Jin will begin his mandatory military service on Tuesday (Picture: AP/Werverse)
BTS’ management agency Hybe/Big Hit Music has issued an additional statement on band member Jin’s imminent military enlistment as the star showed off his freshly-shorn locks.
All able-bodied men in South Korea are required to perform between 18 and 21 months of military service after their 18th birthday and by 28 at the latest.
This includes the K-pop megastars, all of whom have been confirmed as set to fulfil their requirement to undertake the mandatory service – if a little later than usual in some cases.
Jin, the oldest member of BTS, celebrated his 30th birthday on December 4 and will start his training on Tuesday, December 13.
He previously released a statement in November begging fans not to visit the army camp in Yeoncheon County of Gyeonggi Province after details where reported by several South Korean media outlets, citing the danger of over-crowding.
Now Hybe has echoed his request, confirming that there will be ‘no separate special event’ at all to mark the occasion and confirming that Jin will ‘enter the grounds of the recruit training centre while in a vehicle without greeting the media or fans separately’.
He is the first member of BTS to enlist, but the rest will follow, their management has previously confirmed (Pictur: Getty)
‘We are informing you regarding BTS’s Jin’s military enlistment,’ the statement began, via Soompi.
It continued: ‘Jin will be enlisting in the army as an active-duty soldier to fulfil his military duty. As we have announced before, there is no separate official event on the day of admission to the recruit training centre.’
Adding to Jin’s concerns, the agency also requested that media keep their distance too.
‘On the day of, the site is expected to be very crowded with enlisting soldiers, family members, and some fans. We ask the media to please refrain from visiting the site.’
They then confirmed that the singer would arrive in a car without greeting fans or reporters.
Jin had urged fans in November not to come to the rmy centre, with Hybe now following suit as they shared details of his arrival (Picture: Han Myung-Gu/WireImage)
BTS is also made up (in age order) of Suga, RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook (Picture: Getty)
‘In order to prevent safety accidents caused by on-site congestion, Jin will enter the grounds of the recruit training centre while in a vehicle without greeting the media or fans separately. Due to the nature of the venue, we ask for your understanding that there is no separate waiting space for reporters.’
The statement finished: ‘The agency will not spare its efforts and continued support until the day Jin fulfils his military service duties and returns in good health. Thank you.’
The BTS star also unveiled his fresh buzz cut over the weekend on Weverse ahead of his enlistment.
In 2020, South Korea’s parliament passed a bill to allow its K-pop stars to delay their national service until the age of 30.
Jin showed off his fresh buzz cut on Weverse ahead of his enlistment (Picture: Werverse)
According to the management company’s notice to financial regulators, Suga, 29, RM and J-Hope, both 28, Jimin and V, both 26, and Jungkook, 25, will follow suit and serve over the next few years.
Exemptions have been made in the past for prize-winning athletes, dancers and classical musicians who have been seen as boosting the country’s profile internationally.
While Jungkook, despite some backlash, kicked off the Qatar World Cup earlier this month with an electric performance, BTS are also making sure they remain in their fans’ hearts during the various disruptions each member’s military service will cause.
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The group has announced a Disney docuseries that will premiere next year.
BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star will showcase ‘the daily lives, thoughts and plans’ of the group’s members ‘as they prepare for their second chapter,’ following the news earlier this year that the band were taking a break (sort of) to focus on solo projects.
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He reports for training on Tuesday as his mandatory military service begins.
