KPop group BTS members RM and V have officially commenced their mandatory military service, with the final two members, Jimin and Jungkook, expected to enlist this week, their management company announced on Monday.

Currently, Jin, J-Hope, and Suga are fulfilling their duties. Suga is meeting his obligations as a social service agent, while Jin and J-Hope are serving in the army.

Before their enlistment, RM, also known as Kim Nam-joon, the leader of BTS, and V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung, gave farewell messages on social media to their loyal fan base.

“I’ve been so happy to have been a part of BTS for the past 10 years. Eighteen months can feel both long and short at the same time, and I’m sure this period will be a strange and new time of inspiration and learning for all of us,” he wrote.

“Goodbye for now. Let us be us, whenever and wherever! Let’s meet in the future,” he added on the social media platform Weverse.

On the other hand, V posted selfies featuring his recently cropped, military-approved buzzcut, along with sunglasses and a scarf. In the caption, originally written in Korean, he conveyed the difficulty of being separated from the ARMY for the upcoming eighteen months. Despite this, he expressed anticipation for the future and wrapped up his post with the assurance, “I’ll return soon!”

“It has been a dream to wear sunglasses with a shaved head. I wanted to try it someday, and it worked out well,” he said.

With all seven band members now entering their mandated 18 months of military obligation, the group will stay on hiatus until 2025.

BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a South Korean boy band formed by Big Hit Entertainment. The group debuted in 2013 and consists of seven members: RM (formerly known as Rap Monster), Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Renowned for their diverse music styles, socially conscious lyrics, and energetic performances, BTS has evolved into a worldwide cultural sensation, filling stadiums globally, consistently topping international charts, including the Billboard 200, and contributing significantly to South Korea’s economy, amassing billions in revenue, and fostering a dedicated global fanbase known as ARMY.

Source: WEVERSE and BTS FB

Photo: Rm and V Instagram