K-pop group BTS is set to reunite this month, three years after beginning their group hiatus in 2022. During their break, all seven members were completing their mandatory military service, a once-contentious national conversation before their enlistment announcement. The first members to be discharged from the military in 2024 were Jin and J-Hope, who each served for 18 months. RM and V were discharged on June 10; Jimin and Jungkook will follow today, June 11; and Suga on June 21.

South Korea mandates that all able-bodied men serve 18-21 months in the military, but there are special exemptions for Olympians and acclaimed classical musicians and ballet dancers who have enhanced national prestige. Though BTS does not fall into these exact categories, their influence on South Korea is arguably unparalleled. Since 2013, BTS has broken multiple records, whether it’s achieving multiple Billboard #1 hits on the Hot 100 chart as the first South Korean group, becoming the most streamed group on Spotify or being the first K-pop group to receive Grammy nominations. They have catapulted K-pop into the global mainstream, contributed approximately $5 billion annually to the national economy and were the first K-pop group to speak at the UN in 2018, so many fans once hoped they’d also be exempt. 

While completing military service, the members have released solo albums, EPs and documentaries. BTS members enlisted at different times, which allowed members the opportunity to individually promote their work abroad, with members Jin and Jung Kook on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and J-Hope, who also headlined Lollapalooza, and Suga completing world tours. Now, as fans arrive in Seoul to celebrate their reunion and BTS Festa – their 12th annual debut anniversary event – anticipation is at an all-time high. 

Members of the BTS ARMY (the name for the group’s loyal followers) have already arrived in Seoul from around the world and crowded outside their company headquarters to welcome BTS back. Yesterday, following a saxophone performance, RM thanked the ARMY awaiting him and V expressed his excitement to return to the stage. Jimmy Fallon also hinted that a BTS appearance may be in our near future. In other words, we are (almost) so back.