K-Pop megastar Jin cries tears of joy and falls in to the arms of his BTS bandmates after ending more than 500 days of South Korean military service
K-pop megastar Jin of BTS cried tears of joy after completing more than 500 days of South Korean military service on Wednesday.
He fell into the arms of his bandmates after emerging from the gates of the army base where he was stationed in South Korea’s northern Yeoncheon province.
The seven members of the world’s most popular boy band have been on a ‘break’ since 2022 due to their military service.
Military service in South Korea is mandatory for all men under the age of 30 due to tensions with nuclear-armed neighbors North Korea.
Jin, the eldest of the group and the first to sign up, was met by bandmates J-hope, V, RM, Jungkook and Jimin – with RM giving a rendition of the group’s popular hit Dynamite on the saxophone.
K-pop boy band BTS member Jin is seen in good spirits after being discharged from military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, after spending more than 500 days on base
K-pop boy band BTS member Jin is greeted by group member J-Hope after discharge
Jin is seen here saluting after being discharged from the base in the north of the country
The K-pop stars, who reportedly took leave from their duties to celebrate the day, presented a beaming Jin, still in his military uniform, with a giant bouquet of flowers.
Fans also took the opportunity to congratulate Jin by hanging colorful banners outside the base, reading: “Seok-jin, you have done so well these past 548 days. We will stand by you with our unwavering love’.
A giant balloon flew from the front with the message: ‘Globally handsome Seok-jin! Congratulations on your discharge.’
Yeoncheon Province put up its own banner that read: “BTS Jin, the past year and a half has been a joy for us. Yeoncheon won’t forget you!’
Because of the insistence not to personally congratulate Jin ahead of his release from the military base, only a few admirers attended.
Natose Sunagawa, 19, from Tokyo, said: “Although my hands were shaking and my muscles stiffened, I was so happy to see him.”
With a plush doll of Jin in her hand and a keychain of Jin’s face on her purse, she said she came because she “wanted to meet him so bad.”
“Since all BTS members haven’t finished their military service yet, I think Jin will release solo material. I want to buy his solo albums and go to the concerts,” Sunagawa added as she wiped away tears.
A post from the official BTS account on X, formerly Twitter, congratulated Jin by uploading a photo of the entire group celebrating Jin’s dismissal with a cake.
During a livestream on Weverse, a superfan social media platform, Jin said, “Normally I’m prettier than this, but I cried when I was fired. My eyes are swollen. Usually I have confidence on my face, but today I am less confident.’
Jin (pictured center) hugs military colleagues after being discharged from his mandatory military service
Concertgoers watch BTS perform on stage during iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2021. The band has gained a cult following among K-pop fans since its inception in 2010.
BTS performing at 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2019 held at The Forum on December 6, 2019 in Inglewood, Los Angeles
The band is seen here during Good Morning America on May 15, 2019 in New York City
While showing off his certificates and commendations, Jin said he “did well” during his shift and cried twice because he was so happy to be home.
Its release comes just ahead of the 11th anniversary of the group’s debut, with the office of their agency HYBE in Seoul and a number of local cafes decked out in purple decorations to celebrate the occasion.
Jin will take part in a ‘huggathon’ on Thursday, where he will hug 1,000 fans who won a lottery at Weverse, before making his first performance in two years.
Jin said on Weverse that the “hugathon” was his idea, and that he “initially wanted to hug 3,000 fans,” but had to agree to a smaller number after HYBE cited safety concerns.
“It is significant that Jin has completed his military service without any problem, as for a K-pop male idol, serving in the military is the biggest problem” for their careers, said Yoo Sung-man, an analyst at Leading Investment and Securities.
“Jin’s resignation is a positive sign for entertainment stock prices,” he added.
HYBE’s share price has been hit by a dispute with superproducer Min Hee-jin, the mastermind behind girl band NewJeans.
Jin (left) is welcomed by his bandmates Jimin, Jungkook, J-Hope, V and RM in front of the main entrance of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division
Fellow artist Halsey is pictured with the hugely popular boy band after attending one of their concerts in December 2021
“If Jin resumes his solo performances, it will definitely lead to an increase [in stock price]Yoo told AFP.
HYBE’s share price rose two percent in early trading on Wednesday following Jin’s release from military service.
“BTS accounts for a large portion of HYBE’s profits, it is very encouraging that the discharge of BTS members has begun,” Yoo said.
The next BTS member to end his military service is J-hope, who will be discharged in October. The rest of the band will complete their service in June 2025.