How ARMY is Still Crying Over the BTS Military Hiatus

October 20, 2022

After announcing their hiatus in June, K-pop sensation BTS has revealed that the hiatus will not end until 2025 to fulfill their mandatory military service in South Korea. Fans(or ARMY as they’re called) are saddened by this news.

BTS has had a busy career breaking records. and playing massive stadium tours over the last 10 years. On Monday, the band’s management company and label BIGHIT MUSIC released a statement that the group will complete their military service before ending the hiatus.

[공지] 방탄소년단 병역 이행 및 향후 활동 계획 안내 (+ENG/JPN/CHN) pic.twitter.com/jntF90agO4

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) October 17, 2022

“BIGHIT MUSIC has focused to the milestone moment when it would be possible to respect the needs of the country and for these healthy young men to serve with their countrymen, and that’s now.” reads the statement.

South Korean government requires men between the ages of 18 to 28 to serve a minimum of 18 months in the armed forces. Certain notable figures in sports or classical music have been able to exempt or delay their service. Jin, the oldest member of BTS at 29 was given a two-year extension on his military service after he turned 28 in 2021. He is the first K-pop star to ever be granted such a privilege. The rest of the BTS members, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, will stagger their military commitments while pursuing individual projects.

ARMY reacted to the news in a myriad of ways. Some were utterly heartbroken.

me in my room crying and watching bts old contents until 2025 comes pic.twitter.com/ipsEbJwEnx

— mai jiyoon (ꪜ) (@filefilled) October 17, 2022

It is 9am and I’m full on sobbing about BTS.

— Lymari🩷 (@PoweLymari) October 17, 2022

And a lot were grateful for the music and supportive of the group’s future.

I am very sad but still i feel so proud of them..i stan the right group..they proved themselves..i will wait for them forever..love for BTS will never end.. stay healthy and safe boys.. Bts Army Forever We Miss You and We Love You See you BTS in 2025#WeTrustYouBTS pic.twitter.com/LBx9Jadsqo

— Saleha Shaikh V (@v_saleha) October 17, 2022

Jokes aside, let’s pray for bangtan’s safety when they enlist. Pray they will be treated fairly and with respect. Hope they will be able to get by, & even if they don’t publicly communicate, I hope they can call their loved ones. I also hope they’ll be together once there!

— ARMY-ing 101 for BTS (@ARMYing101_) October 17, 2022

And of course, like any fandom, there were memes.

Life of a Military wife

BTS in 2025 pic.twitter.com/39BofjzyzA

— “i am an army but-” stfu. (@iIluvmin) October 17, 2022

Two types of ARMY pic.twitter.com/7i5VGcnzdc

— (ꪜ)ee🅃hoven 🅂unbaenim⁷ (@findingmybias) October 17, 2022

Rachel Horner, a studio coordinator and member of ARMY was touched by the respect and support given by the fandom.

“…I [definitely] think the response has been positive. I think ARMY in general are very loyal. And every response I’ve seen has been like: We will miss you, but are so happy for all the memories made in Chapter one of BTS, catch you in 2025,” she tells What’s Trending. “The sadness or “negative emotion” I’ve felt or seen from friends is more along the lines of the first chapter ending. Feeling very reflective and grateful for all the memories and moments everyone has made by being ARMY”.

love the way Army are taking this news. Y’all are making me laugh so hard but also just very much in my feels over how much love and respect we all have for the tannies. I hope they’re seeing all of this & know we’re here with them always. And getting a laugh out of it too.

— Fatima (@fatimafarha_) October 17, 2022

Furthermore, ARMY isn’t going anywhere. Horner, who has made lifelong friends through BTS and even joined a dance team composed of other fans, notes that ARMY is strong enough to withstand any hiatus.

“And I’m very sure that when they do come back in 2025 – it will be just as miserably hard as [it] was to get tickets. And I will be so glad to reunite with everyone”