BTS is going to the military. Surprisingly, I am at peace with it.
As they say, "the best is yet to come."
This morning, I woke up to news I was kind of expecting for months: BTS will enlist in military service.
In an official press release from BigHit Music, BTS’s record label, said the group “is currently moving forward with plans to fulfill their military service”, with eldest member Jin initiating the process as soon as his scheduled solo release is concluded at the end of October. It added other members of the group plan to carry out their service based on their own individual plans.
“Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment,” BigHit Music said.
It is bittersweet news, especially because I became a fan in January 2020. But surprisingly, I am at peace with it.
During the early days of going down the BTS rabbit hole, they comforted me during a particularly hard time at work. And when the pandemic started, their music kept me company as I spent the first few months alone in my small apartment.
After revealing my fangirl joy to the world, I met people I now consider my closest friends. Together with BTS ARMY, I watched online concerts from the comfort of my home. And then this past April, I saw BTS perform twice in Las Vegas.
I’m not gonna lie, I set aside some vacation dates in anticipation of a world tour this year. I initially thought I had more time. Therefore, it hit me like a ton of bricks when the group announced they were focusing more on solo activities back in June during their anniversary dinner.
That announcement prepared me for what was to come. Over time, I came to appreciate each member’s solo activities and performances.
Still, I missed seeing them perform together. That’s why BTS’ concert in Busan this past weekend felt like a gift and the end of an era. During their ending ments, all members told their fans to “trust” them as they head into an unpredictable future.
“Our seven hearts are unified,” said leader RM. “And if you trust us, whatever happens, we’ll overcome it all.”
It’s meaningful to hear that, when so many idols go off to perform their service for the country, without giving a timeline of when they’re expected to make a comeback. BTS didn’t owe us anything. But the fact that they released a clear statement, with a comeback as a group in three years time, shows the trust and connection they have with us fans.
I believe them, and the friendships I’ve made along the way are here to stay just as my love of BTS will always endure.
When I saw the news, I immediately turned to my group chats and texted my friends. We comforted each other with memories and memes. It was heartwarming to see how we all collectively processed the tough news with laughter and kindness.
People often laugh at fandoms for being “obsessed,” but at the end of the day, it’s all about the community we build together. I don’t think that’s ever going to change.
While BTS is out there growing and serving their country, I know the rest of us will be there for each other and waiting until the day they come back. We should also take the time to grow as people too.
As BigHit stated in their release, “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” is more than a track from their latest album, it is a promise, there’s much more yet to come in the years ahead from BTS.”