Countdown to BTS comeback: Inside BigHit Music’s high-stakes plan for group’s full reunion

SEOUL – “You waited for me, now what do you want? Say it all,” replied BTS member V when a fan asked, “Only nine days left before discharge – are you ready, Taehyung?” during a Weverse chat on June 1.

Excitement is mounting among BTS fans, or Army, worldwide as all seven members of the K-pop boy band will have completed their military service by the end of June. This marks the end of a nearly two-year hiatus, paving the way for a highly anticipated group comeback.

RM, 30, and V (whose real name is Taehyung), 29, will be discharged on June 10, followed by Jimin, 29, and Jungkook, 27, on June 11. Suga, 32, who is a social service worker as an alternative form of duty, is scheduled for release on June 21.

This marks the end of BTS’ military enlistment period, which began in December 2022 with Jin, 32. Jin and J-Hope, 31, who completed their service in 2024, have resumed solo activities.

As the final discharge dates approach, speculation is swirling about when BTS will resume group activities. Industry insiders anticipate a group comeback as early as the end of 2025 or in the first half of 2026.

Jin, J-Hope take lead with global solo concerts

In the meantime, solo efforts by members have kept the group’s presence strong, both musically and in fan engagement. Jin, the first to return, has announced his first solo fan concerts, Runseokjin EP Tour. It will take place on June 28 and 29 at Goyang Sports Complex, just outside Seoul.

The concert is a spin-off of his solo variety series, Run Jin, and symbolises his direct outreach to global fans. Seokjin is Jin’s Korean name.

Following the Seoul concert, he will embark on a global tour, performing 18 shows across nine cities: Chiba and Osaka in Japan; Anaheim, Dallas, Tampa and Newark in the US; London in the UK; and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, J-Hope will conclude his global tour at the same venue it started, with an encore concert, J-Hope Tour Hope On The Stage Final, on June 13 and 14.

“We’re preparing thoroughly so that J-Hope’s signature explosive energy and immersive performance can be felt to the fullest,” said BTS’ record label BigHit Music.

During the concert, J-Hope will debut a new digital single, Killin’ It Girl (feat. GloRilla). The hip-hop track and its music video will be released on June 13.

J-Hope began his world tour on Feb 28 at KSPO Dome in Seoul and went on to perform 31 shows in 15 cities – including New York, Chicago, Mexico City, Manila, Saitama, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Macao, Taipei and Osaka – drawing some 470,000 fans.

“Fans, myself included, are eagerly waiting to see what new synergies emerge from among the members. Of course, we’re also excited to see them perform their old favourites,” said Yale University sociology professor Grace Kao, who also lectures on K-pop.

“Given how J-Hope and Jin have showcased more mature versions of themselves, it’s likely that BTS’ new music will reflect that evolution. The members’ individual identities will likely stand out more in the group’s next chapter,” she added.

BTS Festa returns bigger with fan-centred experiences

The 2025 BTS Festa, an annual celebration of BTS’ debut in 2013 on June 13, will take place at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi province, on June 13 to14, shortly after all members, except Suga, are discharged. Fans are buzzing over the possibility of surprise appearances or special events involving the full group.

The 2025 Festa, which opened on June 1, features an expanded set-up with more than 20 exhibition booths across two halls. Highlights include a giant Army Bomb (the official BTS light stick) light show and photo zone; Voice Zone, featuring members’ voice messages; Trophy Zone, displaying the group’s achievements; and BTS Locker, which exhibits members’ personal items.

For fans unable to attend, BTS are also rolling out diverse online content between June 2 and 13, including Hoseokjin Photos, Anchor Showdown, Hoseokjin’s 12:00 and 20130613 Congratulations, offering global fans a chance to participate in the festivities. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK