Lee Jae-sang Discusses BTS’ Anticipated Comeback Plans
During the recent shareholders’ meeting held on March 31, 2025, CEO of HYBE, Lee Jae-sang, provided insights into the eagerly awaited return of BTS. According to reports from the South Korean media outlet OSEN, he confirmed that preparations for the comeback are already in progress.
Lee noted that the members would require time to plan their activities thoroughly after completing their military service in June. This careful approach underscores their commitment to ensuring a well-orchestrated comeback.
“BTS members are scheduled to complete their military service and return at the end of the first half of this year, so they will need time to prepare and work for their activities after their return,”he stated.
The Creative Process: Balancing Company Initiatives and Artist Input
Lee elaborated on the ongoing collaboration with top producers while highlighting the importance of BTS’s artistic direction. As globally recognized artists, the members are encouraged to reflect on their future before diving into new projects.
“The company is also preparing by discussing with top-tier composers, but the artists (BTS members) also need to think carefully and prepare. Normally, we work on a song, release an album, and then go on tour, but since BTS has already become a global top artist, we are continuing to discuss their vision and what’s next. We need to think about the direction for this and work towards it accordingly,”Lee commented.
The Countdown to Military Service Completion
BTS members are nearing the end of their required military service, which they undertook between 2022 and 2023, in accordance with South Korea’s conscription laws mandating 18 to 21 months of service for all capable men.
As of March 2025, members RM, V, Jungkook, Jimin, and Suga have completed approximately 80% of their service. Suga began his role as a social service worker due to health considerations and is projected to complete his service on June 21, 2025.
RM and V started their military commitment on December 11, 2023. The following day, Jimin and Jungkook also enlisted as active-duty soldiers within the South Korean Army. Notably, V distinguished himself by completing special training with the elite Special Duty Team (SDT), achieving a commendable rank.
Both Jimin and Jungkook excelled in their five-week training at the Army’s 5th Division Recruit Training Center in Yeoncheon, with Jimin recognized as the top recruit and assigned to an artillery unit within the 5th Infantry Division.
In an inspiring update, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have now attained the rank of Sergeant. They expressed their excitement about this milestone in heartfelt letters to their dedicated fanbase, ARMY, through the social platform Weverse. RM and V are set to conclude their service on June 10, 2025, followed by Jimin and Jungkook a day later.
Solo Pursuits: Jin and j-hope Make Waves
Jin was the first BTS member to enlist, doing so in December 2022, and he completed his military service in June 2024. Following him, j-hope enlisted in April 2023 and returned in October 2024.
Since his discharge, Jin has been actively pursuing solo career opportunities across various entertainment sectors, including music and television. His debut solo album, Happy, released on November 15, 2024, has received critical acclaim, establishing a significant milestone in his artistic journey.
The six-track album showcases Jin’s talents in songwriting and production, featuring collaborations with renowned artists like Gary Barlow, Wendy of Red Velvet, and Taka from One Ok Rock. Happy‘s successful launch led to it topping the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart, while its lead single, “Running Wild,”soared to the number one position on the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart.
Remarkably, Happy recorded over 953,000 pre-sales in its first week, making it the highest-selling solo album in South Korea for 2024, according to Hanteo Chart’s daily statistics.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Jin is set to become a regular cast member of the Netflix variety show Daehwanjang Gianjang in 2025, while continuing to host his own program, Run Jin.
Simultaneously, j-hope has resumed performing with his solo world tour, HOPE ON THE STAGE, following military service. The tour kicked off with three concerts at Seoul’s KSPO Dome beginning February 28, 2025, before expanding into North America at major venues like Barclays Center in New York and BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, j-hope’s Asian tour will include performances in various cities, with Manila, Saitama, Singapore, and Jakarta among the stops, culminating in a final show in Osaka on June 1, 2025.
In 2025, j-hope also released new music, collaborating with Grammy-winning artist Miguel on “Sweet Dreams”on March 7, followed by “Mona Lisa”on March 21.
Looking Forward: The High Expectations for BTS’ Reunion
As the remaining BTS members approach the conclusion of their military service, excitement is palpable among fans for the group’s full comeback. While each member actively explores individual endeavors, ARMY fans are eager to see how the members will reunite and what they will present upon their return to the global stage.