Jin, the eldest member of the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, has officially completed his mandatory military service in South Korea. The 31-year-old was discharged on Wednesday after 18 months of duty, marking a significant milestone for both him and the group. Jin is the first BTS member to finish the national service that temporarily paused their music careers.
Television footage captured Jin, dressed in a uniform and black beret, appearing emotional as he embraced his colleagues at a military base in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province. During a livestream on the Weverse fandom platform, which garnered over 3 million views, Jin admitted, “I cried during the ceremony.” He added, “But it was so fun for the last year and six months. It’s such a relief I met so many good people,” expressing his gratitude towards his military colleagues.
Several other BTS members, who are currently serving in the military, reportedly applied for leave to celebrate Jin’s discharge. Among them was rapper RM, who greeted Jin with a saxophone performance of their hit single “Dynamite.”
Jin enlisted in the military in December 2022, becoming the first BTS member to do so. The remaining members began their service in December 2023, with the group expected to reunite in 2025 after completing their duties.
To celebrate his discharge, Jin plans to host an event in Seoul on Thursday, where he will meet fans and perform. BTS’ label, Hybe, has organized the event at the Jamsil Sports Complex, selecting 1,000 fans who will have the opportunity to hug the star.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS has achieved worldwide fame, earning No. 1 singles in over 100 countries, amassing more than 74 million Instagram followers, and being named Time magazine’s Entertainer of the Year in 2020. In 2022, the group visited the White House to discuss Asian representation and anti-Asian hate crimes, which surged in the US during the pandemic.
Beyond their musical achievements, BTS members are also influential fashion icons. In 2021, Louis Vuitton named the group as brand ambassadors, dressing them in complementary suits for the 64th Grammy Awards the following year. Suga and Jimin have starred in Valentino and Dior campaigns, respectively, with Dior’s artistic director Kim Jones designing custom stage outfits for their 2019 tour.
South Korea mandates that all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 serve 18 to 21 months in the military or social service. However, a 2020 law revision allows globally recognized K-pop stars to delay their service until age 30.
Jin, born on December 4, 1992, is the oldest member of BTS. Known for his charming looks and often referred to as “Worldwide Handsome,” Jin joined BTS in 2013 as one of the four main vocalists. He graduated from Konkuk University in 2017 with a degree in acting and art. Jin is also a food enthusiast, previously hosting his own food web series, Eat Jin, and co-owning a Japanese restaurant in Seoul.
During an interview with Weverse Magazine, Jin discussed his evolving confidence as an individual outside of BTS. “It used to be that any time I had to do something, I thought it was such a big deal. Like, how can I handle something this big right now,” he said. “I would always feel discouraged, but my personality has changed a lot now, I think. Now, instead of, ‘How can I handle this?’ it’s ‘I can handle this!’ when I’m making songs for other people to listen to.”
In October 2022, Jin released the solo single “The Astronaut,” co-written by Chris Martin of Coldplay. This marked a significant step in his solo career, showcasing his versatility and talent beyond the group.
As BTS members continue to fulfill their military duties, fans eagerly await their return in 2025. Jin’s discharge marks the beginning of a new chapter for the group, promising exciting future endeavors both as a band and as individual artists.
