So I was fine until I saw Namjoon...
Yeah, you know where this is going. This goodbye thing is not going to get easier, is it?
It’s interesting how I am reacting to this BTS one-by-one they’re leaving (Jimin’s words, not mine) thing. I’m just an American woman, a half a world away, with two decades on BTS, and have never served in the military. And I never will, thanks to my age now and disinterest when I was younger.
But here I am, watching today’s Bangtan Bomb on Hobi’s Tuesday send-off into the Korean Army, feeling really sad. The spring sky in Korea was crying, and we were too.
I felt a pang when Jin left, but it was different. It was more like the shock from seeing it happen. The mandatory enlistment question has been chasing BTS since 2018, and intensifying in its swirling from 2020-on thanks to the K-media gossip and the machinations of cruel government types. BTS shut the shit down by announcing after the October Busan concert that they were going to serve their enlistments. Bangtan went bulletproof and took power over their fates back.
We all cheered.
But then when Jin went in on Dec. 13, 2022, it was like damn - this is it. OT7 down to 6. It was a weird mix of dissonance, both from seeing Jin’s buzzcut (that boy needs his prince-style hairs back like yesterday) and the mournful reactions of the others. JK’s tear-filled eyes. Jin, usually bouncy like Tigger, was somber too.
We got through that day, and have loved seeing Jin pop back into our lives through his sarcasm on Weverse, his pre-recorded quirky monthly videos to say hi, and Tuesday, the best one yet - taking a day of leave to drive two hours one-way from his base to see Hobi off.
I appreciate Hobi’s ‘Let’s get this over with attitude’, as he was trying his best to keep his attitude up. But the hurt silence of Yoongi and the lost-in-the-eyes look of Namjoon revealed the pain of the goodbye. The rapline has been together, in every way, for 13 years. Joon and Hobi are the same age. They were supposed to enlist together, until the plan was dashed by Joon’s post-Indigo rush of musical creativity to crank out more music before he enlists.
(Fashion note: can we agree that the leopard-print fleecy bucket hat is Yoongi’s new fave? He reminds me of a little kid, wearing their favorite thing every day. Except we know that hat is not from Target… haha.)
Losing Jin, and now Hobi, changes the group dynamic in ways I think we know: the happy people are now gone. Yoongi can be goofy, the maknaes def do stuff that is silly, and Namjoon lets his playful side out from time to time. But the comic relief, the let’s laugh for no reason and be happy people, are Jin and Hobi. Jin makes fun of everything, is down for physical play with JK, and back in the day, was the high priest of dad jokes. (I think the pun-a-minute era has passed, but he still goes for the corny when he can. Because he’s good at it.) If you think he is serious about the WWH stuff, you have missed the hidden meaning in his longest running joke. Yes, he is handsome, he knows it, but he wants to make fun of himself first to take down the pressure.
THAT being said…ahem…Jin’s filling out nicely. Who knew that feeding a 30 year old on a regular basis and some physical training would lead to a thicker body? Jin was too damned skinny when he went in, and I’m not being his mom. His video games all day, no eating life was OK for a dude who was about to go away for a while. But in the long-term, not smart.
The highlight of the day was Jin, as evidenced by the reaction of the crew. Hobi threw the respectful salute, not looking Jin in the eyes because he is of superior rank. Haha. Seeing the momentary joy in all of their eyes when Jin approached them was wonderful. (In case you are wondering why the BB doesn’t show Jin, it’s because he cannot earn money for promotional activities while in the military. BTS/Hybe would have to get permission from the Army to let Jin be shown. So we see the reax of 5 to the 1. Yoongles was hidden - likely behind Joon. Apparently the Twitter photo of OT7 is OK.)
I know they’re all going to go in on their own schedule, with JK and Tae coming out with albums before they go. Although, at the rate Tae is going with his life, we may be on hiatus until 2028. (JOKING. I hope.) Yoongi’s tour and album are nigh, and likely, he will be off when done with his stuff (looks like schedule ends in June). Jimin’s album and promotions are done, so he seemingly can choose any time to go. Namjoon’s project X is in progress, but he said he would see Hobi soon via his Insta post.
I almost want them all to go together. Now. Get it over with. Have one big goodbye, have Jin and Hobi show up in witness protection form to provide comfort and laughs and a gigantic group hug and buzzcut scalp rubbing sesh.
To quote the prophet Agust D, “If you think you’re going to crash, accelerate harder, you idiot.”
Let’s crash and get it over with. We can then get ready for 2025.
Good luck Hobi. And Jin, you nice, keep going.
And what was your reaction to Hobi’s enlistment departure? Let me know in the comments!
Wow! Thank you for this! I've got over 30 decades on these young men and I, too, am invested in them. Your words hit the proverbial "nail on the head"! None of my similar-aged friends have a clue as to who I am talking about if I mention BTS (and they aren't interested), my family has been making fun of me forever, EXCEPT for my youngest daughter. She is 31, and although she too made fun of me I recently noticed her "liking" IG posts from and about the members AND she confided in a text to me that Namjoon is her bias!!! I am playing it lowkey, because you know it is just not cool to like what your mother likes. I have witnessed and adored many musical artists in my life, and I am here to say that these guys are DIFFERENT. The relationship they have with their fans is something I have never seen before. I am sure that much of it results from Internet communication. But having said that, there is no way to fake the sincerity in these young men and their brotherhood, which is marvelous to watch. So do what you need to do, Bangtan. On your terms, have no regrets, and stay healthy. APOBANGPO!
“Yep, I’m finished “ to quote Jimin at that famous Festa table. I don’t think I can take much more of a slow dribble intake! Just move on quickly please, together, because I don’t want any of them entering without the others there to see them off. How sad would that be? I’m sure the logistics of getting them all there together would be much harder, as more enlist.
You are absolutely right about the fun creators, Jin & Hobi, being gone now. I hadn’t realised that until I read your post. They are all hilarious but not in the way Jin & Hobi are.
The fact that they seem to be almost enlisting on the back of their own solo high points must be difficult as well. To go from top of the world to 2 years of anonymity, must surely play with their minds. I’m almost certain that the break from OT7 activities has shown each of the members how beneficial alone is but also how much they love each other and want to be back together as a group.
2025 can’t come soon enough for me. 💜