LOOK: BTS’ RM, V receive exemplary awards in military

BTS’ V and RM | Image: @rkive IG

Following their enlistment last December, BTS’ RM delighted their fans as he shared pictures of himself and co-member Taehyung “V” looking dashing in their military uniforms.

On Instagram on January 16, the K-pop sensation group leader posed with V doing the salute gesture and captioned his post with, “Loyalty.”

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A post shared by RM (@rkive)

[completion ceremony] 240116
congratulations rm and v!#BTS pic.twitter.com/QHk51EfoR4

— star_jin (@nightstar1201) January 16, 2024

Several Korean outlets reported that the two members graduated from their basic military training and received excellent performance citations.

“The above person has become an example to others in education, training, and life in the barracks. In particular, he has been selected as an elite trainee by practicing the attitude of dedication to the country, fulfillment of responsibility, and mutual respect during the 23rd–94th training course for new recruits, so we are awarding him a certificate,” read the elite trainee award commendation.

The award is granted to trainees who meet the following criteria, per Korean entertainment portal Koreaboo: 1.5 km run under five minutes and 28 seconds; 3 km run under 12 minutes and 30 seconds; 86 sit-ups or more in two minutes; 72 push-ups or more in two minutes; and 16 out of 20 shooting shots.

The awardees of the exemplary citations will be granted a few perks, including the ability to stay out on the day of the graduation ceremony, early promotion, and reward vacation time.

All seven members of BTS are currently fulfilling their 18-month military service and are expected to reunite in June 2025 for their group activities.

However, HYBE chairman Si-hyuk said last year that 2025 is not a target or promised year for BTS’ resumption of group activities but a hopeful one after they served their military commitment.

“We shared that both [HYBE] and the members hope to be able to resume [group activities] around 2025, not ‘they will resume’ in 2025. On that note, I hope you will not think of this as the target year. But [HYBE] and BTS will try our best,” said Si-hyuk.