Jin, the eldest member of the globally renowned South Korean boyband BTS, has officially completed his mandatory military service. On Wednesday, June 12, he was warmly welcomed by his fellow bandmates as he emerged from his army base in Yeoncheon county, located in northern South Korea.
The 31-year-old was greeted by RM, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, who had all taken time off from their own military duties to be there. The reunion was emotional, with RM playing the saxophone to the tune of their hit song “Dynamite” as Jin hugged each of his bandmates.
Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, had hinted at his discharge with a cryptic message on the fan platform Weverse, simply stating “D-1” the day before his release. This message had fans eagerly anticipating his return.
Shortly after his discharge, Jin appeared on a live stream from his agency’s headquarters, fulfilling a promise he had made to fans before his enlistment. He also shared a group photo on the band’s official account, with Suga joining in for the picture. “I’m normally more handsome than this, but I cried when I was discharged. My eyes are puffy. I usually have confidence in my face, but I’m less confident today,” Jin said during the live stream.
In anticipation of Jin’s discharge, BigHit Music, the band’s agency, had requested fans not to gather at the military base to avoid overcrowding. “We are excited to bring you the news of Jin’s upcoming military discharge. Jin is close to completing his active service in the army and will soon be discharged. Please note that the discharge day is reserved for military personnel only. No special events are planned on the day of Jin’s discharge. To prevent any issues arising from overcrowding, fans are strongly advised to refrain from visiting the site. Please convey your warm regards and encouragement in your hearts,” the agency stated.
While fans adhered to the request and stayed away from the military base, large crowds gathered outside the company building, necessitating police intervention for crowd control.
Jin’s conscription in December 2022 had sparked a debate in South Korea about the mandatory military service rules, with many arguing that prominent entertainers like BTS should be exempted. In 2019, lawmakers had argued that BTS contributed significantly to South Korea’s economy, accounting for 0.3% of the country’s GDP. In 2020, the law was revised to allow globally recognized K-pop stars to postpone their service until they turned 30.
Several activities have been planned to celebrate Jin’s return. His discharge coincides with the band’s 11th debut anniversary, a day usually marked by various events and performances. This year, Jin will hold a free meet and greet event, where he will hug 1,000 fans who won a raffle, followed by his first performance in two years.
The band had announced in 2022 that they would be taking a break from group activities to focus on their solo music while each member completed their military service. During this period, all members released solo albums, with Suga additionally going on tour under his alter ego Agust D. Jin released a single, “The Astronaut,” co-written with Coldplay, in October 2022 and is expected to release his solo album later this year.
The remaining members are expected to complete their military service by the end of 2025, with Jung Kook and Jimin scheduled to return in December that year. The group is anticipated to resume activities as a septet in 2026.
Fans, known as Army, have shared photos of BigHit’s Seoul headquarters, which has been adorned with the phrase “Apobangpo,” coined by Jung Kook to mean “Army forever, Bangtan forever.”
Jin’s return marks a significant moment for BTS and their fans, as the band continues to navigate their individual and collective journeys. The reunion of the Bangtan Boys is a heartwarming reminder of their enduring bond and the unwavering support of their global fanbase.
