Jin has no official events scheduled for Wednesday, according to BigHit Entertainment, which asked fans — collectively known as the Army — to refrain from coming to his discharge site, in a statement on WeVerse, a social media platform created by HYBE. Fans aren’t the only ones who have been waiting for this day: Jin posted a “D-100” countdown on his WeVerse account in March.
Here’s what to know about BTS and Korean military service:
Conscription in South Korea
Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men up to the age of 30 must enlist in the military and serve for almost two years: 18 months in the army or marines, 20 months in the navy, or 21 months in the air force. The members of BTS all serve in the army, except for Suga, who is performing an alternative service as a social service agent.
Most men in South Korea have until the age of 28 to enlist. But the South Korean National Assembly revisited the Military Service Act in 2020, allowing pop artists who have bolstered the nation’s reputation to postpone their conscription for two years. The move came just days before Jin’s 28th birthday.
While the nation’s military law stipulated decades ago that conscripts would have to serve 36 months, the duration has gradually decreased over. As of the early 2000s, men were required to serve 24 months, which was again decreased to 21 in 2011. At the end of 2021, the defense ministry decreased the service period to 18 months.
The other BTS members
Following Jin’s enlistment, the other members followed suit, entering the military on staggered dates throughout 2023. J-Hope started his service last April, and Suga in September. In December, four of the members, RM, V, Jung Kook and Jimin enlisted over two dates.
Last June, the group announced it would momentarily halt group activities and pursue solo careers. It was a first for the band, which has moved as a single music act for a decade. “We’ve talked among ourselves several times, and we believe it’s good to take some time apart,” said J-Hope in the announcement video. Band members emphasized that the separation was temporary and they would reunite in the future.
Even while in the military, the group remains active on the music scene, releasing music and videos produced before their enlistment. Last month, the group’s leader, RM, released an album, “Right Place, Wrong Person,” that came with a series of music videos. Jung Kook, whose English-language album “Golden” hit number one on the Billboard Top Album Sales chart, released a new single on Friday.
What’s next?
The band’s management said last year that the members would reunite “around 2025,” which is still the plan, according to a HYBE spokesperson. Given the timing of the group’s conscription dates, fans will likely have to wait until mid-2025 before seeing all seven members together.
Jin plans to hold a fan event on Thursday evening in Seoul as part of a larger music festival where he plans to give hugs to 1,000 fans.
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