Big Hit Music, the agency of K-pop superstars BTS, has confirmed member Jin’s military enlistment but pleaded with fans not to go to the site.
“We want to thank you for your continued support of BTS and would like to update you on Jin’s upcoming enlistment into the military,” it said in a notice on Dec. 6.
The agency said there will be no event to mark Jin’s entry to the military.
“Jin will fulfill his required time with the military by enlisting in the army. Please note that we will not be holding any kind of official event on the day of his recruitment,” it said.
It added, “The entrance ceremony is a time to be observed by military personnel and their families only. In order to prevent any issues that might occur from crowding, we ask fans to please refrain from visiting the site. Instead, we ask you to keep your heartwarming words of support and farewell in your hearts.”
“We also advise you not to get adversely affected by purchasing unauthorized tours or product packages illegally using artist IP. Our company will take necessary action against any attempts at commercial activity making unauthorized use of such IP,” it said.
The agency added, “We ask for your continued love and support for Jin until he finishes his military service and comes back. Our company will also strive to provide every support he needs during this time.”
Jin will be enlisting on Dec. 13 at the 5th Infantry Division recruit training center in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea at 2 p.m., the usual time that Korean military training centers open their doors to hundreds of recruits.
He turned 30 on Dec. 4 and as the oldest in the group, he is the first member of BTS to enlist in the military, a mandatory duty for all Korean men. He will serve for 18 months.
After the new came out that he would be entering the military, he posted on the Weverse app, “The article I didn't want was published, but our ARMYs, you can't come to the training center. There are many people besides me, so it can be crowded and dangerous. ARMYs, I love you.”
He will receive five weeks of basic military training before he is deployed as an active-duty soldier to a frontline unit, referring to a unit near the border of South Korea and North Korea.
He earlier revealed that he would be deployed to the frontline when he was asked by a fan.
"It's your birthday next month! Are you excited?" a fan asked him and he replied, “Not really... I'm appointed to the front-line," SBS News reported.
A Korean journalist earlier told Manila Bulletin that Jin’s post meant that he will be deployed to the “frontline toward NK .”