At the end of 2023, BTS’s leader RM enlisted in the military for his mandatory service, together with groupmate V.

While enlistment inevitably means a reduced frequency of direct communication between celebrities and fans, ARMYs have gotten a few glimpses of RM’s whereabouts as a soldier, mostly through the official Korean military app, The Camp.

In January, the rapper shared pictures of himself with V, celebrating the completion of their basic training together. Both of them were selected as among the only six “Elite Graduate Trainees” recognized for their expectational performance in the 27th Recruit Training Regiment.

A few days later, reports of him delivering a video speech to new recruits made headlines as well.

RM also penned a brief, heartfelt letter on Weverse for ARMYS on February 11, KST, wishing them a happy Lunar New Year. He also updated them about his military service, mentioning that he had already been dispatched to his base and was adjusting well.

https://twitter.com/btsinthemoment/status/1756577279453560865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

On February 15, KST, a new picture of the idol in the military went viral online. The photo, taken by someone who attended a graduation ceremony recently, showed him in the bright red uniform of the military band, holding a saxophone.

Netizens were taken aback to see him in the military band, noting how unexpected it was of him. Many also took this opportunity to jokingly demand collaboration between RM and BTS’s in-house saxophone enthusiast, V, labeling it as R&V (wordplay on R&B).

• “Oh my…”
• “Monie TT, You’re so cool.”
• “Just look how tall he is.”
• “Crazy TT.”
• “Wow, the military band.”
• “Wow, Namjoon, you’re so cool.”

• “R&V is fate, LOL.”
• “It looks like a stage costume, LOL.”
• “After your discharge, please play R&V on the saxophone, LOL.”
• “Wow, Namjoon.”
• “He went for the military band, I see.”
• “Saxophone????”

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