On December 13th, 2022, Jin enlisted in the army. BTS members RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook were with him to see him off.
Jin’s team reportedly won the military talent competition honouring Seollal recently, according to a post on an online forum. His team received an additional day of vacation as a reward. According to another report, Jin personally taught his teammates dance moves to help their team win the talent competition.
Jin attended his graduation ceremony on January 18th, having successfully completed his five weeks of basic training at the recruit training facility for the 5th Infantry Division.
A few weeks ago Jin posted on the fan community app Weverse for the first time since enlisting last month, sharing three photos of himself in a military uniform.
“I’m having fun. I’m posting a photo with permission from the military,” the 30-year-old wrote. “Army, always be happy and stay well,” he added.
In South Korea, nearly all able-bodied men are required to complete 18 months of military service by the time they turn 28 years old. A law that was approved by the parliament in 2020 allows South Koreans who “excel in popular culture and art” to postpone their conscription until the age of 30.
According to the South Korean military, Jin entered the Yeoncheon training centre on December 13, 2022, and has since been chosen to work as an assistant instructor at the Yeoncheon army base in northern Gyeonggi province.
The first BTS member to enlist is Jin, the group’s oldest member. According to the South Korean army website, he will be one of about 560,000 army personnel.
BIGHIT Music, the record label for the group, announced in October that all seven members would complete their required military service. Around 2025, BTS is anticipated to reunite as a group.
