Just a day after RM and V were discharged from the military, Jimin and Jungkook stood before the media and fans on Wednesday morning at Yeoncheon Public Stadium in Gyeonggi Province, marking the end of their 18-month mandatory military service.

The two were seen in uniform, holding bouquets of flowers prepared by Big Hit, stepping out to a warm welcome and shouting "Salute!" before briefly saying thank you. Both appeared shy as they reconnected with their supporters after a long absence.

Jimin and Jungkook enlisted under the "Companion Soldiers" buddy system in December 2023 as active-duty sol∂ιєrs in the Army's 5th Infantry Division. Jimin served as an artilleryman and Jungkook as a cook. 

The two members are the only BTS duo enlist like that with the goal of helping each other adjust to military life for 18 months. When the two enlisted, fans were relieved to know that they were together but also curious about the reason for this decision.

Until today, during a live broadcast to meet ARMYs on Weverse, the two shared about their situation for the first time. Jimin υиєχρє¢тє∂ly confessed that his initial thoughts were shattered by the actual situation of the boot camp.

“I didn't know. I would be so happy to be with Jungkook so I enlisted with him...But how could we possibly go to the front lines? ㅋㅋ I don't know. We didn’t even think about that possibility, so… yeah, it was a bit ѕнσ¢кing", Jimin chuckled as he recalled, and Jungkook laughed along.

He continued: "I don't think I'll ever forget those eyes when I first went there. When I went there, I thought they'd say "Oh, you're a celebrity?" but everyone just looked at me with pitiful eyes and said "Why did you come here...?""

Jungkook added: "And even when I came, they asked me why I came here".

Meanwhile, Jimin and Jungkook's military life from the first day of training until their official military service was never easy to adapt to. But fortunately, because they enlisted together, they supported each other to overcome it.

Jimin recalled: “I was really worried when enlisting, but Jungkook was okay,” adding, “I was incredibly distressed when I entered the training center, and I struggled every single day for five weeks. I would be miserable after eating, before going to bed, and even before brushing my teeth. But Jungkook gave me strength at that time. He would say things like, ‘Hyung, a day has pαѕѕed, now two days have pαѕѕed, isn’t time going by fast?’ I was really grateful.”

He mentioned, “But things changed after we were αѕѕigned to our units. At that point, I was the one telling Jungkook, ‘A day has pαѕѕed.’ We really relied on each other a lot. And despite all the worries we had, everyone we met in the military turned out to be really nice.”

Note that the frontline army is the vanguard of national defense - also a place that is always on high alert in the face of battles. Not only that, but the situation on the border between North and South кσяєα has also changed a lot over the past year.

Coupled with the harsh climate conditions and lack of facilities due to being in the border area, it is understandable why Jimin and Jungkook were so surprised. But at least the two supported each other to overcome and adapt for 18 months.

Now that the difficult time has pαѕѕed, fans are moved to see the boys return healthy:

- I'm glad they both returned safely. Welcome back our golden boys

- rather suffer with you, than suffer alone. GO!

- This man was essentially like "anywhere with you is better than being without you"

- Imagine how overwhelming it must have been to be on the frontlines. Dont wanna say much just that m so proud of you both. You did well.

- The sacrifices it took just to be able to be there for each other. I love you both so much and I’m so happy you had each other through all of this.

- Same energy as going to same school as your friend but everythings 50× harder

- that must feel so overwhelming like thats crazy

- This is нєαятвяєαкιиg honestly. Luckily, they went together and support each other in the hardest time

- must be really tough in that area, but they still went on cos they want to be together