What Happened to BTS Members?
After a period of individual pursuits and mandatory military service, all seven members of the global K-pop sensation BTS have completed their duties and officially reunited. The group marked their highly anticipated return with a new album, 'ARIRANG,' released on March 20, 2026, and a massive comeback concert in Seoul the following day, signaling the start of a new chapter and a global tour.
Quick Answer
All seven members of BTS — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — have successfully completed their mandatory military service in South Korea, with the last member, Suga, discharged in June 2025. Following a period of successful solo careers, the group officially reunited in July 2025 to begin work on new music. Their highly anticipated comeback album, 'ARIRANG,' was released on March 20, 2026, followed by a major comeback concert in Seoul on March 21, 2026, and a global tour scheduled to begin in April 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
BTS Announces Temporary Hiatus for Solo Work and Military Service
BTS announced they would be taking a temporary break from group activities to allow members to focus on individual music careers and prepare for mandatory military enlistment.
Jin Enlists in Military
Jin, the oldest member of BTS, became the first to enlist for mandatory military service, joining an army base in Yeoncheon.
J-Hope Enlists in Military
J-Hope became the second BTS member to begin his mandatory military service, enlisting at an Army A Division Recruit Training Center in Gangwon Province.
Suga Begins Alternative Military Service
Suga began his mandatory service as a public service worker, an alternative form of military duty due to a prior shoulder injury.
All BTS Members Renew Contracts with Big Hit Music
HYBE announced that all seven members of BTS renewed their exclusive contracts with Big Hit Music, ensuring future group activities beyond 2025.
RM and V Enlist in Military
RM and V began their mandatory military service, enlisting on the same day.
Jimin and Jungkook Enlist in Military
Jimin and Jungkook followed RM and V, enlisting for their mandatory military service.
Jin Discharged from Military
Jin became the first BTS member to complete his military service and was discharged, reuniting with his bandmates. He later hosted a fan event.
Jimin Releases Second Solo Album 'MUSE'
Jimin released his second solo album, 'MUSE,' featuring the main track 'Who,' further expanding his individual discography.
J-Hope Discharged from Military
J-Hope completed his mandatory military service, becoming the second BTS member to be discharged.
RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook Discharged from Military
RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook completed their mandatory military service, returning to civilian life.
Suga Discharged from Military, All Members Complete Service
Suga completed his alternative military service, marking the official discharge of all seven BTS members from their mandatory duties.
BTS Reunites in Studio to Work on New Album
All seven BTS members reunited for the first time since completing military service to begin working on their new group album, signaling the start of their official comeback preparations.
BTS Releases New Album 'ARIRANG'
BTS released their highly anticipated fifth studio album, 'ARIRANG,' their first group album in over three years, marking their official musical comeback.
BTS Holds Comeback Concert in Seoul
BTS performed their first full-group concert in years at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, a free event streamed live on Netflix, officially launching their reunion activities.
BTS 'ARIRANG' World Tour Begins
The 'BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG 2026-2027' is scheduled to kick off, encompassing 82 shows across 34 cities globally.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The global K-pop phenomenon BTS embarked on a temporary hiatus from group activities in June 2022, a decision driven by a combination of factors including the members' desire to explore individual artistry and the impending mandatory military service required of all able-bodied South Korean men. This period, dubbed 'Chapter Two' by the group, allowed each member to release successful solo albums, singles, and embark on individual projects, maintaining their global presence even while the group was on break.
The most significant turning point for the group's collective future came in September 2023, when all seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — renewed their exclusive contracts with Big Hit Music (HYBE Corporation). This crucial move assured fans that BTS would continue as a group beyond 2025, following the completion of their military duties.
Military enlistments began with Jin in December 2022, followed by J-Hope in April 2023, and Suga, who served as a public service worker due to a prior shoulder injury, in September 2023. The remaining four members, RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook, enlisted together in December 2023. The staggered enlistments meant a gradual return to civilian life. Jin was the first to be discharged in June 2024, followed by J-Hope in October 2024. The remaining members, RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook, completed their service in June 2025, with Suga being the final member to be discharged on June 21, 2025, officially marking the end of all members' military obligations.
Upon the completion of all military services, BTS officially reunited in the studio in July 2025 to begin working on their highly anticipated new group album. This period of reunion and preparation culminated in the release of their fifth studio album, 'ARIRANG,' on March 20, 2026. The album, named after Korea's beloved folk song, symbolizes the group's deep connection to their roots and identity. The very next day, March 21, 2026, BTS held a massive, free comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, which was also streamed live on Netflix, drawing tens of thousands of fans and marking their first full-group performance in nearly four years. This concert serves as the launchpad for the 'BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG 2026-2027,' an extensive 82-date global tour spanning 34 cities across multiple continents. Despite the hiatus, the members have consistently expressed their commitment to the group, with V humorously stating that he would 'hit' any member who considered leaving for a solo career, and Suga confirming that solo activities were only possible due to the group's temporary break. Analysts predict this comeback will significantly boost HYBE's revenue, with BTS-related earnings projected to rise sharply in 2025 and 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if BTS Members made different choices?