BTS’ RM, V enlist in Army

RM and V of K-pop supergroup BTS began their mandatory military service Monday.

The two arrived at a military boot camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, earlier in the day, where they will receive basic military training for five weeks.

Five other BTS members visited the camp in a show of support and to bid temporary farewell to the two.

In drizzling rain, BTS’ fans waited at the entrance of the camp to say goodbye, with some in tears.

One fan from Germany, a student at Seoul’s Hongik University, said she hoped they fulfill their mandatory duty in good health and return safely to the fans.

When two more members — Jimin and Jungkook — enlist Tuesday, all seven members of the band will be carrying out their military duty.

Three older band members are already in service, with Jin, the oldest, being the first to join last December.

Jin and J-Hope are performing active duty while Suga is serving as a social service agent, an alternative form of military service in the country.

“I was really happy to live as a BTS member over the past 10 years,” RM said on Weverse, a K-pop fan community platform, on Sunday.

He said he is both “afraid and scared,” but expressed hope to learn lessons and get new inspiration from the new experience.

“I always wanted to be a person who is by your side even when I am not there,” RM said. “Goodbye for now.”

V also expressed his anticipation during a Weverse livestream.

“I’m excited,” he said. “Even though those I’ll be going to the military with may be younger than me, I think I’ll be able to learn new things by talking to them.”

The four members and their agency, BigHit Music, have repeatedly asked fans not to visit Army boot camps on the day the members turn up as there would be no separate official events.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for at least 18 months. The four are scheduled to be discharged from the service in June 2025.

Both the band and the agency were hoping to resume activities as a full group around that year.