Every member of BTS has completed South Korean mandatory military service, with Jin entering first in December 2022 and SUGA finishing his alternative service in June 2025. South Korean law requires able-bodied men to serve roughly 18 to 21 months in the armed forces or public sector. Because the group wanted to minimize their group hiatus, they didn't enlist all at once. Instead, they staggered their departures based on age and solo schedules, allowing individual members to release solo projects before trading their stage outfits for uniforms.
Understanding the exact timeline requires looking past generalized rumors and examining when each member entered and left active duty. This breakdown maps out the complete sequence, the specific branches they joined, and what obligations remain now that all seven members are back together.
The Enlistment Sequence and Discharge Dates
South Korea's Military Service Act dictates that all healthy males must enlist by their 28th birthday, though an amendment passed in 2020 allowed globally recognized cultural figures like BTS to defer until age 30. Jin, as the oldest member, reached that ceiling in late 2022.
The group's staggered enrollment kept music releases flowing while individual members fulfilled their duties. Here is the exact chronology of when every member went to the military and when they returned:
- Jin: Enlisted on December 13, 2022; discharged on June 12, 2024.
- J-Hope: Enlisted on April 18, 2023; discharged on October 17, 2024.
- SUGA: Enlisted on September 22, 2023; discharged on June 21, 2025.
- RM: Enlisted on December 11, 2023; discharged on June 10, 2025.
- V: Enlisted on December 11, 2023; discharged on June 10, 2025.
- Jimin: Enlisted on December 12, 2023; discharged on June 11, 2025.
- Jung Kook: Enlisted on December 12, 2023; discharged on June 11, 2025.
Where Each Member Served
Not all military service looks the same in South Korea. While most members opted for active-duty army enlistment, assignments varied by branch, division, and specialized testing.
Jin and J-Hope both completed basic training at front-line infantry divisions and stayed on as drill assistants, helping train new recruits. RM joined the military band of the 15th Infantry Division, playing saxophone at official events. V applied for and passed rigorous screening to join the Capital Defense Command's Special Duty Team (SDT), completing specialized counter-terrorism training. Jimin and Jung Kook enlisted together under the companion soldier system, serving in the artillery brigade of the 5th Infantry Division where Jung Kook worked as a unit cook.
SUGA fulfilled his mandate through social service agent work rather than active military duty. This alternative assignment stems from shoulder surgery he underwent in 2020, which exempted him from front-line combat training while requiring a 21-month term at a public institution.
Did BTS Receive a Military Exemption?
A persistent misconception involves whether BTS received a special government exemption from military service. They did not.
South law allows exemptions or reduced service terms for Olympic medalists, Asian Games gold medalists, and certain classical musicians or international award-winning competition winners who elevate national prestige. Pop culture artists, despite driving billions of dollars into the South Korean economy and generating massive tourism, were never included in those statutory exemptions.
The National Assembly debated amending the Military Service Act multiple times to include pop culture icons like BTS under the same provisions given to classical artists. However, intense public debate, political gridlock, and the members' own clear stance that they intended to fulfill their civic duties put an end to the legislative push. BIGHIT MUSIC and the members confirmed as early as October 2022 that Jin would revoke his deferral and begin the enlistment process, setting the precedent for the rest of the group.
Remaining Obligations and Reserve Status
Finishing active duty doesn't mean a complete severance from the military system. South Korean law mandates that discharged soldiers transition into the reserve forces.
Under the Military Manpower Administration, members remain part of the reserve forces for eight years following their discharge. This means Jin and J-Hope participate in local reserve training drills through 2032, while the remaining members have reserve commitments lasting until the end of 2033. These obligations require short annual training sessions, though scheduling accounts for overseas touring and professional schedules. Once the eight-year reserve period concludes, they transition into the civil defense corps until turning forty, which involves minimal yearly safety lectures rather than tactical exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't all members enlist together?
Enlisting at the same time would have triggered a full group hiatus lasting nearly two years, halting group music production and large-scale touring. Staggering their entry allowed members to release solo albums, build individual artistic identities, and ensure a faster total turnaround for the full group reunion.
How long is South Korean military service?
Active duty lengths vary slightly by branch. Army and Marine Corps service lasts 18 months, Navy service runs for 20 months, and Air Force service takes 21 months. Social service agent roles, such as the one SUGA completed, require 21 months.
Can idols use their phones in the military?
Yes. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense permits enlisted soldiers to use personal smartphones during designated off-hours—typically from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends. This policy allowed BTS members to occasionally update fans, post photos, and host short live streams during their service.
Did any member suffer injuries during service?
No major training injuries were reported. While rigorous physical demands and harsh winter conditions at front-line camps in Gangwon and Gyeonggi provinces presented challenges, all members successfully completed their training objectives and maintained healthy weight and fitness levels throughout their terms.
