The question of who the ‘eighth member’ of BTS is has been floating around for years, sparking fun theories and inside jokes among ARMYs.
But now, BTS leader RM has finally answered this often-asked question, clearing up the mystery once and for all. Fans have long speculated about the existence of an eighth member, pointing to funny gaps in BTS photos where it looks like someone is missing or could be joining the group. These playful ideas have led to many fun discussions within the fandom, but the real answer might surprise you.
In 2022, BTS RM took the opportunity to address the concept of the eighth member in a heartfelt message to fans, shared through the BTS Fan Kit. In his note, RM expressed his gratitude for the support BTS receives from their dedicated fans, ARMY. He wrote, “To ARMYs, the eighth member of BTS, thank you so much.” With this statement, RM confirmed what many fans had already suspected: ARMYs have always been BTS’s eighth member. Their unwavering love and support have been essential to the group’s success, and this deep connection is what makes the phrase “BTS is 7” so meaningful to their fandom.
https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=Dailyhuntapp&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-14&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1577896450717274113&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fm.dailyhunt.in%2Fnews%2Findia%2Fenglish%2Ffor%2Byou%3Flaunch%3Dtrue%26mode%3Dpwa&sessionId=0eae130580952281597e92afc405c53e954b57d2&siteScreenName=Dailyhuntapp&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px
BTS, a global Kpop sensation, originally debuted in 2013 as a seven-member group: RM, Suga, Jin, Jimin, Jungkook, V and Jhope. Currently, except for Jin and Jhope, all members are serving in the military for their mandatory enlistment, with plans to reunite fully by 2025. Throughout their journey, BTS has achieved numerous milestones, including becoming the first Kpop group to be nominated for a Grammy Award.
Recently, BTS celebrated its 11th anniversary in July 2024 with a special two-week event called FESTA, where Jin held a fan meeting to reconnect with ARMYs. Even though the group is on a temporary break due to military service, the bond between BTS and their fans remains stronger than ever.