BTS Military Discharge Date: What Most People Get Wrong

BTS Military Discharge Date: What Most People Get Wrong

Everyone is talking about the comeback. Honestly, it's all you see on social media lately. But if you're trying to pin down the exact BTS military discharge date for every member, you've probably noticed the dates are all over the place. Some people think they’re already back. Others are waiting for a June reunion that actually happened months ago.

The reality? The "military era" is technically over, but the return to the stage is a whole different beast.

Let's be real—tracking seven different schedules across three different years is a headache. You have some members who finished way back in 2024 and others who didn't take off the uniform until the middle of 2025. If you're feeling a bit lost in the timeline, you aren't alone.

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The Official BTS Military Discharge Date Timeline

The discharge process wasn't a single event. It was a slow burn. It started with Jin and ended with Suga, spanning roughly a year of staggered returns.

Here is how the dates actually shook out:

  • Jin (Kim Seok-jin): June 12, 2024. He was the first in and the first out. He basically spent his first day of freedom hugging fans at FESTA.
  • J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok): October 17, 2024. He finished his 18 months as an instructor at the 36th Infantry Division.
  • RM (Kim Nam-joon): June 10, 2025. The leader returned alongside V, making it a double celebration.
  • V (Kim Tae-hyung): June 10, 2025. He served in the Special Mission Team (SDT) and looked like a literal action movie star the entire time.
  • Jimin (Park Ji-min): June 11, 2025. One day after the leaders, Jimin officially became a civilian again.
  • Jungkook (Jeon Jung-kook): June 11, 2025. He enlisted with Jimin under the "companion" system, so they finished their service together.
  • Suga (Min Yoon-gi): June 21, 2025. Because of a previous shoulder injury, Suga served as a Social Service Agent. This role is longer than active duty (21 months), making him the final member to complete his service.

Why the June 2025 Reunion Felt Different

You might remember the chaos of June 2025. It was the 12th anniversary of the band. HYBE (their agency) basically draped the headquarters in Seoul with massive "We Are Back" logos.

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Even though all members were technically "out" by June 21, 2025, they didn't just drop an album the next day. A lot of fans expected a 2025 world tour. That didn't happen. Why? Because after 18 to 21 months of rigid military discipline, you can't just hop on a plane and do a 3-hour stadium show.

They needed time to be human. To see family. To get back into "idol shape."

The Confusion Over Suga’s Service

Suga’s BTS military discharge date was the most frequently misquoted. Since he wasn't in a traditional army barracks, his schedule followed a 9-to-5 style office job format. This meant he finished later than the others who enlisted at the same time. His discharge on June 21, 2025, was the official closing of the enlistment chapter for the entire group.

What Happens Now in 2026?

It is currently 2026, and the "waiting game" has shifted. We are no longer counting down to a discharge; we are counting down to the BTS World Tour 2026.

The group officially confirmed their comeback for March 20, 2026. They sent out handwritten letters to fans on New Year's Day. RM mentioned in a recent livestream that they started working on the new album almost immediately after the final discharge in 2025, but they wanted the production to be perfect.

The tour is set to kick off on April 9, 2026, in Seoul. It’s huge. We’re talking 79 shows across 34 cities. They’re using a 360-degree "in the round" stage design. If you've ever tried to buy BTS tickets before, you know the stress level is about to be through the roof.

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Don't Forget the Reserve Forces

One thing most people ignore: the military isn't totally done with them. In South Korea, once you're discharged, you enter the Reserve Forces. For the next eight years, members like Jin and J-Hope have to attend annual training for a few days a year.

It’s not a big deal for their schedule—usually just 1 to 3 days—but it means they still have to put the uniform back on occasionally. Jin actually started his reserve training earlier this year. It won't stop them from touring, but it's a reminder of the reality of service in Korea.

Actionable Steps for the 2026 Comeback

If you’ve been out of the loop since the last BTS military discharge date, here is how to get ready for the 2026 activities:

  1. Check your Weverse Membership: Ticket pre-sales for the 2026 world tour drop on January 22, 2026. If your membership has expired, you'll be stuck in the general sale, which is basically a bloodbath.
  2. Verify the March 20 Release: Mark your calendar for the album drop. This is their first full-group project since Proof in 2022.
  3. Watch the "Permission to Dance – Live" (2025 Release): If you missed it, they released a live album in July 2025 to bridge the gap while they were recording the new stuff. It’s the best way to get hyped for the live vocals.
  4. Follow Individual Milestones: V just became the most followed Korean male artist on Instagram. Even when they aren't together, the metrics are moving. Stay updated on their solo accounts for "behind-the-scenes" rehearsal clips that have been popping up lately.

The era of waiting for discharge dates is over. Now, it’s all about the music.