Hundreds of fans gathered early in the morning to see K-pop stars Jimin and Jung Kook, who are the last members of BTS to finish their required military service in South Korea.

On Wednesday, the two individuals, dressed in their military uniforms, saluted and spoke to the large group of fans who had gathered to see them after they were discharged.

Jung Kook thanked the journalists and fans who had traveled to see him and Jimin after their discharge, noting how strange it felt to be back in the public eye. He admitted, "It's been a long time since I've been in front of cameras, and I didn't even put on makeup, so I'm a bit embarrassed. I don't know what to say."

The pair started their military service in December 2023, just one day after RM and V did. RM and V were discharged on Tuesday.

Fans from all over the world gathered at the public sports ground for the event, which had been moved from the military base's entrance due to safety concerns. The streets were filled with colorful buses displaying the faces of the BTS members, while red and yellow balloons floated above and a decorated food truck offered free coffee and water, all of which created a festive atmosphere.

Many supporters wore masks, aware of possible negative reactions after the band's label advised against attending due to safety worries. Despite the difficulties, fans like Anaesi from Portugal stated that the challenging 20-hour trip to Yeoncheon, a town close to the sensitive border with North Korea, was worthwhile.

Anaesi, a devoted BTS fan who found them on YouTube, stated that even though Portugal is a small country, BTS is incredibly popular there. She explained that the group helped her overcome depression, calling them her "angel." She also showed off a colorful tattoo on her upper arm. It featured a golden shield with "ARMY" written on it and an eagle above. Next to it was Korean writing with the names of BTS members and her friends.

V thanked fans on Tuesday for their patience while waiting for him and RM to return, and he hinted at the band's reunion. He said, "If you can just wait a little bit longer, we will come back with a truly amazing performance."

The seven members of the renowned K-pop group intend to reconvene as a band in 2025, subsequent to the completion of their mandatory service.

Six of the group's seven members have already completed their military service. Suga, however, is currently performing his required social service, which is a different type of military duty, and he is expected to finish later this month.

Jin, the eldest member of BTS, completed his military service and was discharged in June 2024, followed by J-Hope in October.

In South Korea, all healthy men aged 18 to 28 must do 18 to 21 months of military service. This is a legal requirement, part of a system designed to prevent attacks from North Korea, which is a rival country.

The law provides special exceptions for athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have won important awards in specific competitions and are thought to have increased national prestige. However, K-pop stars and other entertainers do not receive these benefits.

In 2020, BTS was allowed to postpone their military service until they were 30 years old. This happened after South Korea's National Assembly changed its Military Service Act, which then let famous K-pop artists delay joining the military.

In 2022, there was a lot of public discussion about whether BTS members should be excused from mandatory military service. This debate continued until October 2022, when the group's management announced that all seven members would complete their service.