BTS after military service: physical changes, personal growth and the most anticipated return

The image of a idol of K-pop is not only artistic, but also an implicit contract with standards of beauty and aesthetic perfection, where each public appearance or photograph can become an object of scrutiny y comparison.

In South Koreathe industry imposes ideals of light skin, angular faces, thin or athletic bodies, and an immaculate appearance; and maintaining that projection demands strict diets, intense exercise routines, constant makeup and, many times, minor cosmetic interventions.

BTS has experienced these demands closely. Their international success has put them under constant scrutiny, in which every physical change or gesture can be observed and commented on by millions of fans and media.

In the shadow of that brightness, however, beat the physical wear and tearthe anxiety and the psychological pressure: an emotional cost that rarely transcends the stage, but that sometimes opens the debate about the limits of sacrifice in the entertainment industry.

For years, sexualization or body exposure in K-pop was limited territory. The idols Men rarely showed their torsos, except at specific moments during presentations or «more mature» concepts, and always under a carefully framed moderate.

But now, with the agethe experience and especially after passing through military servicethe members of BTS seem to have developed another level of confidence and security that is reflected in their stage presence and in the way they choose to appear in front of the audience. fans.

BTS reunited in 2025 after completing mandatory military service. Photo: IG @jin

In 2022BTS paused their group activities to allow each member to explore individual projects and, in accordance with South Korean law, comply with mandatory military service. That pause marked a turning point: each member faced a different discipline, far from the rhythm of the stage.

With the closing of that cycle in 2025its reappearance brought with it not only new songs, but physical transformations y emotional that captured global attention.

The group paused its activities in 2022 to fulfill military service in different units. Photo: Pinterest @kookmin_goose_xoxo

While some members returned with a musculature more developed and an image strengthenedothers shared stories about the mental weight of isolation, thus reflecting the wide range that goes from the visible physical impact to the internal reconstruction that implied the longest pause of their careers.

Jin

As the first member to enlist (December 2022) and the first to be discharged, Jin He experienced a symbolic and highly mediatic return.

At the time of his discharge, he was captured in a military uniform and with a moved face: he confessed to having “started to cry during the ceremony” and said that, despite the demands, it was a growth experience.

Jin, the first to complete the service, maintained his characteristic figure and serenity. Photo: IG @jin/Pinterest @somer_V

Jin avoided talking about exhaustion or suffering and preferred to focus on the gratitudewhich gives the sensation of someone who, rather than radically transforming, returned to balance with his image.

Suga

Suga He served as a social worker, a modality that was granted to him due to an injury that exempted him from active military service.

Although his routine did not include intense physical training, the experience involved discipline and commitment, and his return was perceived more introspective how aesthetic: he opted for a low profile and did not make major public appearances until his official return.

Suga showed more introspective changes and is preparing for a new musical stage. Photo: IG @agustd

Known for channeling his emotions into music, it is expected that in BTS’s upcoming projects, such as compositor and one of the main writers of the group, reflects part of this stage of introspection and experience accumulated during military service.

J-Hope

J-Hope He was the second member of BTS to complete military service, and also one of the first to resume his solo career.

J-Hope, the group’s main dancer, revealed a freer and more daring side after his departure from service. Photo: Pinterest @salsyadila/IG @uarmyhope

Shortly before its release, J-Hope posted on Weverse an emotional letter in which he reflected on the passage of time, the initial nerves in training and prioritizing the internal intensity of the process over an external change.

His return with Killin’ It Girl marked a notable change in his image: the artist appeared more confident and comfortable with his body, wearing more daring outfits and renewed energy on stage.

During the promotions of the song, he surprised by introducing himself no shirt or with open shirts, a contrast to his more reserved style of the early years. This new attitude was celebrated by the fans as a sample of maturity y self-confidence after his time in the army.

RM

RM was the one who opened the most frank conversation about the emotional cost of military service. In his first livestream After the discharge he confessed that he suffered insomnia severe, anxiety intense and difficulty compose music.

Through his social networks, he made it clear that he was the one who most hoped to finish this period, since on several occasions he said that I wasn’t having a good time.

RM spoke openly about the anxiety and mental exhaustion experienced during military service. Photo: IG @rkive/Pinterest @kpopeditspin

Physically, the leader of the group reappeared thinner and with a tired and reflective countenance. Upon being discharged, he declared that “it was hard but significant” and confessed to feeling like “a zombie,” an image that reflects the exhaustion that he went through during those months.

He revealed that he trains with Jungkook and V to take care of his health. Photo: YouTube @Masunho

However, the essence of his transformation is discursive: by putting his suffering into words, RM pushed for the narrative of BTS’s next album to not only focus on aesthetics, but also on the inner well-being of the members.

Jimin

Jimin shared the service with Jungkook, and he said that this company helped him cope with the routine.

Jimin and Jungkook shared military service, an experience that brought them even closer together. Photo: IG @jm

In a later letter, he described the days as “repetitive, but with a sense of calm.” At the time of downloading, he thanked the support of ARMY and promised to show what they had prepared during that period.

As the member who showed the most skin over the years in BTS, visually there were no drastic changes in his appearance after military service.

However, it is known that Jimin has faced difficulties related to food and self-esteem, dealing with emotional problems self-demand y eating habits strict, something that coexisted with the discipline and routines of the army.

His physical evolution reflects a constant search for balance between self-demand and personal acceptance. Photo: Pinterest @bia43249/@mrs_sobok_jiminie/@ckhushbu801

The recent look with an open blazer in the Fashion Week from Paris —without anything underneath— grabbed headlines and comments about her natural elegance. Diorits representative brand, presented it as a “symbol of authenticity y freedom”.

V

V was the one who surprised the most with his physical change. As the visual of the group (along with Jin), he stood out for his elegance and stage presence, and in 2024 was voted “the most beautiful man in the world”.

When he published his first photos after being discharged, images went viral showing a noticeably more muscular body and a more robust stance.

V surprised with his physical transformation, going from a delicate elegance to a stronger and more imposing image. Photo: Pinterest @Ragnausert

Weeks later, when sharing new photos training with Jungkook, the stir on social networks was immediate: fans and the media commented on the contrast with his previous figure and the turn towards an image more masculine e imposing.

His time in the Army special forces unit, which involves intense training, explains a good part of his physical development. In later statements, V commented that “resetting mentally and physically” was the best he could do.

V served in one of the most demanding units of the South Korean Army. Photo: Pinterest @thVictory95

Jungkook

Jungkookthe youngest of the group, always stood out for his athletic figure and competitive nature.

But after military service, his musculature reflects both the months of training in the army and the continuity in the gym, remaining one of the strongest members of the group and generating comparisons with V for the title of «most muscular of BTS«.

After service, his imposing image cemented his reputation as a symbol of strength and perseverance. Photo: Weverse @jk

On an emotional level, Jungkook was more introspective, but grateful: wrote in Weverse that “waiting patiently was difficult, but it was worth it,” making it clear that his physical strength is complemented by emotional resilience.

In his case, public perception gravitates both on his body and on the intimacy of the young artist who grew up in the spotlight from his 16 years.

Since his debut at age 16, Jungkook was recognized as the most athletic and disciplined of the group. Photo: Pinterest @nochujimi/@hn7bts/Jkoovx

BTS returns: global expectations after their physical and emotional transformations

When BTS announced their world tour to 2026 and a new albumthey didn’t just promise hitsbut a renewed version of those who went through changes visible and invisible to the public eye.

More than a musical project, the return of BTS will be a reunion of seven artists who went through stages of discipline, physical transformation and emotional growth.

The expectation is twofold: on the one hand, what BTS will sound like in this new era; on the other, how it will be shown on stage. It remains to be seen how they will combine their individual experiences with the return to the stage as a group.