The band is closing in on the end of a years-long break, as the guys have fulfilled their military service requirements.
BTS
Courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC
Ever since RM, Suga, V, Jimin and Jung Kook became the last members of BTS to enlist in the South Korean military — following Jin and j-hope months prior — fans had been counting down the days until June 2025.
That’s because after 18 months of required service, the final five Bangtan Boys finally completed their obligations to their country that month, free at last to return to civilian life with their bandmates — and, as promised, to reunite as a septet more than two years after Jin became the first to enlist in December 2022. Their next chapter will also come a full five years after the release of BTS’ last proper studio album, Be, which debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 and allowed the group to explode into crossover superstar status; “Dynamite” and “Life Goes On” from the LP both became Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, setting the stage for “Permission to Dace” and “Butter” to later reach the top spot.
But while having to step away at the very height of their popularity could have killed their momentum, all seven of the bandmates were able to keep the train moving by releasing solo projects during their time apart. From standalone singles to EPs and full-blown albums, along with collaborations with other major stars, each member of the group has gotten the chance to step into their own as soloists and come out stronger with heightened senses of their own artistry.
Now, the only question on ARMY’s mind is: What’s next? There’s no telling what the future holds for BTS as they regroup and prepare for 2026, which is when the members revealed on July 1 that they will be sharing new music as well as embarking on a tour. Before that announcement, some of the members touched on what’s in store for their future as a band — and no matter what it is, it’s going to be exciting.
Below, see everything the guys of BTS have said about their upcoming reunion.
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June 2024: RM says he’s “looking forward” to reuniting
During his time in the military, RM penned a heartfelt letter to ARMY on Weverse describing how much he missed his bandmates — and how excited he was to get the band back together. “I miss the members so much,” he wrote. “I bet you do too … When we actually talked face to face, I realized again the things that never change, the place I had to return to.”
Adding that he was “looking forward to next summer,” he said of reuniting, “I just realized that many people still haven’t forgotten us and are waiting for us and loving us. Overflowing love. As always, I will just think of the members and spend each day well.”
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December 2024: j-hope shares his hopes for the reunion
In an interview with Weverse Magazine, j-hope talked extensively about reuniting with his bandmates. “After pursuing our own little ventures, we are now coming back together, and I love that for us,” he told the publication. “With that in mind, I believe the next step for BTS is to think about how we can balance our individual colors with the team without diminishing our individual colors and identities.”
“There are certainly things we need to do as BTS,” he continued. “When we’re all back together as a group, it’s going to have a huge impact, and everybody’s going to be watching. I’m excited to see what it’ll feel like when we perform together again. I want to come back in style and say, ‘This is us. This is BTS.’ I can’t speak for everyone, but I can tell you the other members feel the same way.”
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December 2024: RM talks about the “good influence” of their time apart
During a Q&A about his Right Place, Wrong People documentary, RM shared why he thinks his solo projects would be beneficial to BTS’ eventual reunion. “I believe that the experience of being able to be completely free and honest will have a good influence on our team when BTS transitions to the next chapter,” he said, according to People.
“I believe that everything happens for a reason, so I think I am driving in the right direction, and that those events are bound to have a good influence when we come back together,” he continued. “That’s the way I live, knowing that you realize what’s precious after losing it and that you can only take off something after you’ve tried it on. So I’m going to try to take it off this time.”
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January 2025: Jimin admits he’s “a bit scared”
According to Koreaboo, Jimin shared a letter with fans on Weverse sharing his feelings on the approaching reunion — something he said he often spoke with Jungkook about while the pair were enlisted together. “The conversations Jungkook and I have before going to bed have changed a lot,” Jimin wrote. “Since the days when we can meet ARMY are getting closer and closer, we’ve been talking a lot about what we need to prepare before we see you again, what kind of image we want to show and what kind of life we’ll live moving forward.”
“To be honest, there’s also a little fear,” he continued. “It’s been quite some time since we all performed together, and it’s been a while since I’ve fully devoted myself to music and the stage. So, I do feel a bit scared, but my determination to give you the best stage possible, for all of you who have waited for us, has not wavered.”
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April 2025: j-hope says the reunion will have “massive energy”
During a sit-down conversation with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe, j-hope got candid about his expectations for the reunion. “I look forward to June when our members will have completed their service,” he said at the time, according to a close-captioned translation. “We will quickly get together and talk about what BTS can do in the future.”
“I think it’s going to be a massive energy,” he added. “I’m curious to see how it’ll look like.”
The star also shared his thoughts on how everyone’s solo work will fuel the band’s next chapter. “I think that over time, we each refined our unique identities as each of us work on their own music, come out with their solo projects and do their own thing,” j-hope told Lowe. “The funny thing for me is when our identities, which have taken shape in various ways, come together as BTS.”
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May 2025: Jin is ready to reunite
While guesting on The Tonight Show, Jin said he was looking forward to welcoming his bandmates home after their enlistments. “It was great to be alone,” he told host Jimmy Fallon. “But when they come back, since they worked very hard, I’m going to honor them and give them great respect.”
“They are my lifesavers, so I need to show my appreciation and take care of them,” he added.
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July 2025: The boys are back
On the first day of July 2025, ARMY got to see all seven BTS members together for the first time in ages as RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook appeared side-by-side in a Weverse livestream to share their plans for the future.
They said in a group statement, “We’ll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year … We’re also planning a world tour alongside the new album. We’ll be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you’re as excited as we are.”
The performers also confirmed that they would be hitting the studio immediately to prep for their 2026 comeback.
