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, who enlisted in December 2022, is the first among the seven-member group to fulfill this national duty.
Big Hit Music, BTS’s agency, made the announcement on Weverse, informing fans of Jin’s discharge. The statement emphasized that there would be no special events and urged fans to avoid visiting the military site to prevent overcrowding.
Despite the agency’s request, Korean media were present outside the military base, capturing the moment live. Footage from Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) showed Jin embracing his fellow soldiers as he prepared to leave the site.
As Jin exited the military base, he stopped to salute and pose for the cameras. He was greeted with a bouquet of flowers and warmly embraced by his bandmates, who are also currently serving. RM, the group’s leader, set a celebratory tone by playing BTS’s hit song “Dynamite” on the saxophone.
In October 2022, BTS performed a massive free concert titled “Yet to Come” in Busan, South Korea, to support the city’s bid for the 2030 World Expo. Shortly after, Big Hit Music announced that all seven members would fulfill their military service, stating it was the perfect time and that the members were honored to serve.
Before enlisting, Jin released a solo single, “The Astronaut,” and in a video message, he asked fans to wait a bit longer, promising to work hard upon his return. BTS is expected to reunite as a full group in 2025 when all members have completed their military service.
On his final day, Jin, dressed in army fatigues and a black beret, accepted a bouquet of flowers and laughed as RM greeted him with a saxophone performance of “Dynamite.” In a Weverse livestream, Jin expressed 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.”
Big Hit Music’s statement on Weverse reiterated Jin’s imminent discharge and encouraged fans to avoid the base to prevent overcrowding. Jin’s enlistment in December 2022 marked the beginning of a three-year hiatus for BTS, which is expected to end in June 2025 when the remaining members complete their service.
According to Reuters, Jin planned to celebrate his discharge with an event in Seoul, where he would greet fans and perform a solo show featuring fan song requests. BBC reported that his first public event included a raffle where 1,000 fans queued up to hug the singer in a “hugathon” at the Seoul Sports Complex.
Jin’s discharge marks a significant milestone for BTS, as fans eagerly await the group’s reunion. The band’s agency announced Jin’s discharge on Weverse, urging fans not to visit the camp for safety reasons. Only a few fans were seen outside the base on the morning of his discharge.
On Thursday, Jin is scheduled to participate in a “hugathon” where he will hug 1,000 fans who won a raffle on Weverse. Later, he will take part in a meet-and-greet event that will be livestreamed on Weverse. The five members who greeted Jin had taken leave from their duties to mark his discharge, with Suga being the only absentee due to civilian duties following shoulder surgery.
Jin’s discharge comes just ahead of the 11th anniversary of BTS’s debut. The group’s agency, HYBE, has decorated its office in Seoul and some local cafes with purple decorations to mark the occasion. Jin will release solo materials and perform solo shows, much to the delight of fans.
Jin’s discharge is seen as a positive sign for entertainment stock prices, with HYBE’s share price rising in early trading. The next BTS member to finish military service will be J-hope, who is expected to be discharged in October. The rest of the band will complete their service in June 2025.
