Top idol group BTS’s eldest member, Jin (31, Kim Seokjin), famously known as ‘Worldwide Handsome,’ is finally returning to civilian life.
Jin will conclude his military service on June 12, marking 547 days since he began his active duty in the South Korean army on December 13, 2022, following his announcement via BigHit Music on October 17, 2022.
Jin served in the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, where he completed his service with distinction. He received excellent evaluations in various areas, including marksmanship, physical fitness, and mental fortitude, earning the title of a special warrior. His exemplary service was highlighted by his early promotions and role as a drill instructor at the training center.
In a delightful coincidence, Jin will make his first public appearance as a civilian at the ‘2024 Festa’ on June 13, the day after his discharge, which also coincides with BTS’s debut anniversary. The event, held at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul, will see Jin reuniting with 1,000 fans, where he will resume his activities as a member of BTS.
Anticipation for Jin’s return has been high. On May 2, 41 days before his discharge, Jin shared a message on BTS’s official Twitter, Weverse, and YouTube, expressing his eagerness to reunite with fans.
He said, “You will see me soon, but I miss you so much. Please remember that I will be by your side soon. See you soon, goodbye~,” raising expectations for his comeback.
Jin showcased his enduring visual appeal with long wavy hair, a flower crown, and self-designed angel pajamas.
A Highly Anticipated Return
Jin’s discharge is a moment many have eagerly awaited, carrying significant meaning for various reasons. BTS, lauded as the “21st Century Beatles,” saw all its members fulfill their mandatory military service obligations as South Korean men.
Jin, being the eldest, was the first to enlist, marking a bittersweet departure but now a joyous return.
While Jin’s return signifies the start of BTS’s countdown to the end of their military hiatus, the other members still have time left in their service.
J-Hope has 126 days remaining, RM and V have 362 days, Jimin and Jungkook have 363 days, and Suga has 373 days left. Thus, while Jin’s discharge marks a significant milestone, the group still has about a year until all members complete their service.
Jin’s Impact During Military Service
Even during his military service, Jin remained a chart-topping presence. His solo songs, including “Awake” (2016), “Epiphany” (2018), and “Moon” (2020), have consistently performed well on platforms like iTunes and the Billboard World Digital Song Chart. His OST contributions, such as “It’s Definitely You” (2016) for the KBS drama “Hwarang,” and solo releases like “Tonight” (2019), “Abyss” (2020), and “Yours” (2021) for the tvN drama “Jirisan,” have also garnered significant attention.
Two of Jin’s most popular tracks, “Super Tuna” and “The Astronaut,” have enjoyed immense success. “Super Tuna,” a light-hearted song Jin released as a birthday gift to fans, topped YouTube’s worldwide music trending charts for 16 consecutive days and sparked a global dance challenge. As of June 12, “Super Tuna” has over 114 million streams on Spotify.
Jin’s solo track “The Astronaut,” released just before his enlistment in collaboration with the global band Coldplay, also achieved notable milestones. The song, a serenade to fans before his temporary farewell, reached 50 million streams on Spotify within 22 days of its release and 100 million streams in 72 days, setting a record for the fastest time for a Korean male solo song to reach these numbers.
The ARMY Mobilizes
Jin’s discharge comes amid a delicate atmosphere at HYBE. Legal battles between HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, known for launching NewJeans, have created tension within the company. A petition on Change.org titled “MIN HEE JIN Leave HYBE Company” has garnered over 50,000 signatures as of June 10, reflecting the ongoing conflict.
While this situation doesn’t directly involve BTS, the timing of Jin’s return amid HYBE’s internal strife adds an additional layer of complexity. Fans, however, remain steadfast in their support for Jin and BTS, eager to welcome their ‘Worldwide Handsome’ back into the fold and looking forward to the group’s future activities.
