MOBBED AFTER DEMOB

K-POP FANS' WAIT IS ALMOST OVER AS BTS MEMBERS LEAVE THE ARMY

- VICTOR MATHER / NYT

in: check. J Hope: check. On Tuesday, RM and V: check. And on Wednesday, Jimin and Jungkook: check.

That leaves only one member of the K-pop boy band BTS still doing their national service: Suga. And when he also discharged this month, their fans' long wait will be over. BTS will be civilians again, and a vastly lucrative reunion can follow.

RM and V emerged from a base in Chuncheon, South Korea, on Wednesday in military fatigues. V, 29, carried flowers, while RM, 30, had a saxophone on which he gave a brief impromptu performance on one knee.

"There were tough and painful moments, of course," RM said, as translated by The Korea Herald, "but during our service, I came to deeply appreciate the many people who have protected this country."