K-pop megastar BTS’ Jin was seen crying with joy after finishing more than 500 days of military service in South Korea on Wednesday.
He fell into the arms of his bandmates after leaving the gates of the military base where he was stationed in Yeoncheon county, northern South Korea.
The seven members of the world’s most popular boy band have been on a self-described “hiatus” since 2022 due to their military service.
Military service in South Korea is mandatory for all men under 30 due to tensions with North Korea, its nuclear-armed neighbor.
Jin, the oldest of the group and the first to enlist, was greeted by his bandmates J-hope, V, RM, Jungkook and Jimin, and RM performed the group’s popular hit Dynamite on the saxophone.
Jin, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, is seen in high spirits after being discharged from military service in Yeoncheon, South Korea, having completed more than 500 days at the base.
Jin, a member of the K-pop boy band BTS, is greeted by a member of the group, J-Hope, after being discharged.
Here Jin can be seen saluting after being discharged from the base in the north of the country.
The K-pop stars, who reportedly bid farewell to their duties to mark 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, with one reading: ‘Seok-jin, you did very well for the past 548 days.’ We will support you with our unwavering love.”
A giant balloon flew ahead with the message: ‘Handsome Seok-jin in the whole world! Congratulations on his discharge.’
Yeoncheon County put up its own banner that read, ‘BTS Jin, the past year and a half was a joy for us. Yeoncheon won’t forget you!’
Having been urged not to congratulate Jin in person before his release from the military base, only a couple of admirers were present.
Natose Sunagawa, 19, from Tokyo, said: “Although my hands were shaking and my muscles were tense, I was very happy to see him.”
Holding a stuffed animal of Jin and a keychain of Jin’s face in her bag, she said she came because she “wanted to meet him so bad.”
‘As all BTS members have not finished their military service, I think Jin will release solo materials. I wish 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 discharge with a cake.
Speaking in a livestream on Weverse, a superfan social media platform, Jin said, “I’m usually more handsome than this, but I cried when I was discharged.” My eyes are swollen. Normally I have confidence on my face, but today I have less confidence.”
Jin (center in photo) hugs his 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 they formed in 2010.
BTS performs 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 performing on Good Morning America on May 15, 2019 in New York City.
Showing his certificates and commendations, Jin mentioned that he “did well” during his service and cried twice because he was so happy to be home.
Its release comes just before the 11th anniversary of the group’s debut, with their agency HYBE’s office in Seoul plus some local cafes decked out in purple decorations to commemorate the occasion.
Jin will participate in a huggathon on Thursday, where he will hug 1,000 fans who won a giveaway held on Weverse, before giving his first performance in two years.
Jin said on Weverse that the ‘huggathon’ was his idea, and that he ‘initially wanted to hug 3,000 fans,’ but had to accept a smaller number after HYBE cited safety concerns.
“It is significant that Jin completed his military service without any problems, since for a male K-pop idol serving in the military is the biggest problem” for his career, said Yoo Sung-man, an analyst at Leading Investment and Securities.
“Jin’s firing is a positive sign for entertainment stock prices,” he added.
HYBE’s share price has been hit by a dispute with super producer Min Hee-jin, the mastermind behind girl band NewJeans.
Jin (left) is greeted by his bandmates Jimin, Jungkook, J-Hope, V and RM in front of the main gate of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division.
Artist Halsey is pictured with the immensely popular boy band after attending one of their concerts in December 2021.
“Once Jin resumes his solo performances, this will definitely cause an increase (in the 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 proportion of the profits on HYBE, it is very encouraging that the decline of BTS members has begun,” Yoo said.
The next BTS member to finish his military service will be J-hope, who will be discharged in October. The rest of the band will complete their service in June 2025.