K-pop's BTS members set for military service release
[SEOUL] The world's most popular boy band are heading for a reunion: K-pop megastars RM and V from BTS will be released on Tuesday from 18 months of South Korean military service, prompting a fan frenzy.
The seven members of BTS, South Korea's most lucrative musical act, have been on a self-described 'hiatus' since 2022 while they separately undertake the mandatory service, required of all South Korean men under 30 due to tensions with the nuclear-armed North.
The two band members who enlisted first were released last year, and this week four more will follow, plus the last member - SUGA who has been working as a social service agent as alternative non-active duty service - later this month.
Band leader RM - recently named 'Favourite K-pop Artist' at the American Music Awards - will be released on Tuesday, alongside singer V.
Outside the military base in Chuncheon where V will be released, fans hung colourful banners to welcome the 29-year-old back to civilian life.
'Taehyung, let's never be apart again,' one said, referring to V's real name, Kim Tae Hyung. 'I'll follow only you, Taehyung. We are each other's strength,' said another, according to footage on local media.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle
Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself.
Sign Up
Sign Up
HYBE, the band's agency, urged fans not to go to the discharge location on site, citing safety concerns.
'With the safety of both artists and fans in mind, we strongly urge fans not to go to the location in person,' the agency wrote on Weverse, its superfan platform.
Reunion tour?
All the band members signed new contracts with HYBE in 2023, and once SUGA is released on June 21, analysts expect reunion activities.
This will work positively for the K-pop industry as a whole - and especially for HYBE.
'In the case of HYBE share prices, the current market consensus is seen as not fully reflecting BTS's impact,' Lim Soo-jin, an analyst at Daishin Securities, told AFP.
Despite an ongoing police investigation into the company chairman for suspected insider trading and a recent raid by authorities, analysts say HYBE's shares are expected to remain stable.
'We see there's a high possibility of an upward revision in earnings forecasts, which could in turn drive the stock price higher,' Lim said.
HYBE's shares have seen a sharp increase, rising by 10 per cent over the past week through June 9.
Prior to beginning their mandatory military service, the mega boy band generated more than 5.5 trillion won (S$5.14 billion) in yearly economic impact, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute.
That accounts for roughly 0.2 per cent of South Korea's total GDP, according to official data.
HYBE has hinted at a BTS comeback this year, but has also said the members 'need time for reflection and preparation'.
'Normally, the process goes from song production to album release, then a tour,' Lee Jae Sang, CEO of HYBE, told a shareholders' meeting in March.
'But since BTS have already become global top-tier artists, we are continuing discussions about their vision and what's next,' Lee added.
Outside HYBE headquarters in Seoul, banners from fans read, 'Thank you for making even the waiting feel joyful.'
The building was wrapped with the slogan 'WE ARE BACK,' the official logo for the upcoming BTS FESTA - an event which marks the anniversary of the group's debut.
The annual event, set to take place on Friday, marks the group's 12th anniversary and is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans from around the world. AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
33 minutes ago
- CNA
BTS members RM, V discharged from South Korea military, looking forward to reunion
K-pop supergroup BTS members RM and V were discharged from the South Korean military on Tuesday (Jun 10) after mandatory service, as fans are counting down to the band's comeback with more members finishing their military duty later this month. Cheered by dozens of fans near the military base, the two members in their army uniforms saluted the crowd and said they will soon be returning to perform. "To all the ARMYs who have waited for us in the military, I want to say I am truly, truly grateful. Please wait just a little longer and we will return with a really cool performance," V said in front of fans and media. Known as ARMY, BTS has a global fan club with millions of loyal followers. Two other bandmates, Jin and J-Hope, were discharged from the military earlier and have been performing solo and appearing on variety shows. Jimin, Jung Kook and Suga are set to wrap their military service as late as Jun 21, media reports say. The globally recognised K-pop icon BTS has not released a group project since 2022 and its members are hoping for the reunion. 'After pursuing our own little ventures, we are now coming back together, and I love that for us,' J-Hope told a magazine in December. Entertainment group HYBE that manages BTS is planning a huge event called BTS FESTA this week for fans to celebrate the band's 12th anniversary. It is not clear whether the members will show up, but Jin attended last year. Holding a flower bouquet for their discharge from the army, RM said he wanted to perform the most.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
BTS members RM, V discharged from South Korea military, looking forward to reunion
BTS members V and RM, who have been discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service, pose for photographs during an event in Chuncheon, South Korea, June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji A fan writes a message after an event for BTS members V and RM, who have been discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service, in Chuncheon, South Korea, June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji Brazilian fans wait for BTS members V and RM, who are set to be officially discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service today, in Chuncheon, South Korea, June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-ji BTS members V and RM, arrive for an event after being discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service, in Chuncheon, South Korea, June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji BTS members V and RM, who have been discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service, pose for photographs during an event in Chuncheon, South Korea, June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji SEOUL - K-pop supergroup BTS members RM and V were discharged from the South Korean military on Tuesday after mandatory service, as fans are counting down to the band's comeback with more members finishing their military duty later this month. Cheered by dozens of fans near the military base, the two members in their army uniforms saluted the crowd and said they will soon be returning to perform. "To all the ARMYs who have waited for us in the military, I want to say I am truly, truly grateful. Please wait just a little longer and we will return with a really cool performance," V said in front of fans and media. Known as ARMY, BTS has a global fan club with millions of loyal followers. Two other bandmates, Jin and J-Hope, were discharged from the military earlier and have been performing solo and appearing on variety shows. Jimin, Jung Kook and Suga are set to wrap their military service as late as June 21, media reports say. The globally recognised K-pop icon BTS has not released a group project since 2022 and its members are hoping for the reunion. 'After pursuing our own little ventures, we are now coming back together, and I love that for us,' J-Hope told a magazine in December. Entertainment group HYBE that manages BTS is planning a huge event called BTS FESTA this week for fans to celebrate the band's 12th anniversary. It is not clear whether the members will show up, but Jin attended last year. Holding a flower bouquet for their discharge from the army, RM said he wanted to perform the most. "(Members) would feel the same, but stage performance, I want to perform the most. I'll work hard to make an album soon and come back to the stage," RM said, after playing the sax for the crowd. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Two of K-pop's BTS megastars released from military service
BTS members RM (left) and V have been discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service on June 10. PHOTO: REUTERS Two of K-pop's BTS megastars released from military service CHUNCHEON, South Korea - The world's most popular boy band are heading for a reunion: K-pop megastars RM and V from BTS were released on June 10 from 18 months of South Korean military service, prompting a fan frenzy. The seven members of BTS, South Korea's most lucrative musical act, have been on a self-described 'hiatus' since 2022 while they separately undertake the mandatory service, required of all South Korean men under 30 due to tensions with the nuclear-armed North. Hundreds of fans gathered near two army bases just outside of the capital Seoul where band leader RM – recently named 'Favorite K-pop Artist' at the American Music Awards – and singer V were released on June 10. They are two of four BTS members who will be released this week. Two more, who enlisted first, were discharged in 2024, and the final member Suga – who has been working as a social service agent for alternative non-active-duty service – will be released later this month. Hybe, the band's agency, urged fans not to go to the discharge location, citing safety concerns. 'With the safety of both artists and fans in mind, we strongly urge fans not to go to the location in person,' the agency wrote on Weverse, its superfan platform. Despite the warning, dozens of fans gathered outside V's military base, eagerly awaiting the return of their star. 'Honestly, I came here with such high expectations,' Ms Yang Ho-hee, 28, told AFP outside the base. Fans had hung colourful banners to welcome the 29-year-old back to civilian life. 'Taehyung, let's never be apart again,' one said, referring to V's real name, Kim Tae-hyung. 'I'll follow only you, Taehyung. We are each other's strength,' said another. Reunion tour? Near the bases, on a football field where the newly released BTS members are set to speak later, hundreds of fans from around the world gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols. 'Actually, it's mixed emotions. I feel like I'm crying already,' said Ms Arlene Mendoza, a fan from the Philippines. 'I've been traveling to Korea so many times, but this is actually the first time I'll see V.' In addition to the army releases, June 13 is so-called Festa – a celebration that marks the anniversary of the group's debut and typically draws thousands of global fans to Seoul. Ms Mendoza told AFP she plans to attend fellow member J-hope's concert on June 13, plus join other BTS Festa events. All the band members signed new contracts with Hybe in 2023, and once Suga is released June 21, analysts expect reunion activities. This should boost the K-pop industry as a whole – and especially Hybe. 'In the case of Hybe share prices, the current market consensus is seen as not fully reflecting BTS's impact,' Ms Lim Soo-jin, an analyst at Daishin Securities, told AFP. Despite an ongoing police investigation into the company chairman for suspected insider trading and a recent raid by authorities, analysts say Hybe's shares are expected to remain stable. 'We see there's a high possibility of an upward revision in earnings forecasts, which could in turn drive the stock price higher,' Ms Lim said. Hybe's shares have seen a sharp increase, rising by 10 per cent over the past week through June 9. GDP impact Prior to beginning their mandatory military service, the mega boy band generated more than 5.5 trillion won (S$5.2 billion) in yearly economic impact, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. That accounts for roughly 0.2 per cent of South Korea's total GDP, according to official data. Hybe has hinted at a BTS comeback this year, but has also said the members 'need time for reflection and preparation'. 'Normally, the process goes from song production to album release, then a tour,' Mr Lee Jae-sang, CEO of Hybe, told a shareholder meeting in March. 'But since BTS have already become global top-tier artists, we are continuing discussions about their vision and what's next,' Mr Lee added. Outside Hybe headquarters in Seoul, banners from fans read: 'Thank you for making even the waiting feel joyful.' The building was wrapped with the slogan 'WE ARE BACK', the official logo for the upcoming BTS Festa. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
