A woman walks past a poster showing images of members of South Korean K-pop group BTS in front of a cafe in Seoul on Dec 12, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)
SEOUL/TOKYO - The remaining four members of K-pop supergroup BTS will begin their 18-month military service in South Korea this week, joining three others already serving, with fans pledging to wait until 2025 for them to perform as a group again.
A group of fans braved rainy weather on Monday to bid a temporary farewell to the seven-member band's leader, RM, and vocalist V in front of their boot camp in the central city of Nonsan.
"I think I'll be fine except for one thing, that I won't be able to make happy memories with you for a while, which is the hardest part," V wrote on fan platform Weverse on Monday, wishing fans well and happiness.
RM also wrote that he might be lonely at times, but that the 18 months would be a chance to get new inspiration and learn new things.
A TV screen shows an image of members of South Korean K-pop band BTS during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec 11, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)
The duo were accompanied by other members of the band, including Jimin and Jung Kook who will start their military service on Tuesday, and the three others who were given a day off from military duty, the Yonhap news agency said.
All able-bodied South Korean men aged 18-28 must serve in the military for about two years.
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Known as ARMY, BTS’ global fan base of millions of loyal followers has helped the band support social causes. In 2020, supporters raised more than $1 million for the Black Lives Matter movement in just 25 hours.
Some ARMY fans gathered at a cafe in a Tokyo district known as Korea Town and vowed to wait for their return.
In this file photo dated Dec 13, 2022, fans wait for K-pop band BTS's member Jin to arrive before he enters the army to serve near an army training center in Yeoncheon, South Korea. (PHOTO / AP)
"I feel sad but I think they'll mature more going into the army and come back looking cool so I'm looking forward and want to wait for them," said Ayami Ito, 22, a nursing care worker.
In Seoul, supporters also expressed their sadness.
"It was raining today, and I was a bit depressed," Kim Yong-sun who runs a BTS-themed cafe near the band's agency building.
"ARMY fans came to the cafe and cheered me up. Talking about the members and listening to music, I feel now much better," said Kim, who was wearing a purple cap and hoodie, BTS' signature color.
In this file photo dated May 21, 2021, members of South Korean K-pop band BTS pose for photographers ahead of a press conference to introduce their new single "Butter" in Seoul, South Korea. (PHOTO / AP)
Since announcing a break from group projects in June 2022, BTS members have pursued solo activities before starting military service.
Jin, 30, the oldest member, joined the army last December, followed by j-hope in April and Suga in August.
READ MORE: Media: Four BTS members to begin military service mid-Dec
BTS' global success has triggered debate over whether K-pop artists should be allowed to serve for a shorter term, a perk granted to Olympics and Asian Games medallists and some classical musicians with international achievements.