The band members have all completed their military service and are preparing for a big return.

12/30/2025

BTS Courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC

Ever since RM, Suga, V, Jimin and Jung Kook became the last members of BTS to enlist in the South Korean military — following Jin and j-hope months prior — fans had been counting down the days until June 2025.

That’s because after 18 months of required service, the final five Bangtan Boys finally completed their obligations to their country that month, free at last to return to civilian life with their bandmates — and, as promised, to reunite as a septet more than two years after Jin became the first to enlist in December 2022. Their next chapter will also come a full five years after the release of BTS’ last proper studio album, Be, which debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 and allowed the group to explode into crossover superstar status; “Dynamite” and “Life Goes On” from the LP both became Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, setting the stage for “Permission to Dace” and “Butter” to later reach the top spot.

But while having to step away at the very height of their popularity could have killed their momentum, all seven of the bandmates were able to keep the train moving by releasing solo projects during their time apart. From standalone singles to EPs and full-blown albums, along with collaborations with other major stars, each member of the group has gotten the chance to step into their own as soloists and come out stronger with heightened senses of their own artistry.

Now, the only question on ARMY’s mind is: What’s next? There’s no telling what the future holds for BTS as they regroup and prepare for 2026, which is when the members revealed on July 1 that they will be sharing new music as well as embarking on a tour. Before that announcement, some of the members touched on what’s in store for their future as a band — and no matter what it is, it’s going to be exciting.

Below, see everything the guys of BTS have said about their upcoming reunion.

• June 2024: RM says he’s “looking forward” to reuniting

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  During his time in the military, RM penned a heartfelt letter to ARMY on Weverse describing how much he missed his bandmates — and how excited he was to get the band back together. “I miss the members so much,” he wrote. “I bet you do too … When we actually talked face to face, I realized again the things that never change, the place I had to return to.”

  Adding that he was “looking forward to next summer,” he said of reuniting, “I just realized that many people still haven’t forgotten us and are waiting for us and loving us. Overflowing love. As always, I will just think of the members and spend each day well.”

• December 2024: j-hope shares his hopes for the reunion

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  In an interview with Weverse Magazine, j-hope talked extensively about reuniting with his bandmates. “After pursuing our own little ventures, we are now coming back together, and I love that for us,” he told the publication. “With that in mind, I believe the next step for BTS is to think about how we can balance our individual colors with the team without diminishing our individual colors and identities.”

  “There are certainly things we need to do as BTS,” he continued. “When we’re all back together as a group, it’s going to have a huge impact, and everybody’s going to be watching. I’m excited to see what it’ll feel like when we perform together again. I want to come back in style and say, ‘This is us. This is BTS.’ I can’t speak for everyone, but I can tell you the other members feel the same way.”

• December 2024: RM talks about the “good influence” of their time apart

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