BTS Completes Military Service: Full-Group Comeback and World Tour Announced
BTS, the popular K-pop group, successfully completed their mandatory military service in South Korea. The oldest member, Jin, enlisted as an active-duty soldier in December 2022 and was discharged in June 2024 after serving for about eighteen months. The group managed their activities through solo projects and subunit releases while members fulfilled their military obligations one by one.
South Korea has strict limits on exemptions, with only a few individuals receiving full waivers each year. The 2020 amendment allowed select pop-culture figures to defer their service until age 30 if their cultural contributions were recognized. Despite this, BTS members chose to serve rather than seek permanent exemptions, aligning with the country's emphasis on fairness over special treatment.
All seven BTS members completed their military service by June 2025, paving the way for a full-group comeback scheduled for March 2026 and a world tour spanning 2026 and 2027. Jin was the first member to finish his military duty, setting the pattern for the others. The staggered timeline allowed each member to maintain visibility through individual projects while others were on duty.
With their military service behind them, BTS is now focusing on collective plans. The upcoming comeback in March 2026 will be the first full-group release since the staggered enlistments began. A world tour with over seventy dates across major markets in Asia, North America, and Europe is planned for 2026 and 2027, with high ticket demand leading to additional shows in some cities.
The staggered approach during their military service period allowed BTS members to continue engaging with fans through solo endeavors, maintaining high levels of fan support through streaming and social media. The group's reunion in 2026 comes with an expanded catalog of music and a dedicated audience that remained engaged throughout their service period, showcasing the group's enduring popularity and momentum.