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 was discharged on Wednesday after serving 18 months, marking a significant milestone for both him and the BTS fandom, known as ARMY.
Dressed in a uniform and black beret, Jin appeared visibly emotional as he embraced his fellow soldiers at a military base in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province. The touching moment was captured on television and quickly went viral. “I cried during the ceremony,” Jin admitted during a livestream on the Weverse platform, which garnered over 3 million views. He expressed his gratitude for the camaraderie he experienced, saying, “It’s such a relief I met so many good people.”
Several BTS members, who are also currently fulfilling their military duties, reportedly took leave to celebrate Jin’s discharge. Among them was RM, who welcomed Jin with a saxophone rendition of their hit single “Dynamite.”
Jin was the first BTS member to enlist in December 2022. The remaining members—Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—are expected to complete their service by 2025, at which point the group plans to reunite.
To celebrate his discharge, Jin is set to host an event in Seoul on Thursday. The event, organized by BTS’ label Hybe, will take place at the Jamsil Sports Complex and will feature a performance and a meet-and-greet with 1,000 lucky fans.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS has achieved global superstardom, earning No. 1 singles in over 100 countries and amassing more than 74 million Instagram followers. They were named Time magazine’s Entertainer of the Year in 2020 and even visited the White House in 2022 to discuss Asian representation and anti-Asian hate crimes.
Beyond their musical achievements, BTS members have also made significant strides in the fashion industry. In 2021, they were named brand ambassadors for Louis Vuitton and have since been featured in campaigns for Valentino and Dior. Dior’s artistic director Kim Jones even designed custom stage outfits for their 2019 tour.
South Korea mandates that all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 serve 18 to 21 months in the military or social service. However, a 2020 law revision allowed globally recognized K-pop stars to delay their enlistment until age 30.
Jin’s enlistment in December 2022 was followed by J-Hope in April 2023 and Suga in September 2023. The final four members—RM, Jimin, Jungkook, and V—began their service in December 2023 and are expected to be discharged by June 2025.
BigHit Music, BTS’s management agency, had advised fans not to visit the army base on the day of Jin’s release to avoid overcrowding. However, a photo posted on social media showed the seven BTS members sitting together with balloons spelling out “Jin is back.”
In a pre-recorded video shared on BTS’ official YouTube channel, Jin wished fans a happy new year and asked for their patience as he completes his service. “I miss you all. I miss you a lot,” he said. “Wait just a bit more and you’ll be able to see me with short hair. I’ll grow my hair quickly this year and I’ll be able to start working hard soon.”
Jin’s message resonated deeply with fans, who have eagerly awaited his return. He assured them that he would be back “in February and March,” adding, “Make a lot of snowmen and think of me as you make them.”
J-Hope, who began his enlistment in April 2023, also shared a heartfelt message on Weverse, reflecting on his year and expressing gratitude for the support he received. “This year, I think I worked and moved in a variety of ways, focusing clearly on the military,” he wrote.
All seven BTS members are currently fulfilling their mandatory service, with plans to reconvene in 2025. Jin’s discharge marks the beginning of the end of this hiatus, bringing hope and excitement to fans worldwide.
