BigHit Music, the managing agency of the iconic South Korean music septet BTS, revealed on Monday that members RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook have commenced their mandatory military service and are set to fulfill their duties at the training camp.
Jin, the eldest member of BTS, initiated his military service in 2022, while j-hope followed suit last April. Suga, the third member, embarked on his military journey in September 2023. The remaining quartet, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, officially began their enlistment process in November 2023.
In a statement posted on the fan community platform Weverse, BigHit Music expressed sincere appreciation to ARMY, the dedicated fan group of BTS, for their unwavering support throughout the years.
"Thanks to your generous consideration and support last December, BTS members RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook have now entered the military and will soon be carrying out their duties at the training camp. We sincerely appreciate your interest and support on their enlistment day," conveyed the agency in its statement.
BigHit Music also urged fans not to send gifts to the enlisted members due to potential storage issues and the risk of misplacement.
"The military barracks are shared communal spaces used by all military personnel for joint training. Handling a large influx of letters and gifts from fans at once could pose storage challenges and increase the risk of misplacement. Therefore, we kindly request that fans refrain from sending physical items by mail," the statement emphasized.
Fans are encouraged to share messages for the artists on Weverse, as mentioned by BigHit Music.
The agency additionally sought ARMY's cooperation during the members' recruit training graduation ceremony, advising against on-site visits to prevent crowding issues.
"To avoid potential disruptions from crowds, we kindly ask fans not to visit the site. Instead, we request you to hold your heartfelt words of support and farewell in your thoughts. We appreciate your ongoing love and support for the BTS members until they complete their service and return. Our company is committed to providing comprehensive support during this period," the statement assured.
BTS, which made its debut in 2013, announced a hiatus in June 2022. The members aim to reunite as a group around 2025 after fulfilling their military service commitment.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18-28 are obligated to serve in the military for approximately two years. Notably, all BTS members were granted the opportunity to defer the commencement of their military service until they reached the age of 30.
(With Agency Inputs)
ALSO READ | BTS Jungkook Expresses Feeling 'Heavy' Ahead of Commencing Military Service
ALSO READ | BTS to release 10-year anniversary special album of ‘The Most Beautiful Moment In Life’
