BTS star Jin has officially completed his mandatory military service in South Korea, marking a significant milestone for the K-pop sensation. The 31-year-old, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, is the first member of the globally renowned boy band to finish his national duty. Jin emerged from the military base in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province, on Wednesday, greeted by his fellow bandmates and a small group of fans.
Jin, dressed in his military uniform and a black beret, was visibly emotional as he reunited with his bandmates J-hope, V, RM, Jungkook, and Jimin. The group, who had taken leave from their own military duties to celebrate Jin’s discharge, presented him with a giant bouquet of flowers. RM added a special touch to the celebration by playing their hit song “Dynamite” on a saxophone.
Fans had been advised not to gather at the military base to avoid overcrowding, but a few dedicated admirers showed up to support Jin. Colorful banners were hung outside the base, with messages like “Worldwide handsome Seok-jin! Congratulations on your discharge.” Jin later expressed his gratitude and emotions during a livestream on the Weverse platform, which garnered over 3 million views. “I cried during the ceremony,” he admitted, adding, “But it was so fun for the last year and six months. It’s such a relief. I met so many amazing people.”
Jin’s completion of his 18-month military service comes just ahead of the 11th anniversary of BTS’s debut. The group, which has been on a hiatus since 2022 to fulfill their military obligations, is expected to reunite in 2025. The remaining members—Suga, RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—are still completing their service.
The South Korean military requires all able-bodied men under 30 to serve for 18 to 21 months due to ongoing tensions with North Korea. Jin had deferred his conscription until the age of 30, beginning his service in December 2022. His discharge has been a moment of joy and relief for both him and his fans, who have been eagerly awaiting his return.
Jin’s discharge has also had a positive impact on the stock price of HYBE, the agency behind BTS. The company’s shares saw a two percent increase in early trading on Wednesday. Analysts believe that Jin’s return to solo performances will further boost the stock price and the overall morale of BTS fans.
In a heartwarming gesture, Jin will participate in a “huggathon” on Thursday, where he will hug 1,000 fans who won a raffle held on Weverse. This event is part of his efforts to reconnect with his fanbase after a long hiatus. Jin mentioned that he initially wanted to hug 3,000 fans but had to agree to a smaller number due to safety concerns.
Jin’s successful completion of his military service is seen as a positive sign for the future of BTS. Yoo Sung-man, an analyst at Leading Investment and Securities, noted, “It is significant that Jin did his military service without any problem, since for a K-pop male idol serving in the military is the biggest issue for their career.” He added that Jin’s discharge is a positive indicator for entertainment stock prices.
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul also congratulated Jin on completing his military service, expressing excitement for BTS’s future contributions to South Korea and the world. Fans online celebrated Jin’s return with the hashtag #WelcomeBackJin, flooding social media with messages of love and support.
Jin’s return to civilian life and the music industry is highly anticipated. He is planning to release a solo album later this year, much to the delight of his fans. As the oldest member of BTS, Jin’s successful transition back to civilian life sets a hopeful precedent for the rest of the group.
The completion of Jin’s military service is a significant moment not just for him but for BTS and their global fanbase. As the group prepares to reunite in 2025, fans can look forward to more music, performances, and milestones from the K-pop superstars.
