Seoul, South Korea
CNN
—
Ok-pop celebrity Jin will start his obligatory army service subsequent month, a supply with direct data of the state of affairs confirmed Friday, after the BTS singer appealed to the supergroup’s devoted followers to steer clear of his South Korean military coaching middle.
The supply stated the 29-year-old star, BTS’ oldest member, will enter service December 13 at Yeoncheon military base within the northern Gyeonggi province.
Military 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virtually all able-bodied males are required to serve within the military for 18 months by the point they’re 28 years outdated.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 handed a invoice in 2020 permitting pop stars – particularly those that “excel in popular culture and art” – 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 observe.
The transfer had been extensively anticipated.
Last month, BTS’ report label stated that every one seven members of the group had been planning to undertake army 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 middle to get a glimpse of him amid experiences of his impending enlistment. He didn’t deny the experiences within the put up.
“Reports have come out against my will, but our ARMYs (BTS fans), should not come to the training center,” he wrote. “It could be dangerous because the place will be crowded with many people besides me who are coming. ARMY, I love you.”
BTS has been often in comparison with The Beatles, even breaking one of many English rock band’s data with three Billboard No. 1 albums in a single yr.
Their devoted fan base calls themselves the “BTS Army,” propelling their music and coming to their protection on social media in 2019 when the group was shut out from Grammy nominations. They have been nominated for 3 Grammy Awards in 2023.
With their army service looming, BTS stated in June it might press pause to pursue solo initiatives. The group is anticipated to reconvene in 2025, based on their report label.