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How HYBE Will Handle BTS’s Absence in 2024

HYBE

HYBE redefined the K-pop landscape when it solidified its position in the ‘Big Four’—the four largest and most influential entertainment companies in the South Korean music industry. All eyes are on HYBE now as it’s getting ready to navigate a year without BTS, its top-selling act.

In 2023, BTS‘s album sales, including the members’ solo projects, constituted 22% of HYBE’s total album sales, underscoring the group’s pivotal role in the company’s revenue stream. With all BTS members in the military, Yuanta Securities is projecting a 0.4% decrease in HYBE’s annual sales for 2024. To mitigate this, HYBE is diversifying its focus to other artists in its stable.

On-point: How will 2024 K-pop scene look without BTS?

Among these artists, SEVENTEEN is set to embark on a stadium tour in January 2024. Meanwhile, ENHYPEN, fromis_9, and &TEAM are preparing for both domestic and international concerts. Other groups such as LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, and TXT are expected to maintain their active presence in the music scene both domestically and internationally. Fans are also eagerly anticipating the return of BTS members Jin and j-hope to the music industry after they’re discharged from the military.

This month, PLEDIS Entertainment, a label under the HYBE umbrella, will debut TWS. This highly-anticipated group marks PLEDIS’s first new boy group since the debut of SEVENTEEN. TWS‘s first EP is scheduled for release on January 22. Additionally, two more groups are set to make their debut in the first half of the year: I’LL-IT, formed through JTBC’s show R U NEXT?, and KATSEYE, created through The Debut: Dream Academy.

HYBE is poised for success in 2024

HYBE is also focusing on its fan community platform and intellectual property (IP). Weverse, which serves as a space for fans to connect with artists, is undergoing functional improvements. It’s also looking to add more artists from Japan, Korea, and the US. The company is also planning to continue its foray into webtoons with new releases, such as the sequel to ENHYPEN’s Dark Moon: The Altar of the Moon. HYBE IPX plans to expand with pop-up stores and continue its urban concert play park project, “The City.”

Binary Korea, a HYBE subsidiary, is teaming up with Sandbox Network to launch a creator-centric fan community platform soon. Additionally, HYBE IM, with a focus on gaming, is poised to release the full version of ASTRA: Knights of Veda in the first quarter. Superton, an AI audio company under HYBE, is developing advanced AI voice solutions for gaming. This indicates HYBE’s ambition to establish a strong foothold in the AI audio industry.

[ASTRA: Knights of Veda] The beginning of the journey.

In line with global market trends, HYBE is adopting more international strategies. Bang Si-hyuk, HYBE’s Chairman, has emphasized the need for K-pop to evolve beyond its traditional boundaries. This evolution is reflected in the recent releases from HYBE artists like Jungkook, LE SSERAFIM, and NewJeans. They had more English lyrics and introduced creative variations to classic K-pop elements, such as intricate choreography.

With a focus on nurturing new groups, enhancing digital platforms, and developing innovative content, HYBE is poised for success in 2024 and beyond. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: HYBE is pulling out all the stops to ensure its continued success despite BTS’s absence. Source: HYBE, PEOPLE.

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BTS Shares ‘Rise to Stardom’ Story in Comic Book ‘Fame: Bts’

BTS in FESTA photos for 2022. Credit: Facebook/BTS

Heads up, ARMYs! On Friday, January 5, multimedia company TidalWave Comics announced its upcoming comic book about the sensational K-pop juggernaut BTS. 

Titled FAME: BTS the comic will follow the journey of the septet as they turn from performers to soldiers.

In particular, the 22-page series will feature the supergroup’s transition to enlistment. To note, all seven members—Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook—are currently fulfilling their mandatory military service. 

Jin, the eldest in the group, became the first member to join the army in December 2022. Meanwhile, BTS leader RM and the“maknae” (youngest) line—Jimin, V, and Jungkook—have only enlisted in December 2023.

According to reports, BTS’ story will be a part of the publisher’s FAME series. Said series will introduce the stories of celebrities including singers, actors, and sports stars. Other installments of FAME featured the global stars Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Demi Lovato, One Direction, among others.

FAME: BTS will be released on both print and digital platforms on January 10. Moreover, it will also be available to read via iTunes, Google Play, GlobalComix, and etc.

In July 2023, the supergroup also released their book, Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS. 

BTS’ promise to meet ARMYs in 2025

Although currently inactive, the group behind the hit tracks “On”, “Dynamite” and “Blood, Sweat & Tears” made a promise to their global fanbase, ARMYs. Prior to enlisting, the septet already reassured their fans that they will be back together in 2025.

Well, this anticipated reunion is closely coming into reality as members Jin and J-Hope are scheduled to be discharged from the military in 2024. In fact, ARMYs would no longer have to wait much longer as Jin and J-Hope are expected to return by June and October of this year, respectively.

As the new year began, Jin also shared a warm message for ARMYs through a short YouTube video. There, he wished the fans a happy new year and reminded them to remain patient as he will soon complete his mandatory service. “Wait just a little bit more, and you’ll be able to see me,” the singer said.

On the other hand, members Suga, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook will all be discharged by 2025. 

According to the group’s agency, BigHit Music, BTS will resume its full-fledged activities as a full group, once all the members complete their service. 

In September 2023, the label announced that all seven members renewed their contracts with BigHit Music. Notably, this was the second time for the full group to renew their contracts. 

See you in 2025, BTS!

Featured image: BTS in FESTA photos for 2022. Credit: Facebook/BTS

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Jimin’s ‘Closer Than This’ Continues To Achieve Impressive Numbers

Jimin from BTS has achieved remarkable success with his digital single “Closer Than This.” Released on December 22, 2023, the song quickly gained traction, achieving 213,757 streams on its first day. It didn’t stop there—it surpassed 1 million streams on Pandora four days later, a record-breaking achievement for a K-pop soloist. (For the uninitiated, Pandora is a music streaming service that’s only available to US-based users.)

The song also debuted at number 20 on Pandora’s Top Thumb Hundred Chart, which ranks songs based on the number of “thumbs up” they receive over 30 days. In its first week, “Closer Than This” accumulated a total of 1,431,048 streams, marking the highest debut week for a K-pop soloist. As of December 26, 2023, Jimin recorded 329,505 monthly listeners on Pandora, maintaining the highest number of listeners among K-pop soloists. He also surpassed 65 million cumulative streams on Pandora, the most among BTS members.

지민 (Jimin) ‘Closer Than This’ Official MV

“Closer Than This” also ranked first for eight consecutive days in four categories (Digital Music New Releases, Digital Music Bestsellers, International New Releases, International Bestsellers) on Amazon US. Finally, on January 3, Billboard US announced that the song debuted atop its Digital Song Sales chart, making it Jimin‘s fifth leader, tying him with his bandmate Jungkook as the Korean soloist with the most No. 1 songs on that chart.

The song’s impressive performance in the US underscores Jimin’s immense popularity in the US. He has so many fans there that Korean media outlets now call the country “Jimmerica,” a portmanteau of “Jimin” and “America.”

X/@PJM_data

His impressive trajectory

Meanwhile, in Japan, Jimin‘s “Closer Than This” topped the Billboard Japan Download Songs chart just three days after its release. This feat made him the only foreign artist to lead this chart with two Korean-language songs in a single year. In 2023, Jimin charted 13 songs on this chart, including five from his album FACE, and notable singles and collaborations like “VIBE” with Taeyang. “Closer Than This” also debuted at No. 84 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, marking his sixth entry on that chart.

The song also performed well on Japan’s Oricon charts. “Closer Than This” ranked first on the daily singles chart on December 22 and 23. On the weekly chart dated January 1, it recorded 1,366 downloads in two days. It went to No. 2, beating out songs by top Japanese artists. This achievement brought his total to 14 solo songs charted on Oricon. 

FACE also performed well in Japan. It ranked third on the Oricon daily albums chart on December 14, and 17th on Oricon’s annual album ranking. Jimin eventually received his very first Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). This was for a K-pop solo artist for a Korean-language album, a continuation of his impressive trajectory.

Jimin’s new gift for ARMY 💜’Closer than this’ 

Only Jimin can break records with a fan song

Jimin released “Closer Than This” to assure his fans that he’ll always be there for them. The song holds special significance as he dropped it before enlisting in the South Korean military. Its lyrics contain references to BTS’s career and their connection with ARMYs worldwide.

“Whenever it rains, I’ll remember the times I sang in the rain/Whenever it snows, I’ll cherish how you smiled for me in the snow/On the spring day we meet again, I’ll tell you everything I couldn’t before/My love, my babe, forever by your side/Seven equals one, right, our hearts still beat as one,” Jimin sings. (Did you catch the reference to one of BTS’s biggest hits in those lines?)

Media outlets worldwide heaped praise on “Closer Than This.” One writer noted that only Jimin can break records with a fan song. Its success is a win for BTS, Jimin, their fans, and the entire K-pop industry as a whole. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The success of ‘Closer Than This’ allows Jimin to maintain a public presence while he’s serving in the South Korean military. Source: X/@bts_bighit.

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BTS’s j-hope Posts New Year’s Message on Weverse

As 2024 dawned in South Korea, BTS‘s j-hope surprised fans with not one, but two heartfelt New Year’s messages. Despite serving in the South Korean military as a special forces soldier, his love for the fans remains unwavering.

His first message was shared across BTS’s official social media channels. As translated by @uarmyvibe on X (formerly known as Twitter), the message read, “Happy New Year, ARMY! It is 2024, everyone. Happy New Year. I sincerely hope that the year 2024 will be filled with only happiness for our ARMY! Let me give you some good news for the new year. Hobi will be discharged within this year. Of course, it’s a bit close to the end. Haha! Around that time, I think gifts for you will be gradually revealed. Please look forward to them! Anyway, as you start 2024 with Hobi’s message, hope will be with you and it will be a good start. More than anything else, health comes first. Don’t be sick! Be happy! I love you!”

@myjellbayanincastro

Letter from Jhope with translations thankyou Uarmyvibe twitter account 🙂 Can’t wait to see you this year Hobi! #BTS #Army #Jhope #happynewyear #Weverse

♬ i need u sped up outsold – Rowan🌷

In a longer post on Weverse, j-hope reflected on his activities in 2023. He talked about going to award shows and Paris on his own, and hinted that he has more surprises in store for ARMY. He also admitted that he’s looking forward to being discharged.

“I enlisted after living busily and intensely. Like that, I’ve already spent nine months as a soldier and am already preparing to see the day of my discharge (of course, it ends in October). What I feel is that I can only think about how I want to show you all a cool side of myself again, even a day earlier, and I miss you all just as much!” he wrote.

j-hope was as optimistic as ever

Despite admitting that he misses and worries about the other BTS members, j-hope was as optimistic as ever in his post. He expressed his excitement for what the next year has in store for all of them.

“While I miss our members too, I also worry, and on one hand, I feel a sense of relatability, which also gives me strength. I can say this because I’ve experienced it first! But I’m sure everybody feels the same,” he continued. “Before sleeping, I think about a lot of things and encounter a variety of dreams. Things that were a given and trivial have become ideal, and for a while, they relieve fatigue and let me release a stiff breath. My sleep tonight, as we transition to the new year, will be like that too, right? The day I faithfully finish my military duty makes me even more full of energy for the beginning of 2024.”

@ghabbie31

j-hope message in weverse💜💜 thanks hobiyahhh,we miss you always, happy new year hobiyahhh 💜💜army around the world were happy to read you’re message 💜💜our NEW YEAR is much happy💜💜we miss our 7 boys💜💜see u all in 2025💜I love you always 💜💜happy NEW YEAR hobiyahhh 💜 #jhope💜💜💜💜 💜#myhappypill💟 #foreverlove #foreverarmy💜💜💜 #foreverbts💜💜 #myot7king#APOBANGPO💜💜💜

♬ Jimin closer than this – nosyaa95

He sent birthday greetings to fellow member V, who enlisted last December. Finally, he left well-wishes for ARMY. “Anyway, I definitely moved and endured 2023 thanks to all of you. It’s sudden, but I still wanted to try and express it. Receive a lot of new year blessings for 2024! Our reality and ideals, our ARMY, our members, let’s not be sick and be happy! I love you!” 

Because of his messages, ARMYs worldwide are more excited than ever for j-hope’s return to the entertainment scene. As far as they’re concerned, October 2024 can’t come fast enough. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: With his New Year messages, j-hope proved the fans are always on his mind. Source: X/@bts_bighit, X/@InPandoraWorld.

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BIBI Admits Having BTS’ RM and Jungkook Phone Numbers

BIBI might be closer to some BTS members than initially expected. The “Animal Farm” singer revealed she has the personal numbers of RM and Jungkook. Hilariously, she then asked the idols’ fans not to be angry with her for having the contact.

BIBI Admits Having RM and Jungkook’s Contact Numbers on Her Phone

In a recent interview with Glamour magazine, singer BIBI gave fans a glimpse into her phone and shared details about her contacts, revealing that she has the numbers of BTS members RM and Jungkook.

When asked about the most famous person in her contacts, BIBI mentioned RM, but she hesitated, indicating that they might not be that close, and humorously added, “We’re not that close,” while expressing uncertainty about whether RM still uses the same number.

BIBI then disclosed that she also has Jungkook’s contact, another BTS member, in her phone. However, she playfully insisted that she is not close with either of them, addressing ARMY (BTS’s fanbase) and jokingly saying, “ARMY, don’t come for me.” She quickly clarified herself, stating that she didn’t want any haters and expressing her love for ARMY.

The revelation of having RM and Jungkook’s contacts sparked interest and excitement among fans. However, some ARMY members expressed their frustration playfully, pointing out that BIBI has had the members’ contact information all this time, yet there hasn’t been any indication of a collaboration song. The desire for collaborations between popular artists is common among fans, and the playful complaints from ARMYs reflected their anticipation for such a collaboration.

BTS, including RM and Jungkook, is currently serving in the military. Despite the physical distance and their busy schedules, fans are always hopeful for future collaborations that could bring together diverse talents within the music industry. BIBI’s candid revelation about having BTS members’ contacts added a lighthearted moment to the interview, showcasing the friendly dynamics between artists within the industry.

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UMI Releases BTS V Collaboration Single “wherever u r” On His Birthday

BTS’s V marked his birthday with a special release, delighting fans worldwide. American singer-songwriter UMI collaborated with V on the new song titled “wherever u r,” which was released on December 30 at 2 p.m. KST. The timing of the release added to the excitement, aligning with V’s birthday celebration.

BTS V Surprises Fans With Collab Single ‘wherever u r’ with UMI

The collaboration between V and UMI was met with enthusiasm from ARMYs, who expressed their joy over the special music video dropping on V’s birthday. In addition to the official lyric video for “wherever u r,” UMI shared a delightful video featuring herself and V singing along to the new single, offering fans an intimate glimpse into the collaboration process.

BIGHIT MUSIC, BTS’s management company, commented on the collaboration, stating, “V and UMI enjoyed listening to one another’s music [before working together on this song]. Through this collaboration, the two of them conveyed the messages they wanted to tell their fans through music.”

How BTS V Prepared Fans For His Military Enlistment

V, who released his debut solo album “Layover” on September 8, 2023, has continued to make waves in the music industry. “Layover” also recorded the highest first-week sales by a K-pop solo artist in history, with 2.1 million copies sold, and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 in the US. This accomplishment also solidified V’s status as one of the highest-charting Korean solo artists in Billboard chart history, alongside his BTS bandmates Jimin and Suga.

In recent news, V addressed speculations about his military service, particularly regarding joining the “Special Duty Team.” He acknowledged it as a personal challenge and also reassured fans that he would take care of himself during the enlistment period. Alongside BTS leader RM, V officially began his mandatory military service on December 11, 2023, marking a significant chapter in his journey.

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IU Admits Suga Is NOT The First BTS Member She Wanted To Work With

IU has already proven that she has a wonderful working relationship with Suga. However, the “Red Shoes” singer was initially undecided on working with the “Daechwita” rapper. As it turns out, IU had a different BTS member that she wanted to work with in the past!

IU Reveals First BTS Member She Wanted to Collaborate With

In a recent revelation on the latest episode of “Suchwita”, IU shared an interesting anecdote about her collaboration preferences, indicating that Suga was not initially the BTS member she had in mind for a musical partnership. The revelation offers fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse into IU’s creative process and the dynamics that led to her collaborations with BTS members.

Surprisingly, IU initially sought to collaborate with RM and not Suga. When asked about the type of song she would have created with RM, IU hinted that it might have been “something really serious,” reflecting her mindset at the time. However, despite obtaining RM’s contact information from Suga, IU never reached out to the BTS leader.

IU confessed that even asking for RM’s contact details required a significant amount of courage. However, being unfamiliar with RM and lacking a pre-existing connection, she hesitated to make the call and ultimately abandoned the idea of collaboration. It highlights the challenges artists may face in reaching out to potential collaborators, especially when there isn’t a pre-established relationship.

Interestingly, IU’s shift in interest led to the creation of “Eight,” a song that eventually became a collaboration with Suga. During the creative process, IU realized that working with someone her age would be more fitting for the project, and she deemed Suga, a fellow 1993-liner, as the ideal collaborator. The decision resulted in the successful and well-received collaboration between IU and Suga on “Eight.”

This revelation adds depth to the narrative surrounding IU’s creative journey and showcases the intricate decision-making process that artists undergo when selecting collaborators. It also sheds light on the organic nature of creative partnerships, where unexpected choices can lead to the development of meaningful and successful projects. Fans appreciate the transparency and authenticity shared by IU, providing them with a deeper understanding of the artist’s mindset and artistic evolution.

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KORAIL Employee Who Violated BTS’ RM’s Privacy Has Been Reinstated

The Korean Railway Corporation (KORAIL) has found itself in the midst of controversy as reports emerge of the reinstatement of an employee, referred to as “A,” who had been dismissed for illegally accessing personal data about BTS leader RM.

KORAIL Reinstates Employee Who Violated BTS RM’s Privacy

According to Dispatch, the decision to reinstate “A” came after a second review of the offense by the Central Labor Relations Commission. The employee, previously in charge of IT development at KORAIL, reportedly accessed RM’s personal information, including ticket details, address, and mobile phone number, over a period of three years starting in 2019.

It was revealed that “A” admitted to accessing RM‘s reservation information with the intention of seeing him in person. Furthermore, they shared details about the BTS leader’s seat with a friend to allow them to reserve a nearby seat. KORAIL acknowledged that “A” was a fan and characterized the actions as stemming from curiosity rather than malice.

Why The KORAIL Employee’s Reinstatement Might Be A Bad Move

The breach of privacy raised serious concerns as it violated the Personal Information Protection Act, which stipulates that customer information should only be accessed for necessary service processing. Unauthorized access to personal data, especially for non-business purposes, is strictly prohibited.

In addition to accessing RM’s information, “A” reportedly engaged in similar unauthorized access to personal data belonging to other KORAIL employees. The breach was brought to light during an internal audit, leading to the termination of “A’s” employment.

Despite the severity of the privacy breach, the reinstatement decision has sparked controversy and raised eyebrows. The initial dismissal of “A’s” application for a review highlighted the gravity of the situation. However, the subsequent reversal of this decision by the Central Labor Relations Commission has left many questioning the ethics and principles governing the protection of individuals’ private information.

This incident sheds light on the challenges organizations face in balancing the rights of employees with the need to maintain a secure and respectful work environment. The decision to reinstate “A” emphasizes the importance of a thorough examination of privacy breaches and calls for a reevaluation of the existing legal framework governing personal data protection in the workplace. The controversy surrounding KORAIL’s decision serves as a reminder of the ongoing discussions and efforts needed to safeguard individuals’ privacy in an increasingly digitalized world.

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Revisiting the Message BTS’s V Left for Fans Before Enlistment

As Kim Taehyung, better known as BTS’s V, continues his military service, we decided to revisit the emotional moments leading up to his enlistment. This is the second in a series of stories looking back at our last moments with him and the other members of BTS who enlisted this month.

On December 11, V entered the Nonsan Army Training Center in Chungcheongnam-do to begin his basic military training. V’s tenure as an active-duty soldier will last 18 months, with his discharge scheduled for June 2025.

@jkgolden_maknae_

taehyung revealing Jungkook’s shaved hair in a facetime call 💜 #jungkook #taehyung #armybtsforever #fyp #pourtoi #bts #taekook

♬ love maze – keehoswife⁷

V reached out to ARMYs through SNS

Before going to the training center, V reached out to ARMYs through social media. On Instagram, he posted a screenshot of a video call with fellow BTS member Jungkook, with the caption, “Hyung is going first. Enlist safely tomorrow.” This simple yet profound message highlighted the deep bond between the BTS members.

V also took to Weverse. He posted a message that read, “I think I’ll miss you all so much. Honestly, I’m sad that I can’t make happy memories with ARMY for the time being, but besides that, it’ll be fine. The hardest thing is not being able to see ARMY. After 18 months, I’ll return in really good health, so ARMY, take good care of your health, and if you spend each day looking for happiness, I will appear saying, ‘Ta-da! I’m here!’”

To ensure his fans wouldn’t feel his absence too keenly, he diligently arranged several surprises for them. “I prepared various things for those 18 months, so please look forward to it. As we always have, let’s make precious memories after I return. I will really miss you, and I really love you, so please wait for me until then. I will return soon! Bye!”

@taehyungielover10

#CapCut 🌟 Tae crew write a farewell letters for Taehyung and filmed a Vlog for him 😭❤️ They also made a cake for him 🥹 #v #bts #bts_official_bighit #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #foryou #foryoupage #trend #ontranding #viral #unfreezemyacount

♬ original sound – taehyungie lover ❤️‍🩹

A surprise from the ‘Taecrew’

V also acknowledged his dedicated staff on the eve of his enlistment. Sharing on his Instagram story on December 10 KST, he stated, “Our Taecrew’s letters are so cute, and they even made a vlog that I love, sending me a video message. I was deeply moved. I’ll go and return well!”

Accompanying his words were images of a rolling paper filled with farewell messages from V’s team and a special cake featuring a bear dressed as a member of the South Korean military’s Capital Defense Command unit, which V is set to join. The cake added a light-hearted touch to the farewell, showcasing the strong bond between V and his team.

Fans, moved by these gestures, flooded social media with messages of encouragement and love for V as he embarked on this new chapter of his life. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Like the others, V paused to address ARMYs before enlisting in the South Korean military. Source: Instagram/@thv.

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Looking Back on Jimin and Jungkook’s Emotional Goodbyes

BTS’s Jimin and Jungkook, who have been serving in the military for some time now, continue to be dearly missed by their fans, ARMYs. Reflecting on this, we are starting a series of stories looking back at our last moments with them before their enlistment.

Jimin and Jungkook had held emotional live broadcasts to bid farewell to their fans. On December 11, prior to their enlistment, Jimin appeared with a shaved head, symbolizing the beginning of his military journey. He also expressed his mixed feelings by saying, “I’m enlisting tomorrow, so I’m here. I’ll go and come back safely! Now that I’ve shaved my head, it’s starting to feel real.”

[SUB] Jimin Weverse Live 🔴 (11 DEC 2023) | Jimin live

Jimin couldn’t help but get emotional

He spoke about sending off RM and V. “I saw Namjoon–hyung and Taehyung enlisting; they went in smiling! They said they’ll go and come back healthy. I miss them lots too, but if we go and come back quickly, the time of us getting back together will come sooner. I will be enlisting together with Jungkook, so I think I will be able to rely on him a lot. Yes, SUGA–hyung is doing well too! And Namjoon–hyung and Taehyung-hyung will do well. Jin-hyung and Hobi–hyung are doing well, and JK and I will do well too.”

Discussing his future plans, Jimin shared, “I’ll come back with lots of growth and work on the things I can! Actually, something the members and I said a lot is that we really want to tour together. Since Seokjin–hyung went [to the army], we’ve worked hard on our own things and been going at it. A year has gone past with us putting our all into it. We really talked about wanting to tour together again. We’ll do a lot of the things we want to do once we’re back! The members and I talk about how much we want to tour, do a tour, concert, release albums. Once we’re back, hopefully, that time will come soon.”

Jimin’s reveal of his shaved head, initially hidden under a beanie, was a poignant moment for fans. Despite previously stating he wouldn’t show his hair, Jimin shared this significant change with ARMYs anyway. He couldn’t help but get emotional when he did.

[SUB] Jungkook Weverse Live 🔴 11.12.2023 | jungkook live

Jimin and Jungkook will serve together

Jungkook, on the other hand, approached his farewell in a more playful manner. In a previous livestream, he humorously sprinted by the camera. He later revealed just a glimpse of his buzz cut. In his final broadcast of 2023, Jungkook reflected on his day and the upcoming enlistment, “It looks like this will be my last live before enlisting. Today, I just sent off V–hyung and Namjoon–hyung, then ate a meal and did some things I needed to do, so the live ended up being a little late, sorry.”

Expressing his gratitude to fans, Jungkook said, “I’ll go and come back safely. Now that it’s the day before, my heart feels… a bit iffy? But I need to sleep tonight so I can concentrate tomorrow and stuff too. Everyone, thank you so much for all of you always cheering for us and supporting us until now when we’re enlisting. Please be and stay healthy and happy.”

Luckily, while Jimin and Jungkook did separate live broadcasts to say goodbye to ARMY, they’ll be together while they serve in the military, as they signed up for the dongbanipdae or buddy system. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ARMYs cried when Jimin choked up. Meanwhile, Jungkook tried to keep things light. Instagram/@uarmyhope, X/@boraboravie.

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