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BTS is back on the world stage, with a new album released this year, an international tour ongoing and an appearance at the World Cup final looming.
For about three years, however, BTS was incomplete and, at times, inactive. Mandatory military service forced the band to take a step back, and it might have been all that was capable of slowing the momentum the group had.
With their loyal fan base still intact, BTS is in the midst of a major comeback.
Here's what you need to know about the mandatory military service BTS members completed.
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BTS military service, explained
South Korean law requires able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 to complete 18-21 months of military service, with no exceptions.
BTS' oldest member, Jin, was able to defer his service for two years, but when it came time to serve, the band announced a decision to take a break and complete their service to avoid further interruptions.
Jin enlisted in 2022, followed by the remaining six members of the group in 2023. All members completed their military service by June of 2025, allowing the band to reconnect. Jin and J-Hope, the first to complete their service, performed solo concerts before the rest of the group finished up.
Keeping seven personalities together through that time is difficult, but BTS reunited without any defections and produced its first album in four years before launching an international tour.
Before enlisting, BTS member J-Hope said he thought the break would actually help long-term. "I think we should spend some time apart to learn how to be one again," he said at a dinner celebrating the band. "I hope you don't see this as a negative thing, and see it as a healthy plan. I think BTS will become stronger that way."
Here's more to know about South Korea's military service requirement.
MORE: BTS 2026-27 tour dates, best seats
Is military service mandatory in South Korea?
Mandatory military service was written in the South Korean constitution in 1948 and currently requires men between the ages of 18 and 28 to serve for 18-21 months. In 2020, the country created an exception for entertainers to defer their service until age 30, which Jin was able to take advantage of until 2022.
Some BTS members could have waited to enter the military, but once Jin was required to enlist, the group decided to serve nearly concurrently in hopes of avoiding any more interruptions and reconnecting in 2025.
So far, BTS has come back with a bang, releasing a new album, going on tour and seeing single "SWIM" rise up the charts. The group will now be performing at the World Cup final in front of a global audience.
BTS band members
BTS currently has seven members:
- Jung Kook
- Jin
- Suga
- RM
- J-Hope
- V
- Jimin
Initially formed in 2010, BTS started as a hip-hop group but has expanded to several other genres. BTS has released six Korean-language studio albums, including 2026 album Arirang.
