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BTS ARMY, the long-anticipated moment has finally arrived—Jimin and Jungkook have officially returned to civilian life after completing their mandatory military service. On June 11, the two idols stepped out in front of a large crowd at Yeoncheon to greet fans and share their heartfelt thoughts. The post-discharge gathering was filled with smiles, laughter, and emotional reflections. Jimin, in particular, opened up about the challenges of military life, the gratitude he felt toward ARMY, and the bonds he built during his time in the service.
Enlisting together under the buddy system on December 12, 2023, Jimin and Jungkook served at the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon County. Following their discharge, Jimin thanked ARMY for patiently waiting, even through the global pandemic and the group’s military hiatus. “Thank you so much for coming all this way to see us. And to ARMY, thank you for waiting for such a long time,” he said, clearly moved. He also shared how he had often pictured life after the military and was excited to finally bring those dreams to life, promising fans more exciting content from BTS moving forward.
Reflecting on his service, Jimin admitted it wasn’t easy. He emphasized the meaningful friendships he formed during tough times—bonding over shared struggles and daily routines. “The life of a soldier is really difficult,” he said, adding that soldiers deserve kindness and appreciation from the public. He ended with a touching message: “If you see a soldier on the street, please consider offering a warm word—it would mean so much.”
Meanwhile, HYBE made sure the return was just as special. On June 9, they lit up their Yongsan headquarters in Seoul with glowing projections of the BTS and ARMY logos alongside the message “WE ARE BACK.” The celebration is far from over, as BTS and BIGHIT MUSIC gear up for 2025 BTS FESTA, set to take place on June 13–14 at KINTEX in Goyang. As Jimin and Jungkook begin this new chapter, excitement builds not just for the group’s reunion, but for the next era of BTS.