J-Hope, one of the seven members of the internationally successful K-pop group BTS, has begun his mandatory military service in South Korea. According to local media sources, the 29-year-old singer enrolled on Tuesday, becoming the country’s second BTS member to meet the country’s military obligation after Jin in December 2021.
J-Hope, real name Jung Ho-Seok, said goodbye to supporters on Monday via Weverse, a social networking platform for BTS fans. He posted a selfie of his freshly shaven head with the caption, “I’ll be back later.” Over 10,000 people have commented on the message, wishing him a safe and healthy return.
While representatives for BTS’s agency, HYBE (previously Big Hit Entertainment), have not publicly verified J-Hope’s enlistment, it is widely assumed that all able-bodied men in South Korea between the ages of 18 and 28 must serve 18 to 21 months in the military.
Given the group’s tremendous popularity and global success, the issue of BTS’s military duty has been a matter of public discussion and controversy in South Korea for several years. Some politicians and fans have argued that BTS’s contributions to the country’s cultural exports surpass the military service requirement. HYBE, on the other hand, has frequently stated that all BTS members intend to carry out their responsibilities.
The news of J-Hope’s enrollment has once again focused attention on the group’s future, as well as the impact of military duty on their career trajectory. Nonetheless, fans all over the world continue to support and hope for the safe return of all BTS members, including J-Hope, as they carry out their patriotic duties.
