BTS star Jin, the eldest member of the seven-piece K-pop band, has been discharged from his mandatory military service in South Korea and celebrated by hugging 1,000 fans. The 31-year-old completed his service as the first member of BTS to do so, leaving the 5th Army Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province.
He was greeted by fellow BTS members J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, who had taken special leave to attend the event, while member Suga was absent.The BTS members embraced each other, and RM played their hit single “Dynamite” on the saxophone.
Jin described his service as “fun” and expressed gratitude for meeting many good people during his year and a half in the military. His first public appearance post-service will be at the Seoul Festa, a festival celebrating South Korean culture, where he will participate in a “hugging event” and perform music for fans.
In South Korea, mandatory military service is required for all able-bodied men between 18 and 28, with some performers and athletes, including K-pop stars, able to defer service until 30.
BTS members announced their intention to serve in October 2022, with plans to reunite in 2025 after all members have completed their service. Before their enlistment, BTS had announced a break to focus on solo projects.
Formed in 2010, BTS has become the biggest-selling music act in South Korean history and the first K-pop act to achieve major milestones in the US, UK, and at the Grammys.
