BTS Members 'Suffered for a Long Time' Due to Military Enlistment Issues, Leader RM Reveals

BTS leader RM spoke candidly about the K-pop group's struggles due to military enlistment issues.

Following the release of his second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person, RM got candid about his and the other BTS members' experiences before their military enlistments. He spoke in a new video on BANGTANTV's official channel, admitting that they suffered a lot amid the debates on whether or not they should receive exemptions from military service.

"There was so much talk, and sometimes when I went to bars, people didn't realize I was there and said things like, 'Is it right for them to do that?' I heard so many things like that," said RM. "I wondered why I was still here in society. Seeing J-Hope, who is the same age as me, going to the military made me think a lot. 'Is this right?' 'Shouldn't I be going too?'"

Amid the issues, RM also dealt with personal and public incidents which inspired him to create the album. That way, he was able to share what he felt at the time.

RM was enlisted alongside V on December 11, 2023. They are expected to complete their service by June 10, 2025.

BTS' eldest member, Jin, was the first one to start his military service in December 2022. J-Hope and Suga followed in April 2023 and September 2023, respectively.

Meanwhile, Jungkook and Jimin enlisted in December 2023.

In the same BANGTANTV video, RM revealed that Balming Tiger member San Yawn inspired him to join the military later than the expected date.

"He said, 'Why don't you stop being part of BTS for a while and leave a record for yourself after going through all these things?'" RM quoted San Yawn.

The pair also collaborated on RM's new album, which included the title track, "Lost," among the 11 songs. BigHit Music previously told ARMYs on Weverse that the project "captures some of the universal emotions that we all experience at some point in life, such as the feeling of being an outsider who doesn't fit in."

Right Place, Wrong Person came out one year and five months after RM marked his solo debut with Indigo in December 2022. It has since topped Japan's Oricon Daily Album Ranking following the release, while the title track hit No. 1 on the iTunes Top Song charts in 73 countries.

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