A day after completing his mandatory military service in South Korea, Jin, the eldest member of the K-pop sensation BTS, is preparing to greet 1000 fans with hugs.
Jin, who began his service in December 2022, was released from the army on Wednesday, making him the first BTS member to complete his duty. Military service is obligatory for nearly all able-bodied men in South Korea, typically requiring 18 months of service by age 28. However, a 2020 bill allows pop stars to defer their service until they turn 30.
“The last year and a half was a truckload of fun,” the 31-year-old said during a livestream on Weverse, the fan platform of BTS’ management company HYBE, adding, “It’s such a relief I met so many good people.” Jin will make his public reappearance on Thursday at the Seoul Fest, a celebration of South Korean entertainment, culture, and notable exports like K-pop, K-beauty, and Korean cuisine.
By Thursday morning, the festival was bustling with activities, including BTS sticker shops, bracelet-making stations, photo booths, and custom pin makers. Fans eagerly waited in line, some enjoying food in the shade, while others used umbrellas to shield themselves from the heat.
Superfans from around the world have traveled to attend the event. Ashley Stoudnour from Florida and Holly Campbell from Melbourne, Australia, told CNN they wouldn’t have missed the event for anything. Although they didn’t win a hug ticket in the raffle, Campbell, dressed in purple to match the band’s color, said, “Everyone here tried.”
Stoudnour emphasized, “BTS themselves put so much love into their songs, into their personality, and into their fans,” describing Jin as the “comedian of the group.” She added that fans traveling thousands of miles was their way of “giving love back.”
Another fan, Kim Yoon-jeong, expressed her excitement to support Jin despite crying all night after not securing a hug or a desired seat for his performance. She showcased her artwork, featuring digitally painted pictures of all BTS members and plush dolls, one dressed in a military uniform.
Michelle Pedraza, who also didn’t win a hug ticket, traveled from California with her hair dyed purple for the occasion. She joked, “No hug, but I’ll be breathing all the air that he’s breathing,” and added that she would likely be crying and shouting once Jin took the stage.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS has achieved global superstar status, with No. 1 hits in over 100 countries, numerous Billboard Music awards, the Entertainer of the Year honor from Time magazine in 2020, multiple titles at the 2021 American Music Awards, and even a Grammy nomination in 2021.
Beyond music, the members are also highly influential fashion icons, with fans closely following their style choices in music videos and on the red carpet.
