YEONCHEON, South Korea (AP) 鈥� Hundreds of fans gathered in the early morning hours to catch a glimpse of K-pop superstars and , the latest and final members of to be discharged from South Korea鈥檚 mandatory military service.
The pair wore their military uniforms Wednesday, saluted and addressed fans who had assembled to see the pair after their discharge.
Jung Kook thanked the journalists and fans who traveled to see him and Jimin after their discharge and acknowledged how different it was to be back in the spotlight. 鈥淎ctually, it鈥檚 been so long since I鈥檝e been in front of cameras, and I didn鈥檛 even put on makeup, so I鈥檓 a bit embarrassed,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what to say.鈥�
The pair one day after RM and V did the same. The latter were
Supporters traveled from around the world to the public sports ground where the meet-and-greet took place. It was moved from the military base鈥檚 gate for safety reasons. Color-wrapped buses bearing BTS members鈥� faces lined the streets while red and yellow balloons floated above and a decorated food truck provided free coffee and water, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Many supporters wore masks, conscious of potential backlash after the band鈥檚 label discouraged attendance citing safety concerns. Despite the challenges, fans like Anaesi from Portugal said the 20-hour journey to Yeoncheon, a town near the tense border with North Korea, was worth it.
鈥淧ortugal is a small country, but inside of Portugal, BTS is a king,鈥� she said. Anaesi, who discovered BTS on YouTube, said the group 鈥渟aved鈥� her from depression. 鈥淪o for me BTS is my angel,鈥� she said. She displayed a colorful upper arm tattoo featuring a golden shield emblazoned with 鈥淎RMY鈥� and an eagle above it, complemented by Korean text listing BTS members鈥� names and those of her friends.
V thanked fans Tuesday for their patience in waiting for him and RM's return and teased the band's reunion. "If you can just wait a little bit longer, we will return with a really amazing performance.鈥�
The seven singers of the popular K-pop band plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025 after they finish their service.
Six of the group鈥檚 seven members served in the army, while as a social service agent, an alternative form of military service. He will be discharged later this month.
Jin, the oldest BTS member, was discharged . J-Hope was .
In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.
The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren鈥檛 subject to such privileges.
However, in 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30 after South Korea鈥檚 National Assembly revised its Military Service Act, allowing K-pop stars to delay their enlistment until age 30.
There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether to offer special exemptions of mandatory military service for BTS members, until the group鈥檚 management agency that all seven members would fulfill their duties.
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Sherman reported from New York.
Juwon Park And Maria Sherman, The Associated Press
