Jin becomes first member of K-Pop supergroup BTS to enlist for mandatory military service

Seoul — Jin, a member of South Korea’s Okay-Pop celebrity band BTS, has shaved his head and joined the military. At 30 Jin is the eldest member of the band, making him first in line to place his pop profession on maintain to fulfil his obligatory nationwide navy service.

An enormous purple banner was hung close to the doorway to the Yeoncheon County navy coaching middle Tuesday, welcoming “Jin and each enlisted man” as they signed up for service.

BTS announced in June that it could pause its touring schedule, resulting in a sudden drop within the inventory value of the group’s dad or mum leisure firm, Hybe, of virtually 25% in a single day.

A photograph posted on the group’s Twitter account confirmed Jin, along with his new regulation navy buzz reduce, laughing along with his BTS bandmates. The accompanying message learn: “My brother! Come again secure! I like you.”

Questions over whether or not the younger males of BTS can be required to enlist below South Korean legislation bubbled for years, stoking heated debates over the whole lot from the requirement being for males solely, as to if the band’s big cultural contribution and incomes energy — each domestically and as representatives of South Korea on a world stage — ought to exempt them.

After machinations by the federal government to grant the band a go drew a pointy rebuke — particularly from former members of the navy — the Ministry of Defense ruled in 2019 that the boys of BTS would, the truth is, should serve.

Most wholesome Korean males are required to serve within the navy for 18 months.

Pop star Psy, of “Gangnam Style” fame, has even been enlisted twice: As he managed to squeeze in so many musical performances throughout his first stint within the military, officers deemed his nationwide service insufficient and required him to enlist once more. He has now accomplished his second enlistment interval and brought his singing profession again on the highway.

However there isn’t a assure for boy band members that careers shelved for navy service will likely be ready for them after they return. On this planet of pop and common tradition, 18 months is a very long time. Being out of the general public eye for therefore lengthy — particularly for a band like BTS, which has members of a spread of ages, that means its hiatus will likely be staggered and drag on for years — can see even essentially the most fervent of fanbases fade away.

And BTS could have essentially the most fervent group of followers on the earth – or no less than on the web. “The Military,” as they considerably paradoxically name themselves, replied to the band’s tweet on Tuesday with regret, lament, and vows to stay loyal to their Okay-Pop heroes.

“We are going to await u jin, we love u,” declared one fan below the person deal with mia. One other merely posted a brief clip of a lady crying on her knees with the phrase “ARMY” emblazoned over her, in entrance of a superimposed picture of the automotive driving Jin into the recruitment middle.

It’s extensively assumed at this stage that BTS will no less than try to reunite in 2025, as soon as all of the members have fulfilled their navy service requirement.

At a each day information briefing, a Protection Ministry official sought to reassure nervous followers about Jin’s security as he enlisted, noting that some 300 safety personnel have been dispatched to assist management crowds gathered on the website.

The power, consisting of members of the South Korean Military (the precise military, not the BTS followers), native police and hearth departments have been “collectively doing their greatest to forestall security accidents.”

From Tuesday, Jin will undergo 5 weeks of bootcamp coaching. It has been reported, although not confirmed by the navy, that he’ll then be assigned to a front-line unit close to the tense border with North Korea. 

CBS Information’ Tucker Reals contributed to this report.