BTS members became emotional as they said their goodbyes to J-Hope on his enlistment day on April 18.
J-Hope enlisted as an active duty soldier and entered the 36th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Wonju, Gangwon Province in South Korea to fulfill his 18-month mandatory duty as a Korean male citizen.
BTS members with J-Hope on April 18 (Twitter/BTS)
BTS’ official YouTube channel uploaded a video titled “j-hope’s Entrance Ceremony with BTS” showing all BTS members gathering for J-Hope’s enlistment.
Before his enlistment, BTS members gathered to say their goodbyes. RM, Jimin, V, Suga, Jungkook and Jin met together for J-Hope.
Jin is currently fulfilling his military service and took a vacation to send J-Hope off to the military. Based on military rules, Jin did not appear in the video.
BTS members with J-Hope on his enlistment day on April 18 (Screenshots from BTS video)
As J-Hope saw Suga, he told him, “Good luck on your tour.”
BTS members commented on J-Hope’s short hair, telling him, “It suits you.”
“It's actually pretty refreshing!” said J-Hope.
V told him, “Think of me when you wash your hair.”
“The rain just bounces off,” he said.
When Jimin arrived, he said, “Our J-Hope. They're leaving one by one [for the military].” He hugged J-Hope tightly.
Jimin asked him, “How do you feel? Did you get some sleep?”
J-Hope said he only slept for three hours and only had coffee, saying, “Yeah, I left at around 5,”
“I was fine when Jin left but with J-Hope leaving I'm pretty sad, I'm kidding!” said Jungkook.
As RM arrived, he said, “I was so sad to see Hobi go.”
RM was asked, “Did you drink because j-hope is leaving?”
“Seeing you go…I don't know,” RM said to J-Hope.
“I think j-hope is going at a good time though,” said Jimin while V commented, “Isn't this the best season to go?”
V joked, “But if someone cries here won't it be too different than it was with Jin?” All BTS members also gathered when Jin enlisted last Dec. 13.
“Let's not do that,” said J-Hope.
Jin suddenly arrived and J-Hope made a salute.
"You look exactly like your dad!” Jungkook told Jin.
BTS took group photos and each member also had a photo with J-Hope.
“I'm so sad to see J-Hope go,” said RM who became teary-eyed. “It's sad. It feels weird.”
Before J-Hope boarded his vehicle to enlist, he left a message for BTS ARMYs.
“I'm off now. I'm fulfilling my duty as an able-bodied Korean man. I'll be sure to make a safe return and be better than ever and greet you then. Fighting! I love you!” said J-Hope.
J-Hope will undergo basic military training for five weeks before being assigned to his unit. He will serve as an active duty soldier.
He will be discharged from the army on Oct. 17, 2024.