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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider BTS' J-Hope enlists in the army: See you in 2024

BTS' J-Hope enlists in the army: See you in 2024

Published Apr 18, 2023 06:04 am
BTS member J-Hope (real name: Jung Ho-seok) enlisted in the army on April 18, becoming the second member of the Grammy-nominated group to fulfill the mandatory military service.  In the afternoon of April 18, J-Hope entered the 36th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Wonju, Gangwon Province in South Korea.  BTS' J-Hope sporting a short hair on April 17 for his military service (Weverse, Instagram)

The situation outside the 36th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Wonju, Gangwon Province in South Korea on April 18 (Screenshot from MBC video)
J-Hope with other BTS members on April 18 (Twitter) Aboard a private vehicle, J-Hope arrived at the army training center at about 1:54 p.m. KST (12:54 p.m. Philippine time), Korean media reported. 2 p.m. is the designated check-in time for recruits. The entrance ceremony for the recruits was scheduled at 2:30 p.m. KST, according to a news report.  “I love you ARMY. I'll be back in good health!!” he wrote on the Weverse app on April 17 along with photos showing him sporting a short hair.  BTS members sent J-Hope off to the Army. In photos posted on Twitter, J-Hope is with fellow BTS members including Jin who is in an Army uniform. He is the second member of BTS to enlist in the military. Four months ago, Jin entered the 5th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea on Dec. 13. Jin is serving as an active duty soldier and will be discharged on June 12, 2024.  When Jin enlisted in the army, BTS members accompanied him to the training site. Near the 36th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Gangwon, a bus with a photo and name of J-Hope that was prepared by fans was seen parked.  Police patrol cars, fire trucks and ambulances were deployed by authorities outside the gate of the training camp as a safety precaution.  J-Hope will undergo basic military training for five weeks before being assigned to his unit. He will serve as an active duty soldier. 

Preparation

  Last Feb. 26, Big Hit Music, BTS’ agency, announced that “J-Hope has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement.” This was the first step that allowed J-Hope to receive an enlistment notice from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA), Korea’s government agency that is responsible for conscription.  Under a law that took effect in June 2021, all BTS members were granted the privilege to postpone their military service until the age 30.  The law allows outstanding pop culture artists like BTS to postpone the start of their military service until they reach 30 years old. It specifies that artists are qualified for the privilege if they are recipients of cultural medals and if they are recommended by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST). BTS members qualified under the law as they received the Korean government’s Hwagwan (Flower Crown) Order of Cultural Merit in October 2018 for their contribution to spreading Hallyu, or Korean Wave, around the world. J-Hope needed to cancel his enlistment postponement privilege in order to enlist. 

Going to the Army

  Last April 1, Big Hit Music said that “J-Hope will fulfill his required time with the military by enlisting in the Army. Please note that there will be no official event on the day of his entry.”  “The entrance ceremony is a time to be observed by military personnel and their families only. To prevent any issues that might occur from crowding, fans are advised to refrain from visiting the site. Instead, we ask you to keep your heartwarming words of support and farewell in your hearts,” it added. 

Farewell

  Last April 14, J-Hope held a live broadcast on the Weverse app to update fans on his military service.  “And what I can tell you is that you shouldn't worry too much and that I'll be back safely. I want to tell you this,” he assured fans.  J-Hope will be discharged from the army on Oct. 17, 2024 or after serving for 18 months. 

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