K-pop megastars RM, V released from army, promise BTS reunion
By Ju-min Park and Jack Kim
SEOUL (Reuters) -K-pop supergroup BTS members RM and V were discharged from the South Korean military on Tuesday after mandatory service, as fans were counting down to the band's comeback with more members finishing their national 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, which 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.
Shares in HYBE rose 2.3% as of 0211 GMT, hitting their highest point in more than three years.
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.
Groupies from around the world flew in to South Korea to celebrate the return of their "life-changing" stars.
"It is just absolutely joyful. That is now four out, two again tomorrow and then Suga. Then we have OT7, we have seven kings back with us," said Philip Darbyshire, a 72-year-old Australian fan, referring to the band's seven members.
(Reporting by Jack Kim and Ju-min Park; Additional reporting by Minwoo Park; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Sonali Paul)
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