BTS’ RM pens heartfelt farewell letter to fans ahead of military enlistment
RM of K-pop group BTS bid goodbye to the ARMYs in a heartfelt letter as he opened up about finding comfort in them ahead of his military enlistment.
The K-pop star, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, took to his Instagram stories on Sunday, Dec. 10 to give his fans an emotional message.
“I was so happy to have been able to live as [a member of] BTS for the past 10 years. I’ve said this over and over again, but since an end is also a beginning!” he wrote in his letter, as translated by Korean media outlet Soompi. “I have faith and I have no doubt that after this passes, new good things will be waiting for us.”
He praised his co-members Jin and J-hope, who were among the first in the group to enlist in the military, for doing such a great job. He said they helped him have “unparalleled courage.”
RM said that while he also feels “fearful” about the next 18 months, he shared that the love and support he's been getting from his fans also serve as his source of comfort whenever he feels “lonely and melancholy.”
“I believe that this period of 18 months, which could be seen as either long or short depending on how you look at it, will give us all new and unfamiliar inspiration and learning,” he wrote.
He added, “Though I’m scared and fearful as well, what could be more comforting than the fact that there is something to anticipate and look forward to during this uncertain time? Aside from my own work, it is most likely your love.”
“The fact that I’m a person whom someone may be constantly remembering and whom someone is waiting for—even though there may be times when I feel lonely and melancholy, I think I already feel replete inside with that love,” he continued. “I hope that I, too, can be that kind of presence for you.”
RM sent his love to ARMYs in different parts of the world, expressing his hope that he would also be their source of comfort even though he'll be away from the spotlight in the upcoming months.
“Rather than the countless words that linger by our ears before leaving, our time and love and sincerity is what tells us about our future. I wanted to be someone who is always by your side, even when I’m not by your side,” he wrote.
“Whenever and wherever we are, here’s hoping that we will be us! Let’s meet in the future. I love you a lot,” he concluded. “I hope that [these feelings] will reach you even a little bit.”
RM and his co-members V, Jimin, and Jungkook are set to enlist in the military this December. According to their agency Big Hit Music, he and V will serve separately, while the latter two are scheduled to do it together. The agency didn’t disclose the exact dates of their military enlistment.
Before them, Jin and J-hope started their military enlistment in December 2022 and April 2023, respectively. Suga, meanwhile, enlisted in September as a social service agent as he was "ruled unfit for the regular combat duty.”
BTS is known as one of the biggest K-pop groups in the industry for dominating music charts, selling out albums and live shows, and garnering a massive fanbase known as ARMY. Some of their hit songs include Dynamite, Butter, and RUN, among others.
They are expected to make a full group comeback in 2025.