J-Hope was greeted by a crowd of fans and one of his BTS bandmates as he was discharged from military service on Thursday in Wonju, South Korea.
The K-pop star, 30, beamed and proudly saluted after completing his 18 months of mandatory military service at the army’s 36th Infantry Division.
He was met by his bandmate, Jin, who completed his own military service in June and who presented his pal with several bunches of flowers.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.
The band’s devoted followers, who call themselves the BTS Army, camped out to see the singer, whose legal name is Jung Ho-seok, outside the military base.
J-Hope was greeted by a crowd of fans and one of his BTS bandmates as he was discharged from military service on Thursday in Wonju, South Korea .
The K-pop star, 30, beamed and proudly saluted after completing his 18 months of mandatory military service at the army’s 36th Infantry Division
He was met by his bandmate, Jin, who completed his own military service in June and who presented his pal with several bunches of flowers
They brought along knitted dolls, banners and cardboard cutouts of J-Hope as they celebrated his return.
J-Hope playfully twirled around and waved to the crowd as he emerged from the military base, sporting his full army uniform and beret.
He then addressed the gathered media and fans, with his bandmate Jin sweetly kneeling on the floor to hold up a microphone for him.
According to The Korea Times, J-Hope said: ‘Thanks to the fans, I was able to finish it (the service) safely, with good health.
‘During my 18 months of military service, I performed duties as an instructor and marched a lot, so I saw many Wonju citizens. I want to thank the citizens who greeted and cheered for the soldiers. It was very touching.
‘During the service, I felt soldiers have been working hard, dedicating themselves, and doing so much for the country to protect it. I think it would be even more meaningful if the public showed such warm interest and love.
‘Thank you for your great support, encouragement and love. I’ve been discharged healthy and well.’
He later appeared on a live stream from his agency’s headquarters, surrounded by balloons, cake and flowers, to speak to the BTS Army and teased it was ‘time to show you BTS’ J-Hope again, not Sgt Jung Ho-seo’.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea
The band’s devoted followers, who call themselves the BTS Army, camped out to see the singer, whose legal name is Jung Ho-seok, outside the military base
They brought along knitted dolls, banners and cardboard cutouts of J-Hope as they celebrated his return
J-Hope playfully twirled around and waved to the crowd as he emerged from the military base, sporting his full army uniform and beret
He then addressed the gathered media and fans, with his bandmate Jin sweetly kneeling on the floor to hold up a microphone for him
He said: ‘Thank you for your great support, encouragement and love. I’ve been discharged healthy and well’
According to news agency Yonhap, he said: ‘I took a break as Jung Ho-seok, but now I’m back as J-Hope. I’ll lead you on a path of flowers.
“I matured a lot and came out healthy. Living in Wonju and working as a training instructor was great, and honestly, the food was delicious.”
‘I’ll continue to show you my best. Some activities are already planned, but there are still details to work out, so I’ll keep checking on that.
‘Now that I’ve taken off the beret and military uniform, I think it’s time to show you BTS’ J-Hope again, not Sgt Jung Ho-seok. I love you all.’
J-Hope began his basic training in April last year, and was appointed as an assistant training instructor the following month.
He was the second member of the hugely popular K-pop band to start his compulsory service, after Jin became the first to serve after revoking his request to delay his conscription.
Their fellow bandmates, Suga, V, Jungkook, Jimin, and group leader RM are still currently serving, set to be discharged in June 2025.
Jin cried tears of joy as RM, Jimin, J-hope, V, and Jungkook, took leave from their own duties to meet him at the army gates in June as he completed more than 500 days of service.
He later appeared on a live stream from his agency’s headquarters, surrounded by balloons, cake and flowers, to speak to the BTS Army and teased it was ‘time to show you BTS’ J-Hope again, not Sgt Jung Ho-seo’
J-Hope began his basic training in April last year, and was appointed as an assistant training instructor the following month
He was the second member of the hugely popular K-pop band to start his compulsory service, after Jin became the first to serve after revoking his request to delay his conscription
Their fellow bandmates, Suga, V, Jungkook, Jimin, and group leader RM are still currently serving, set to be discharged in June 2025 (BTS pictured in 2019)
The seven members of BTS have been on a self-described ‘hiatus’ since 2022 due to their military service, with he world’s most popular boy band expected to reunite as a full group in 2026.
Korean mandatory military service must be completed once by all men between the ages of 18 and 35. Women can also participate, but it is on a purely voluntary basis.
The law allows men to postpone their service until 28, with those in the entertainment profession permitted to postpone conscription until the age of 30.
Special exemptions are also given to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige.
However, K-pop stars and other entertainers are not subject to the same privileges.
Lawmakers in the National Assembly have debated possible exemptions for BTS members, but a series of public surveys showed sharply split opinions over the issue.
Defense Minister Lee Jong-Sup said at the time that it would be ‘desirable’ for BTS members to implement their duties to promote fairness in the country´s military service.
Jin cried tears of joy as RM, Jimin, J-hope, V, and Jungkook, took leave from their own duties to meet him at the army gates in June as he completed more than 500 days of service (pictured)
The seven members of BTS have been on a self-described ‘hiatus’ since 2022 due to their military service, with he world’s most popular boy band expected to reunite as a full group in 2026 (pictured in 2022)
Formed in 2013, BTS expanded its popularity in the West with its 2020 megahit ‘Dynamite,’ the band´s first all-English song that made BTS the first K-pop act to top Billboard´s Hot 100 (fans pictured in December 2021)
Exemptions or dodging of military duties are a highly sensitive issue in South Korea, because the draft forces young men to suspend their studies or professional careers.
Hybe Corp said in October that each member of the band for the time being would focus on individual activities scheduled around their military service plans.
Formed in 2013, BTS expanded its popularity in the West with its 2020 megahit ‘Dynamite,’ the band´s first all-English song that made BTS the first K-pop act to top Billboard´s Hot 100.
Their album, Map of the Soul: 7, sold at least 500,000 copies that year, with the only other album to do so being Taylor Swift’s Folklore, according to Nielsen Music’s annual report.
