SEOUL, Dec 13 (Reuters) – South Korea’s army acquired a brand new recruit on Tuesday: Jin, the oldest member of Ok-pop phenomenon BTS, started 18 months of necessary nationwide service, full with newly shaven head.
Dozens of followers braved freezing, snowy climate to hurry him on his means at his bootcamp within the jap county of Yeoncheon, the place frontline troops are deployed on guard in opposition to North Korea.
“I want it was a heat day,” Lee Jin, 24, advised Reuters outdoors the camp, the place about 300 army, police and fireplace officers maintained tight safety. “I hope he might be handled nicely with out discrimination.”
BTS introduced plans in October to enroll in necessary army service, beginning with Jin, who turned 30 on Dec. 4, after having postponed his service for the utmost time allowed.
“He’s so skinny,” stated Mandy Lee, a 30-year-old fan from Hong Kong. “I need him to eat extra and keep wholesome and protected.”
The band will reunite in 2025 after pursuing particular person tasks.
After 5 weeks’ coaching on the camp, about 45 km (28 miles) from the closely fortified Demilitarized Zone that separates the 2 Koreas, Jin might be deployed to a unit that has not but been specified.
[1/11] A fan holding an image waits for the arrival of Jin, the oldest member of the Ok-pop band BTS, outdoors a South Korean military boot camp close to the demilitarized zone separating the 2 Koreas, in Yeoncheon, South Korea December 13, 2022. REUTERS/Heo Ran
“Now it is time for a curtain name,” Jin wrote on BTS fan platform Weverse early on Tuesday earlier than getting into the camp in a automotive. His shaved head was “cuter” than he imagined, he joked when he posted {a photograph} of it the day prior to this.
BTS’ administration, Large Hit Music, stated there could be no official occasion and requested followers to keep away from travelling to the boot camp, citing security considerations.
South Korea requires army service of about two years from all able-bodied males between the ages of 18 and 28, nevertheless it revised the legislation in 2019 to let globally recognised Ok-pop stars delay signing up till 30.
Some lawmakers have pushed for a shorter time period, granted to medal winners on the Olympics and Asian Video games, in addition to some classical musicians, however a invoice remains to be pending.
On Tuesday, Yonhap information company stated one other BTS member, Suga, has been judged unfit for energetic responsibility and would do neighborhood service as an alternative.
Large Hit declined to substantiate the report on privateness grounds, however stated all band members would fulfil their duties.
Many artists have obtained the “leisure soldier” designation to permit them to maintain a hand in by performing for troops or showing in propaganda.
South Korea’s defence minister has stated BTS would have the ability to carry out abroad whereas within the army.
Reporting by Hyonhee Shin and Hyeyeon Kim; Modifying by Kenneth Maxwell and Clarence Fernandez
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