J-Hope, K-pop star and member of the supergroup BTS, was discharged from South Korea's military on Thursday after completing the country's mandatory military service requirement.
Wearing a uniform and black beret, J-Hope exited the military camp in Wonju, Gangwon province after 18 months of service, saluting the press, around 100 cheering fans and fellow BTS member Jin. Jin, the oldest member of BTS, finished his military service in June, and presented J-Hope with a bouquet of flowers.
South Korea mandates all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 serve 18 to 21 months in the military or equivalent civilian service. The country remains technically at war with North Korea, as the 1950-53 Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
Exceptionally talented athletes and artists can sometimes be exempted from military service. Supporters have argued that BTS members and other K-pop stars serve as valuable cultural ambassadors for South Korea, but lawmakers disagreed. However, they permitted the pop stars to postpone their enlistment until they reached the age of 30.
Jin enlisted first in December 2022, followed by J-Hope in April 2023. A third BTS member, Suga, began his military service in September 2023.
The last four members of the seven-member K-pop group - RM, Jimin, Jungkook and V - began their required service in December 2023 and will be finished in June 2025, after which the group will be able to reunite.
BTS debuted in 2013 and broke into the global music scene by 2017, leading the rise of K-pop in the United States.
The group has garnered six number one hits and was the first K-pop group to have an album debut at number one on Billboard's all genre-tally, according to Billboard. They've been nominated for multiple Grammys, including for best pop group/duo music performance and best music video.
Members of the group who've completed their military service are expected to focus on their solo careers until the group is able to reunite.
Jin has already gotten started, with his solo album 'Happy' releasing in November, according to BigHit Music.
