After completing his mandatory military service, Jin, the eldest member of the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, has given hugs to 1,000 fans.
Jin was discharged from the South Korean Army on Wednesday, having started his service in December 2022. He is the first member of BTS to complete this obligation.
Military service is compulsory for almost all able-bodied men in South Korea once they reach the age of 28, lasting for 18 months.
However, a 2020 parliamentary bill allows individuals who excel in popular culture and the arts, such as K-pop stars, to defer their service until they are 30.
Expressing his joy upon returning, Jin, now 31, reflected on his military experience during a live broadcast on Weverse from BTS’s management company, HYBE. “The last year and a half was incredibly enjoyable. I’m relieved to have met so many great people,” he said.
Jin is set to make his public reappearance at the Seoul Fest on Thursday. The festival celebrates South Korea’s vibrant entertainment and culture, spotlighting K-pop, K-beauty, and Korean cuisine.
