Seoul, South Korea
CNN
—
K-pop superstar Jin will start his obligatory army service subsequent month, a supply with direct data of the scenario confirmed Friday, after the BTS singer appealed to the supergroup’s devoted followers to steer clear of his South Korean military coaching heart.
The supply mentioned the 29-year-old star, BTS’ oldest member, will enter service December 13 at Yeoncheon military base within the northern Gyeonggi province.
Army service is obligatory in South Korea, the place virtually all able-bodied males are required to serve within the military for 18 months by the point they’re 28 years outdated.
South Korea’s parliament passed a bill in 2020 permitting pop stars – specifically those that “excel in in style tradition and artwork” – to defer their service till the age of 30.
Jin’s service will start with a five-week primary coaching course earlier than being assigned to a unit, based mostly on commonplace apply.
The transfer had been extensively anticipated.
Final month, BTS’ document label mentioned that every one seven members of the group had been planning to undertake military service and Jin – who turns 30 on December 4 – could be the primary to enlist.
On Thursday, Jin posted a message on fan group app Weverse, urging followers to not go to the army coaching heart to get a glimpse of him amid studies of his impending enlistment. He didn’t deny the studies within the put up.
“Stories have come out towards my will, however our ARMYs (BTS followers), shouldn’t come to the coaching heart,” he wrote. “It may very well be harmful as a result of the place will likely be crowded with many individuals in addition to me who’re coming. ARMY, I like you.”
BTS has been regularly in comparison with The Beatles, even breaking one of many English rock band’s information with three Billboard No. 1 albums in a single 12 months.
Their devoted fan base calls themselves the “BTS Military,” propelling their music and coming to their protection on social media in 2019 when the group was shut out from Grammy nominations. They’ve been nominated for 3 Grammy Awards in 2023.
With their army service looming, BTS mentioned in June it might press pause to pursue solo initiatives. The group is anticipated to reconvene in 2025, in keeping with their document label.
