BTS leader RM opens up on emotional toll of 18-month separation
RM reveals BTS were in 'bad mental state' after military break
BTS leader RM has made a shockingly honest confession about the toll South Korea’s mandatory military service took on all seven members of the world’s biggest boy band.
The 30-something rapper revealed that when Jin completed his service early and returned home, the reunion wasn’t the joyful moment fans might have imagined, but instead an emotional breakdown behind closed doors.
Speaking on Weverse, he admitted, “When Jin-hyung was discharged from the military… everyone was in a bad mental state.”
He added that the members ended up crying together over dinner as they finally confronted how much the enforced separation had affected them.
The group, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, had paused their global domination in June 2022 so each member could complete South Korea’s 18-month military duty, finishing the process by June 2025.
What looked like a smooth break to the outside world was, RM suggests, far more emotionally draining behind the scenes.
The singer said the reunion forced them to realise they needed to “work harder to hold this team together,” hinting at the strain the time apart had placed on their bond.
Despite the difficult return, BTS are now back in full force.
The group reunited publicly in July 2025 and confirmed they are already working on new music for an early 2026 release.
Their comeback has since exploded into a massive world tour, expected to generate over $1 billion across tickets, merch and streaming.
Fans recently saw them cause chaos in Mexico City, where tens of thousands gathered for a surprise appearance.
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