BTS RM Breaks Hearts With Revelations About Band's Military Term; ARMYs Recall 'Swollen Eyes Because They Cried'

BTS

leader RM probably did the most candid and personal Weverse chat with ARMYs on May 28. And apart from taking us behind-the-scenes of how the band's latest comeback album ARIRANG was made, and stories about every track, the rapper's heart-to-heart confessions about what the members mean for each other, how they stay glued despite crossing 30, post each one's military discharge, what they went through during the hiatus period, is what left the global fandom having a meltdown. These were things that many believed remained in front of everyone's eyes, just that nobody knew what the OT7, comrising RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, were going through during the tough phase.

RM revealed what happened on Jin's discharge day

BTS announced a work hiatus and military enlistment, sending ARMYs into a frenzy. The seven members started their services based on age, and with Jin being the oldest of the septet, he was the first one to enlist in December 2022. He was also the first to serve his 18 months of mandatory military service and was discharged on June 12, 2024. Notably, on Jin's discharge day, all the members came to welcome him back, giving fans a rare moment of joy. While everyone was still serving at that time, yet they made it a point to take some time off for their Jin hyung.

Playing his favourite saxophone, RM came casually dressed, along with J-Hope and V, though Jungkook and Jimin, who were posted together, arrived in their military uniforms.

BTS' emotional struggles during military services

During the Weverse live on May 28, RM went on to share what exactly happened on that day, and why Jin's discharge became an tearjerking outburst for every other member. Reflecting on the group's military enlistment period, RM opened up about the emotional struggles faced by the members of BTS while serving in the military. He recalled that around the time Jin was discharged, nearly a year before the rest of the group, the members were going through one of their most emotionally difficult phases.

RM shared that after Jin completed his service, the members reunited at Jimin's home. The gathering became an emotional moment for the group, as they finally had the opportunity to openly discuss the pressure, uncertainty, and exhaustion they had been carrying during enlistment."Right around the time Jin hyung was discharged from the military, which was a year before the rest of us were discharged, everyone's mental state wasn't very good. So, when Jin hyung got discharged, and around the time I played the saxophone, after his discharge, we all gathered together at Jimin's place," RM began.

Jungkook's tough phase

He specifically mentioned Jungkook, revealing that the singer was struggling deeply at the time. According to RM, Jungkook broke down in tears and spoke honestly about the burden he felt regarding the future of the team. "At that time, Jungkook was also going through an incredibly tough period. Honestly, we were all struggling, especially since we were still serving our military duties. And Jungkook was crying his eyes out and telling me that as the older brother, I needed to put in even more effort to keep the team together. We talked about things like that and had many deep and honest conversations between us," he added.

Emotional fans discuss pressures of military services

RM's revelation resonated strongly with fans, offering a rare glimpse into the emotional weight the members carried behind the scenes while maintaining BTS's legacy during their temporary hiatus. Fans flooded social media with emotional shoutouts and reactions about the unity and brotherhood of BTS members. Many even recalled the photo the members had posted back then, realising the selfie was taken right after the tearful reunion.