The long-awaited return of BTS as a full group is finally within reach. With all seven members of the global K-pop sensation set to complete their mandatory South Korean military service by June 2025, anticipation is building for one of the most significant comebacks in modern music history.
Currently, Jin and J-Hope have already completed their service and are back in the public eye.
RM and V will be discharged on June 10, followed by Jungkook and Jimin on June 11, and finally SUGA on June 21.
This timeline sets the stage for the first potential full-group activities since their hiatus began over two years ago.
Though the group’s last collective album, Proof, was released in 2022, and their final concert together—Yet to Come in Busan—was held that same year, BTS’s presence has remained strong through solo releases and strategic engagements.
For instance, Jimin’s pre-recorded single Who dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 33 weeks during his enlistment, while RM’s track LOST! earned multiple international awards.
These solo successes have not only kept fans engaged but also showcased each member’s artistic growth.
Despite the momentum, HYBE has indicated that a group comeback won’t be immediate. CEO Park Jiwon emphasized in a shareholders’ meeting that extensive planning is underway, including collaboration with top-tier composers.
He stressed that the return of BTS demands a thoughtful approach, given the group’s unmatched global influence and the sky-high expectations of ARMY.
A late 2025 or early 2026 group comeback seems most likely. In the meantime, fans can expect solo activities to continue.
Jin, for example, will embark on a fan concert tour across South Korea, Japan, the U.S., the U.K., and the Netherlands beginning next month.
The emotional and creative evolution of the members during their time apart—including military service and solo ventures—is expected to fuel a deeper, more mature sound and message in their upcoming works.
Experts believe this transformation could usher in a new era for BTS that surpasses even their Love Yourself era, which originally catapulted them to global superstardom.
Industry analysts also view BTS’s return as a potential turning point for K-pop, which has faced a decline in album sales (down 17.7%) and streaming numbers (down 7.6%) in the past year.
According to Kim Jin-woo of Circle Chart and Choi Kwang-ho of the Korea Music Content Association, BTS’s comeback could reinvigorate the industry amid global economic challenges.
As BTS steps into their 30s, both as artists and individuals, fans around the world are excited to see how the group will redefine their sound, visuals, and message in a post-hiatus world.
Whether their next release arrives at the end of this year or early next, one thing is certain—the comeback of BTS is poised to be a monumental moment not just for K-pop, but for the global music scene.
