What Happened to BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan)?

BTS, or Bangtan Sonyeondan, announced a temporary hiatus from group activities in June 2022, shortly after releasing their anthology album "Proof." This decision allowed the members to focus on individual solo projects and fulfill South Korea's mandatory military service, a requirement for all able-bodied men. The announcement, initially described by some as a "hiatus" but clarified by their agency as a period for solo exploration, marked a significant turning point for the group and their global fanbase, ARMY.

During this period, each member launched successful solo careers, releasing albums, singles, and embarking on tours. J-Hope was the first to release a full-length solo album, "Jack in the Box," in July 2022, and headlined Lollapalooza. Jin followed with his single "The Astronaut" in October 2022, co-written with Coldplay. RM released his debut solo album "Indigo" in December 2022, while Jimin, Suga, V, and Jungkook also released critically acclaimed solo works such as "Face," "D-Day," "Layover," and "Golden," respectively, throughout 2023.

The most significant development during the hiatus was the staggered enlistment of all seven members into the South Korean military. Jin was the first to enlist in December 2022, followed by J-Hope in April 2023, and Suga in September 2023, who served as a public service agent due to a prior shoulder injury. The remaining four members – RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook – all enlisted in December 2023.

The period of military service concluded with the discharge of all members by June 2025. Jin was discharged on June 12, 2024, and J-Hope on October 17, 2024. In June 2025, RM and V were discharged on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on June 11. Suga, the last member, completed his public service on June 21, 2025, officially marking the end of the group's military service chapter.

CURRENT STATUS as of 2026-06-12: With all members having completed their military duties, BTS has officially reunited. Big Hit Music announced their long-awaited full-group comeback, with the release of their new album, "Arirang," on March 20, 2026. This album is their first full seven-member studio album since "Be" in 2020 and their first group release since the anthology "Proof" in 2022. The group has also embarked on a world tour to support "Arirang," with performances scheduled in various locations, including Busan, South Korea, on June 12 and 13, 2026, as part of their 13th-anniversary celebrations. On June 12, 2026, BTS also released the track "Come Over" to celebrate their 13th debut anniversary during the "2026 FESTA." The reunion has been met with immense global anticipation, and the group is expected to continue their global activities with new music and performances well into 2027, including tour stops in the Philippines in March 2027.