BTS nears full reunion as 2 more members complete military service

South Korea — Two members of the K-pop supergroup BTS have completed their mandatory military service, bringing the band closer to a reunion after years of hiatus on group activities. 

BTS has been on a break since June 2022 to focus on solo projects and serve in the South Korean military. All of the group's seven members are scheduled to finish mandatory enlistment by the end of June.

On Tuesday, members Kim Nam-joon and Kim Tae-hyung, known respectively by their stage names RM and V, saluted in their military uniforms to news media cameras and cheering fans gathered for their release in Chuncheon City.

They thanked their fans and fellow soldiers. Asked what they wish to do the most after their release, the band's leader RM said he wants to make music and return to the stage quickly.

RM and V join two fellow members, Jin and J-Hope, who were discharged last year after each served for 18 months. Members Jimin and Jung Kook are also set for discharge this week, and the final member Suga later in June.

Military enlistment was a hurdle the K-pop stars had to clear in continuing their successful careers.

All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve in the military, and only a handful of top athletes and performers are exempted from active duty enlistment.

Starting in 2018, as BTS soared to global stardom and topped charts, some lawmakers called for amending the conscription law to extend exemptions to outstanding pop stars.

In the year before their hiatus, BTS had four of the top 10 bestselling digital hits in the U.S. They have had five Grammy nominations and won the top prize at the American Music Awards in 2021.