All BTS members to enlist in military by end of 2023—report
The rest of the members of iconic K-pop group BTS will reportedly be enlisting in the military by the end of 2023.
Citing unnamed "officials," Korean pop news site Allkpop said that Suga, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are moving forward to fulfill their mandatory enlistment this year. This is after Jin, the eldest member of the K-pop supergroup, began his enlistment in late 2022. J-hope enlisted in the military earlier this year.
The report added that the five members would enlist after completing their remaining shows and schedules, including Suga’s world tour and Jungkook’s solo activities.
The report also cited BTS’ 10th-anniversary event in Seoul on June 17, where RM addressed the fans and said: "It feels like it was a long time ago when I trained with (Suga). I want to thank you guys for being us since middle school through high school and even when you became working adults."
"Around this time next year, (Jin) will fill this spot. I don't know what will happen on the 15th anniversary or the 20th anniversary but we're always thinking of you guys. I'll work hard and will try to live happy lives with the members until the day we meet again at Wembley Stadium,” he added.
BTS is widely considered South Korea's biggest-ever cultural phenomenon, selling out stadiums worldwide, dominating the charts, raking in billions, and building a global legion of fans known as ARMY. According to the Guinness World Records, it is the "most popular group in the world." They are best known for their hit songs Dynamite, Butter, and FAKE LOVE, among others.