BTS Jin Completes Army Service Plans to Hug 1000 Fans
Jin, the oldest member of the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, has completed his mandatory military service in South Korea. The 31-year-old star, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, marked his return with a heartwarming gesture, planning to hug 1,000 fans in a special event.
On Wednesday, Jin made his first public appearance since his discharge at Seoul’s Jamsil Sports Complex. The event, part of the BTS Festa, saw 1,000 lucky fans who won a raffle getting the chance to receive a hug from Jin. Additionally, 4,000 fans were selected to attend his performance later in the day.
The BTS ARMY, the dedicated fanbase of the group, showed up in full force. Some fans traveled from overseas to be part of this significant moment. The country’s compulsory military service, which requires almost all able-bodied men to serve for 18 months by the time they are 28, had put a temporary halt to BTS’s group activities. However, a law passed in 2020 allowed major pop stars to defer their service until the age of 30. Jin was the first member of BTS to enlist, and the other six members are still serving.
Mim Cheenchanya from Thailand was one of the fortunate fans to win a hug from Jin. She expressed her overwhelming joy, saying she cried tears of happiness upon learning she had won. “I wish to tell Jin if he comes to Thailand, can he hold a concert for seven days, because I love BTS so much,” she said.
As Jin began giving out hugs, social media was flooded with videos from ecstatic fans. The star was seen quickly hugging each person as they walked across a purple stage, with many fans screaming, whooping, and crying in excitement.
Even those who didn’t win a hug were thrilled to be there. Holly Campbell from Melbourne, Australia, and Ashley Stoudnour from Florida, shared their excitement with CNN. They had also entered the hug raffle but were not as lucky. “Everybody here tried,” Campbell joked, dressed in purple from head to toe, the color symbolizing BTS’s long-lasting love and relationship with their fans.
Purple has become synonymous with BTS since member V described it as a symbol of the band’s enduring love for their fans. The color frequently appears in their live performances, merchandise, and branded collaborations.
“BTS themselves pour out so much love – they put love into their music, into their personalities, their fans,” said Stoudnour. Flying thousands of miles to welcome Jin back was just a way for fans to “give them love back,” she added, describing Jin as the “comedian of the group.”
Another fan, Kim Yoon-jeong, was emotional after not winning a seat in the stadium or a hug. However, she was still excited to support Jin. She showed CNN her artworks, including digitally painted portraits of each BTS member and tiny stuffed dolls of them, including one dressed in a military uniform.
Michelle Pedraza, who flew from California, also missed out on a hug ticket but showed off her purple-dyed hair for the event. “No hug, but all of the air that he’s breathing, I’ll be breathing,” she joked, adding she’d probably be crying and screaming once Jin took to the stage.
The festival was bustling with activities and stalls, including photo booths, bracelet-making, custom pins, and BTS sticker shops. Fans queued to enter, some enjoying snacks under the shade or using umbrellas to escape the heat.
BTS has achieved global superstardom since their debut in 2013, earning No. 1 singles in over 100 countries. They have received numerous accolades, including Billboard Music Awards, Time magazine’s Entertainer of the Year award in 2020, and multiple titles at the 2021 American Music Awards. They were also the first K-Pop act to earn a Grammy nomination in 2021.
Beyond music, BTS members are among the world’s most influential fashion icons. They have been brand ambassadors for Louis Vuitton and have collaborated with Dior for custom stagewear. Individual members have also starred in various luxury fashion house campaigns.
The hiatus due to military service has been a significant period for BTS. Jin was the first to enlist at 30, and the group is expected to reconvene around 2025. Jin’s return marks a significant moment for both the group and their fans, who eagerly await the reunion of all members.
Jin’s discharge from the military was a moment of joy and relief for him. In a Weverse livestream, he shared his emotions, saying, “I cried during the ceremony, but it was so fun for the last year and six months. It’s such a relief I met so many amazing people.”
BTS’s agency, Big Hit Music, had earlier released a statement encouraging fans not to visit the military base to avoid overcrowding. Instead, they urged fans to convey their warm regards and encouragement in their hearts.
Jin’s return is a significant milestone for BTS and their fans. The event in Seoul, where he plans to hug 1,000 fans, is a testament to the strong bond between the group and their dedicated fanbase. As Jin resumes his musical career, the world eagerly awaits the next chapter for BTS.
