Military enlistment date for BTS’s Jin revealed

BTS’s Jin will officially begin his mandatory military service on Dec. 13.

South Korean news outlets KBS News and Yonhap News Agency reported on Thursday that unnamed sources in the South Korean military confirmed his enlistment.

The outlets also reported that Jin would report to a recruit training center in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do, for a five-week basic training program, after which he will serve duties in a frontline unit.

Following those reports, BTS’s label Big Hit issued a response to Ilgan Sports, saying, “It is difficult to confirm. We ask for your generous understanding.” Jin himself later took to WeVerse to confirm the reports to fans, writing:

“Even though I didn’t want the article to be published, ARMYs shouldn’t come to the training center. There will be other people apart from me, and it may be dangerous if it were crowded. ARMY, I love you.”

This new confirmation is the latest update since Jin reportedly applied to cancel his request for conscription postponement with the official Military Manpower Administration several weeks ago.

Jin is the first of the septet K-pop group to enlist. HYBE has announced they plan for all seven BTS members to serve and are aiming to reconvene as an entire act “around 2025.”

Currently, all able-bodied South Korean men must enlist for two years of military service by the time they turn 28. However, the members of BTS were allowed to defer this by two years due to a revision to the Military Service Act dubbed the “BTS law.” Jin’s enlistment ends months of debate among Korean officials and fans regarding if and how the K-pop stars should serve their enlistment.

Last month, Jin made his solo debut with the single “The Astronaut,” which was co-written by Coldplay. He also recently became an ambassador for the instant ramen brand Jin Ramen.

In related BTS news, group leader RM announced the tracklist for his upcoming solo album “Indigo,” which features collaborations from the likes of Anderson .Paak, Tablo and more. Fellow member Jungkook also kicked off the opening ceremonies of the 2022 FIFA World Cup this week with a live performance of his new song “Dreamers.”

Feature Image via GQ

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