RM, Jimin, V, And Jungkook from BTS to Enlist on December 11 and 12
Suga, Jin and J-Hope are already in the midst of serving their mandatory military duties.
Update:
According to an exclusive report by Star News, the four remaining BTS boys – RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook – heading for their mandatory military service will be enlisting in pairs on December 11 and 12. The report from the South Korean media outlet stated that RM and V will enlist together on December 11, and Jimin and Jungkook will begin their duties on December 12.
RM and V are said to be entering boot camp, as back-line support while Jimin and Jungkook will serve as front-line support. The members are expected to serve for 18 months in the military after completing their initial training. Jin, the group’s oldest member, is expected to be discharged from the army next year in June, after enlisting in late 2022.
Recognised worldwide for their all-rounded skills and immense popularity, boyband BTS is on a temporary hiatus, as all seven members are going to serve or are presently carrying out their mandatory military service duties. The members’ enlistment comes after a years-long debate regarding potential exemptions made for the band, considering their significant contributions to the K-pop industry as global idols. However, the boyband’s management label BigHit confirmed last year in October that all seven members were planning to move forward with their enlistment. In the meantime, you can see the all seven of the BTS boys in their upcoming Disney+ docuseries, BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star this December.
Original article, November 24:
Four of the BTS boys have just recently started the processes for their mandatory military service in South Korea. RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook will all be enlisting in the army come December, joining the other three members of the K-pop boy group. BigHit Music, the record label managing the boyband’s music activities, recently published an official statement confirming the initiation of the military process for the four members. Suga, Jin and J-Hope are presently all carrying out their military duties.
In their announcement, BigHit Music said that more updates would follow as things progress, and asked for continuous love and support from fans for the BTS boys as they embark on their enlistment. The label confirmed earlier this year that all members of the group would be enlisting by the end of 2023.
Of the seven members, eyes are on Jungkook, the team’s maknae (the youngest, in Korean). Jungkook has been on a roll, with the global success of his first-ever solo album Golden. The pre-released tracks ‘Seven’ featuring Latto and ‘3D’ featuring Jack Harlow drummed up excitement from ARMY everywhere. After Golden’s official release on November 3, Jungkook also performed the album’s title track ‘Standing Next to You’ on both Korean and international platforms, much to the delight of fans.
The phenomenal triumphs that Jungkook experienced with Golden have left some fans worried, given that he just launched his solo career. But Jungkook then took to WeVerse to reassure ARMY, saying, “To ARMY whom I love, I'm starting a new journey in December. I'll be leaving everyone temporarily to fulfil my military duty. A part of me feels heavy as I tell you this, but on the other hand, my heart grows warm when I think of the precious memories I've shared with ARMY.”
He continued, “I'm a little cautious about telling you to wait for me during my service. A year and 6 months is a long time. That's why I can't say those selfish words, but I promise you that when I get back, I'll be where I always was and stand on stage again after growing.” The heartfelt letter that concluded with Jungkook’s sincere well wishes for ARMY was well-received and stands as proof of the bond between BTS and their loyal fanbase.
Jungkook has also recently garnered more attention for a remix of his hit song ‘3D’ with Justin Timberlake, which just dropped today. The controversy and unhappiness, mainly aimed at BTS’s management company HYBE, comes amidst swirling rumours surrounding Justin Timberlake and his apparent involvement in Britney Spears’ abortion. The bombshell information came to light in Spears’ memoir The Woman in Me, where the ‘Toxic’ singer stated that she was pregnant with the former NSYNC member’s baby but aborted it because Timberlake “wasn’t ready to be a father”.
With Timberlake’s quickly deteriorating reputation, fans are questioning HYBE’s decision to allow the collaboration between Jungkook and Timberlake to happen. The company is facing backlash from ARMY who worry about how Jungkook might suffer from the collaboration through no fault of his own, stating their confusion at HYBE’s “poor timing”. On the other hand, some fans could see how it is possible for the collaboration to have been planned before news of the controversy came out. Either way, for now, ARMY can enjoy the remix of ‘3D’ and the other solo albums from the group, before the remaining BTS members formally enlist in December.
