On December 11, RM and V arrived at the Korean Army Training Center in Nonsan, South Korea to start their military enlistment.
According to AP, the K-pop idols will undergo a rigorous five-week combat training before receiving their specific assignments.
It is mandatory for all fit South Korean men between 18 and 28 years to serve approximately two years in the military. This is to safeguard the country from potential threats from nuclear-armed North Korea, as per a Reuters report.
Before their enlistment, RM and V posted a farewell message on their social media to bid goodbye to their fans, also known as ARMYs.
The two BTS members also received a huge amount of support from their friends as well as from the other BTS members.
Park Seo Joon posted a photo on Instagram with the Wooga Squad, including V, Park Hyung Sik, Peakboy, and Choi Woo Shik, warmly greeting V and his new buzz cut.
“Makdaengyi, return safely.” Park Seo Joon wrote in his post.
Furthermore, JNKYRD, a friend and artist of RM, posted a photo featuring RM. San Yawn from Balming Tiger also shared a compilation of pictures with RM, expressing his gratitude with a simple “Thanks”. He also uploaded a group photo to his Instagram stories.
Fans expressed a multitude of emotions over this new chapter in their idols’ lives. Many fans sent messages of love and support, assuring V and RM that they would patiently wait for their return.
In a Tokyo district known as Korea Town, some ARMY fans gathered to support V and RM’s enlistment.
Meanwhile, a Reddit user commented the following:
“Just curious, how are articles selected for these posts? Each time there’s a BTS enlistment, it’s covered by the BBC, CNN, TIME, NBC, plus all the reputable Korean news sources and beyond. It’s been remarkable to see world media still covering the enlistment frankly.
Not calling this article into question at all, just curious.”
BTS is officially on hiatus until 2025 due to the enlistment of V and RM. It’s reported that Jimin and Jungkook will enlist the day after V and RM.
Wishing for your safe return from military service, V and RM!
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