AP PHOTOS: BTS stars Jimin and Jung Kook discharged from military service
K-pop band BTS members Jimin, right, and Jung Kook salute after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
YEONCHEON, South Korea (AP) — Hundreds of fans gathered Wednesday to catch a glimpse of K-pop superstars Jimin and Jung Kook, the latest and final members of BTS to be discharged from South Korea’s mandatory military service.
Supporters traveled from around the world to the public sports ground where the meet-and-greet took place. Color-wrapped buses bearing BTS members’ faces lined the streets while red and yellow balloons floated above and a decorated food truck provided free coffee and water, adding to the festive atmosphere.
A day earlier, RM and V each saluted upon their release in Chuncheon City as about 200 fans, some of whom traveled from Mexico, Turkey and Brazil, cheered.
K-pop band BTS members RM, center left, and V, center right, react after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Chuncheon, South Korea, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
K-pop band BTS members RM, center left, and V, center right, react after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Chuncheon, South Korea, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
K-pop band BTS members Jimin, right, and Jung Kook salute after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
K-pop band BTS members Jimin, right, and Jung Kook salute after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A fan from Thailand waits for arrival of K-pop band BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A fan from Thailand waits for arrival of K-pop band BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Daiane Matos from Brazil, 37, shows her hand as she waits for arrival of K-pop band BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Daiane Matos from Brazil, 37, shows her hand as she waits for arrival of K-pop band BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
K-pop band BTS members RM, bottom, and V react after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Chuncheon, South Korea, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
K-pop band BTS members RM, bottom, and V react after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Chuncheon, South Korea, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
K-pop band BTS members Jimin, right, and Jung Kook hold bouquets after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
K-pop band BTS members Jimin, right, and Jung Kook hold bouquets after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Fans wait for arrival of K-pop band BTS members RM and V before they are discharged from a mandatory military service in Chuncheon, South Korea, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Fans wait for arrival of K-pop band BTS members RM and V before they are discharged from a mandatory military service in Chuncheon, South Korea, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Fans react after she saw K-pop band BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook as they are discharged from a mandatory military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Fans react after she saw K-pop band BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook as they are discharged from a mandatory military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
K-pop band BTS members Jimin, right, and Jung Kook react after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
K-pop band BTS members Jimin, right, and Jung Kook react after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Anaisa Silva, from Portugal, a fan of K-pop band BTS shows a tattoo as they wait for K-pop band BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Anaisa Silva, from Portugal, a fan of K-pop band BTS shows a tattoo as they wait for K-pop band BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook in Yeoncheon, South Korea, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Jin, the oldest member of the K-pop supergroup, was discharged from the army in June 2024. J-Hope was discharged in October.
The seventh member, Suga, is fulfilling his duty as a social service agent, an alternative to military service.
The seven BTS members plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025.
Anaesi, a fan from Portugal, displayed a colorful tattoo featuring a golden shield emblazoned with “ARMY,” along with BTS members’ names in Korean.
She said the group “saved” her from depression. “So for me BTS is my angel,” she said.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.