BTS member Jin, the oldest in the globally renowned K-pop group, has officially completed his mandatory 18-month military service in South Korea. On June 12, 2024, Jin was discharged from his duties, marking a significant milestone for both him and the BTS fandom.
Jin, 31, was seen leaving the military base in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province, dressed in his military fatigues and a black beret. The moment was filled with joy and emotion as he reunited with his fellow BTS members, who were granted leave to celebrate this special occasion with him. A video shared by Reuters captured Jin’s heartfelt reunion with his bandmates, who greeted him with warm hugs and a bouquet of flowers.
In a touching gesture, RM, another BTS member currently serving in the military, played their hit song “Dynamite” on the saxophone, adding a musical note to the celebration. Jin later shared his feelings during a Weverse livestream, expressing that he cried during the ceremony but also found the last year and a half to be incredibly fulfilling. “It’s such a relief I met so many amazing people,” he said.
BTS’s agency, Big Hit Music, had earlier released a statement on Weverse, informing fans about Jin’s impending discharge and urging them not to visit the military base to avoid overcrowding. The statement read, “Jin is close to completing his active service in the army and will soon be discharged.”
Jin was the first member of BTS to enlist in the army in December 2022, initiating a three-year hiatus for the group. The remaining members—J-Hope, V, RM, Jimin, Jung Kook, and Suga—are still serving and are expected to complete their duties by mid-2025. This timeline sets the stage for a highly anticipated reunion of the group in June 2025.
Following his discharge, Jin planned to celebrate with an event in Seoul, where he was expected to meet fans and perform a solo show featuring fan song requests. According to BBC, his first public event included a raffle where 1,000 fans had the chance to hug him in a “hugathon” at the Seoul Sports Complex.
Jin’s return has also had a positive impact on Hybe, the entertainment company managing BTS. The company’s stock price saw a rise of more than 1% in morning trading, reflecting the excitement and anticipation surrounding Jin’s discharge.
Jin’s journey in the military began with five weeks of basic training at the Yeoncheon training center. He was later selected to serve as an assistant drill instructor at the Yeoncheon army base. Throughout his service, Jin maintained a connection with his fans, occasionally posting updates on the fan community app Weverse.
Before enlisting, Jin released a solo single titled “The Astronaut” and assured fans that he would return to work hard soon. His discharge marks the beginning of the countdown to BTS’s full reunion, which is eagerly awaited by their global fanbase, known as ARMY.
BTS has been a global phenomenon since their debut in 2013, achieving No. 1 singles in over 100 countries and amassing a massive following. The group’s influence was further recognized when they were named Time magazine’s Entertainer of the Year in 2020.
Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to serve in the military for 18 to 21 months. A bill passed in 2020 allows those who excel in popular culture and art to defer their service until the age of 30. Jin, being the oldest member of BTS, was the first to enlist, paving the way for the rest of the group to follow.
As Jin steps back into civilian life, the anticipation for BTS’s reunion grows stronger. Fans around the world are eagerly waiting for 2025, when all seven members will be back together, ready to create more music and memories.
