BTS Members Reveal They Had ‘No One to Talk to’ During Military Separation

While fulfilling their mandatory military service in South Korea, the members of BTS faced many hardships, but none weighed heavier than the profound isolation of being separated from the only people who truly understood their unique journey: one another.

In an interview with Capital Breakfast released Thursday (July 23), RM, Jimin, Jung Kook, SUGA, j-hope, Jin, and V sat down for traditional English tea with host Jordan North. Reflecting on what it was like to reunite after nearly two years apart, Jimin described the moment simply: “It felt like a family reunion.”

The global superstars opened up about the deep sense of loneliness they experienced throughout the hiatus. V admitted, “I felt quite uninspired and bored because I no longer had anyone around who could truly relate to me.”

“Finding someone to genuinely converse with proved remarkably difficult,” SUGA added in agreement.

“While the military does provide peer counselors,” V explained, “I’ve never found it easy to open up to strangers. Consequently, I had virtually no outlet to share my personal anxieties.”

The septet temporarily stepped away from their monumental K-pop career in late 2022 when Jin became the first member to enlist. The remaining members followed in staggered intervals, treating the ARMY to various solo endeavors before the group finally solidified their much-anticipated reunion in 2025.

True to form, the group immediately returned to the studio, crafting their critically acclaimed album ARIRANG, which famously claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 for three consecutive weeks. Currently on a massive supporting tour, the band also made time in July for a historic, high-profile halftime performance alongside Shakira, Madonna, and Justin Bieber at the FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium.

Yet, despite the challenges of their time apart, the members managed to find a few silver linings. Noting V’s physical transformation during their service, Jimin joked on Capital Breakfast, “V looked entirely different when he came back—he really bulked up.”

Watch the complete interview with BTS below:

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