K-pop musician intends to embrace 1,000 supporters following completion of mandatory military duty.
Jin commenced his military training in late 2022 and was dismissed from the army on a Wednesday. He was the first person in the group to complete his duty.
Because military service is mandatory in South Korea, it disrupted one of the world's most accomplished modern pop ensembles. Nearly all physically fit men in the country have to serve for 18 months by the time they're 28 years old. In 2020, the parliament passed a law enabling entertainers who excel in popular culture and art to delay their service until they're 30.
The 31-year-old says, "The past year and a half were incredibly enjoyable. It's such a relief that I've met so many good people," during a live broadcast on the fan site Weverse, speaking from the BTS management agency, HYBE's offices.
Jin's first encounter with the public will be at the Seoul Fest event happening on Thursday. This gathering celebrates South Korean entertainment, culture, and a few of its most renowned cultural exports, such as K-pop, K-beauty, and Korean cuisine.
A thousand fortunate fans who claimed victory in a raffle will receive hugs from Jin. He'll also perform three songs for around 4,000 chosen attendees in the Jamsil Sports Complex.
The festival was bursting with activity and stalls by Thursday morning, such as photo booths, bracelet-making, personalized pins, BTS sticker shops, and much more. Fans queued to enter, and some lounged under the shade or brandished umbrellas to avoid the sweltering heat.
Some overzealous aficionados have traveled from abroad to participate.
Holly Campbell, who came from Melbourne, Australia, and Ashley Stoudnour, from Florida, both said they wouldn't have missed the event for the world. They participated in the raffle in the hopes of getting a hug, but they were unsuccessful. "Everyone was giving it their best effort," Campbell joked, bedecked in purple from her shiny boots to her lavender bonnet.
Purple has become closely tied with BTS since member V said it symbolized the band's long-lasting love and connection to their admirers. Since then, the color has been present in many of their live shows, merchandise, and collaborations.
"BTS transmits so much love – they channel it into their music, personalities, and fans," Stoudnour said. To welcome Jin back, enthusiasts from around the world flew thousands of miles.
Another fan, Kim Yoon-jeong, disclosed that she wept all night when she learned she didn't get a cherished seat in the venue for Jin's performance or a hug. But she remained enthusiastic about supporting him. Speaking to CNN at the festival, she displayed her digitally painted portraits of each BTS member and a minuscule collection of plush dolls of them, including one member in a military uniform.
Michelle Pedraza, a fan who traveled from California but also missed out on winning a hug ticket, demonstrated her purple-tinted hair for the occasion. "No hug, but all of the air he's breathing, I'll be breathing," she quipped, adding that she'd probably be weeping and shouting when he appeared on stage.
BTS has become international sensations since their debut in 2013, achieving chart-topping singles in more than 100 countries. The group has garnered a myriad of accolades, such as numerous Billboard Awards, Time magazine's Entertainer of the Year 2020 award, and multiple honors at the 2021 American Music Awards. They even received a Grammy nomination in 2021.
Aside from music, the band's members are also some of the world's most notable fashion icons. Their attire in red-carpet appearances and music videos is closely examined, and they've been envoys for prestigious fashion labels.
In 2021, Louis Vuitton contracted the group to represent the brand, while Dior provided custom-made stage apparel for their 2019 tour. Individual members have also appeared in various high-end fashion advertisements.
In the last few years, the hiatus that military service would induce has been an issue. Jin was the first in the group to enroll at age 30. BTS is predicted to reassemble as an ensemble around 2025.
This article will be updated as the story advances.
