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BTS is back: what each member accomplished during (and after) military service
J-Hope (Jung Hoseok)
Above J-Hope's 'Hope on the Street Vol 1' debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200. (Photo: / Instagram)
J-Hope returned in October 2024 after exemplary service as an assistant drill instructor in the 36th Infantry Division, earning the prestigious Special Class (Elite) Warrior title.
But Hobi's true genius lay in his strategic content release— Hope on the Street Vol 1 dropped during his service, debuting at number 5 on the Billboard 200. The accompanying six-part docuseries offered a candid look at his dance roots, striking a chord with global fans.
His immediate post-discharge momentum continues with the Hope on the Stage world tour launching in February 2025, while the recent single 'Killin' It Girl' featuring GloRilla showcases his evolving artistic palette. RM (Kim Namjoon)
Above The leader of BTS premiered his documentary 'RM: Right People, Wrong Place' at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival. (Photo: / Instagram)
BTS's eloquent leader will be discharged on June 10, 2025, after serving in the 15th Infantry Division's military band, a role that merged his artistic identity with national service. His mid-service album Right Place, Wrong Perso n showcased RM's remarkable vulnerability, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard 200, with its alternative soundscape exploring themes of alienation and self-discovery.
His documentary RM: Right People, Wrong Plac e premiered at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival, while his performance of 'Spring Day' with military bandmates at the 2024 Family Love Concert became a standout moment, connecting his BTS legacy with his military service. V (Kim Taehyung)
Above V's jazz-influenced 'Layover' album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200. (Photo: / Instagram)
Perhaps the most intriguing service story belongs to V, who chose the elite Special Duty Team of ROK Military Police, an anti-terrorism unit requiring exceptional physical and mental fortitude. Graduating as an elite trainee while simultaneously releasing the jazz-influenced Layover album (which sold over 2.2 million copies and peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200) showcases his remarkable duality.
His digital single 'FRI(END)S', released in March 2024, became a cultural phenomenon, while the mysterious still-to-be-released Rêve project announced in January 2025 has fans speculating wildly. His choice of demanding military service while maintaining artistic output demonstrates the complexity of his identity: equally comfortable in combat training and creating soulful R&B. Jimin (Park Jimin)
Above Jimin is the first Korean solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with 'Like Crazy'. (Photo: / Instagram)
Jimin's historic achievement as the first Korean solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with 'Like Crazy' occurred just before his December 2023 enlistment alongside Jungkook via the companion soldiers system.
His strategic dual-album approach— Face and Muse —provided substantial content for fans throughout his service. 'Who' from Muse spent an unprecedented 33 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, setting new K-pop records. His pre-recorded Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon performance, aired during his military service, shows how idols can maximise content impact.
In January 2025, Jimin penned a heartfelt Weverse letter sharing his military experiences and candid thoughts about returning to performing. Jungkook (Jeon Jungkook)
Above The 'Jung Kook: I Am Still The Original' documentary series featured intimate behind-the-scenes content. (Photo: / Instagram)
The golden maknae's service as a military cook alongside Jimin has provided endless content, with his 'I'm cooking well' Weverse updates delighting fans worldwide. His pre-enlistment Golden album strategy was masterful—the all-English pop record with 'Seven' hitting number 1 on Billboard Hot 100 established him as a global solo artist.
His Jung Kook: I Am Still The Original documentary series featured intimate behind-the-scenes content, while his fan song 'Never Let Go', released during service, maintained that crucial connection with fans. His February 2025 letter expressing constant thoughts about ARMY demonstrates how military service, rather than creating distance, can deepen artist-fan relationships. Suga (Min Yoongi)
Above 'Suga | Agust D D-Day The Movie' showcased the artistic depth of Suga's performances. (Photo: / Instagram)
Suga, the final BTS member to return, will complete his alternative service as a social service agent on June 21, 2025. His strategic pre-enlistment content release was particularly savvy: Suga's album D-Day peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, while his highly successful world tour spanned 28 shows, from New York City to Seoul.
The Agust D persona reached full cinematic glory with Suga | Agust D D-Day The Movie , which showcased the artistic depth of his performances. Meanwhile, his Suchwita talk show, with pre-recorded episodes maintaining his presence, demonstrates how K-pop idols can sustain relationships with fans even during physical absence.
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