Jin, the eldest member of K-pop supergroup BTS, has completed his military service in South Korea, but their legions of fans around the world will still have to wait at least a year for the seven artists to reunite.
The star, who will become the first member of the band to begin 18-month military service in December 2022, emerged from the 5th Army Infantry Division base in northern Yeoncheon province, 60 kilometers north of Seoul, on Wednesday to be welcomed by band member J- Welcome.
Before RM played BTS’s 2020 hit “Dynamite” on saxophone, Jin smiled and saluted outside the camp gate before exchanging hugs with the rest of the band, who presented him with a giant bouquet of flowers.
While fans were asked not to visit the camp, some hung colorful banners outside, one of which read: “Seokjin, you have been great over the past 548 days. We will support you with our unwavering love.” You,” he used the star’s full name.
All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve in the military for 18 to 21 months when they turn 28, an obligation designed to preserve the country’s ability to respond to possible attacks from North Korea, a capability South Korea still technically has during the war. middle.
Some fans had hoped that the band, South Korea’s most successful cultural export to date, would be granted an exemption in recognition of their huge contribution to the country’s economy and soft power. Classical musicians and athletes who win international competitions are exempt.
But in October 2022, BTS’s management company Big Hit Music confirmed that all seven artists were “advancing plans to serve in the military.”
The band will not be able to reunite until the last four members of the band, RM, Jimin, Jungkook and V, retire in June 2025.
While the two North Koreas engage in a proxy war via balloons flying across the heavily armed border, the giant balloons flying outside the camps carried a softer message. “Seokjin, the handsome guy in the world! Congratulations on being discharged from the hospital,” it said.
The county authorities also added their own banner that read: “BTS Jin, the past year and a half has been a joy for us. Yeoncheon will not forget you!”
The band’s management company announced Jin’s retirement earlier this week on Weverse, a social media platform for super fans. “We are pleased to bring you the news that Kim will be discharged from the military,” it said.
The company also urged fans not to visit the camp due to safety concerns, and local media reported that only two people were seen on Wednesday morning.
On Thursday, Jin, who is expected to release a solo album later this year, planned to give a hug to fans at a Festa event in Seoul to commemorate the band’s 11th anniversary. Later that day, he will participate in a meet-and-greet event live on Weverse.
Five members who greeted Kim on Wednesday have applied for leave, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported, adding that Suga, the only one absent, was unable to perform military service due to the effects of shoulder surgery and was currently fulfilling civilian duties.
AFP provided the report.
