on the National Mall. The event will feature vendors, kid zones, meet-and-greets, and musical performances. Performers include the U.S. Army Drill Team, U.S. Army Band, DJ Nyla Symone, Scotty Hasting, and Noah Hicks. Washington, D.C., will be the stage for thousands of soldiers, military equipment and musical performances this weekend for the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary celebration. The festivities will take place along the National Mall on June 14, which also happens to be Donald Trump's 79th birthday. Trump's push for a military parade started back in his first term, though the idea has been controversial since its conception. But the planned festivities include more than a parade, as the Army event website boasts vendors, kid zones and meet-and-greets with "Army soldiers, NFL players, influencers and celebrities." Plus, there will be live music. As with celebrity endorsements, performers at Trump's events and ceremonies have been a point of contention. So, who will perform at the Army birthday parade? More: Donald Trump is front and center for Army's big DC birthday parade Who is performing at the June 14 Army birthday celebration? Among the military demonstrations and equipment displays, visitors will enjoy live music at the Army birthday celebrations. Here is the lineup: U.S. Army Drill Team U.S. Army Band: Latin Music Ensemble U.S. Army Band: Downrange DJ Nyla Symone Scotty Hasting, a former Army infantryman who was wounded in Afghanistan Noah Hicks, a country singer from Nashville Who has performed at other Trump rallies, ceremonies, events? At the 2025 inauguration, country star Carrie Underwood performed "America the Beautiful." Lee Greenwood has appeared at several of Trump's events, including both inaugurations' ancillary events. Kid Rock appeared at the Republican National Convention in July 2024, and also at the most recent inauguration events along with Billy Ray Cyrus. At Trump's 2016 swearing-in, Jackie Evancho, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Missouri State University Chorale and the United States Marine Band performed. Toby Keith performed at the welcome celebration. Contributing: George Petras, Janet Loehrke, Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Everything you need to know about attending the Army's 250th birthday celebration
On June 14, 1775, the Continental Army was formed to fight for American independence. After the successful revolution, the Continental Army became the United States Army and has continued to serve the nation in its mission with the same motto: 'This We'll Defend.' To celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, as well as the service and sacrifice of its soldiers, a celebration will be held in Washington, D.C. on June 14, 2025. At 8:15 a.m., a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the anniversary. On the National Mall, the Fitness Competition will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude with awards presented by 12:30 p.m. During the Fitness Competition, the Army Birthday Festival, located near the Washington Monument on the National Mall, will open at 11:00 a.m. The festival is free and open to the public, but online registration will enable attendees to proceed through security more quickly. Security gates will be located at 7th Street. Visitors are encouraged to use the Metro, street parking, or public parking garages. The north entrance of the Smithsonian Metro Station will be closed. In front of the Smithsonian Castle, Army equipment and interactive exhibits will be on display. Visitors will be able to check out some of the latest Army tech, including night vision goggles, drones, and the Next Generation Squad Weapon. The Army also plans to showcase the new MV-75 tiltrotor aircraft, which is slated to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk. A total of 56 booths will be at the festival, where attendees can receive free giveaways and meet soldiers. On the east end of the festival will be the NFL Kids Zone. This will feature climbing walls, face painting, photo booths, and the opportunity to meet NFL players. Food trucks will also be located to the east. The festival will end at 6:00 p.m. ahead of the parade. At 6:30 p.m., the Army's 250th Birthday Parade along Constitution Avenue NW will begin on 23rd Street NW. It will be easiest for visitors to walk from the festival to the parade viewing area. Featured in the parade will be Army mainstays like the M1A2 Abrams tank and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, along with newer vehicles like the Infantry Squad Vehicle. The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter and the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter will also participate in the parade. The parade concludes at 7:30 p.m., and the concert at the Ellipse will begin soon after. Fireworks start at 9:45 p.m. to end the Army's 250th birthday event. We Are The Mighty is a celebration of military service, with a mission to entertain, inform, and inspire those who serve and those who support them. We are made by and for current service members, veterans, spouses, family members, and civilians who want to be part of this community. Keep up with the best in military culture and entertainment: subscribe to the We Are The Mighty newsletter. 'Day of the Jackal' author Frederick Forsyth dies at age 86 5 obvious fixes for the military's weight problem The Border Patrol was actually founded to stop illegal Chinese immigration — from Mexico
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
When is Trump's military parade? What to know ahead of June 14
The streets of central D.C. are soon to be filled with thousands of soldiers, massive tanks and artillery, and the cacophonic rumble of Vintage warplanes and sleek Blackhawks flying overhead. That's because the U.S. Army is marking its 250th anniversary with a pomp-filled procession through the streets of the nation's capital Saturday, June 14, showcasing military might in a display with few, if any, precedents. The date also coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The parade, which will feature Army equipment, flyovers, musical performances and thousands of soldiers in uniforms from the past and the present, caps off a week of programming designed to celebrate the country's military might. Trump posted a short video address about the parade to Truth Social on Friday, June 6, inviting Americans to what he called an "unforgettable" celebration, "one like you've never seen before." "For two and a half centuries, the men and women of America's Army have dominated our enemies and protected our freedom at home," he said in the video. "This parade salutes our soldiers' remarkable strength and unbeatable spirit. You won't want to miss it. Just don't miss this one. It's going to be good." Here's what to know about the parade and day-long celebration in Washington, D.C. The military parade is slated for Saturday, June 14, in the heart of Washington, D.C., spanning six blocks and bisecting the National Mall. Organizers say the procession begins at 6:30 p.m. and associated events are set to take place throughout the day at the Army Birthday Festival starting at 11 a.m. ET. Members of the public can visit, where there will be military demonstrations, equipment displays and live music throughout the day, Army event organizers say Visitors can expect kid zones, more than 50 vendors and experience booths and meet-and-greets with "Army soldiers, NFL players, influencers and celebrities," according to the U.S. Army event page. Those feeling adventurous can show up early and take part in the Army's fitness competition, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. There will be several musical acts throughout the June 14 celebration, including country singer Scotty Hasting, a former Army infantryman who was wounded in Afghanistan, country singer Noah Hicks of Nashville and DJ Nyla Symone. The Army's birthday parade will cross in front of Trump's viewing stand on Constitution Avenue, just south of the White House, around sundown. The president is also expected to attend an enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony after the parade. A parachute demonstration by the Golden Knights and a fireworks display and evening concert will conclude the festivities. What to expect: Country singers and parade to celebrate Army – and (unofficially) Trump's birthday The festival is between 14th Street SW and the 12th Street Expressway on the lawn between Madison Drive NW and Jefferson Drive SW, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. It is next to the Smithsonian Metro Station NW entrance, which will be closed, organizers say, though the Smithsonian Metro Station SW entrance will be open. Information is also available on the Army's event website, Though the parade is on the same day as the president's 79th birthday, event organizers and administration officials say it is solely to celebrate the U.S. Army. The administration has insisted that the Army's anniversary and Trump's birthday are a coincidence and that the parade is justified to honor soldiers' sacrifice. Plans for the June 14 parade began in earnest about a month ago. Yet as focus squares in on the U.S. Army's 250 years of existence, other branches are notably left out. The Navy, which also celebrates its 250th anniversary this year in October, has no plans for a similar parade, a spokesperson told USA TODAY. Neither does the Marine Corps, for its 250th in November. Inside the military parade: Tanks, cannons and soldiers sleeping in DC offices Tickets for the parade are limited, but those interested in attending the parade on June 14 can RSVP here. Prospective attendees will be asked to provide their full name, phone number, email, state and zip code. The parade will take place along Constitution Avenue NW, starting on Constitution Avenue NW and 23rd Street and ending on 15th Street alongside the National Mall, near the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Graphic of Parade Route: See where the procession will go through central DC Events from the 250th birthday celebration, including the parade, will be livestreamed on all U.S. Army social media platforms. Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Tom Vanden Brook Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about Trump's military parade: Date, time, route
