Jin, a member of the popular South Korean boy band BTS, has begun his mandatory military service in South Korea.
In a statement, the band asked fans to refrain from visiting the site of Jin’s entrance ceremony, as the event is meant to be observed by military personnel and their families only.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to serve in the military for a period of at least 18 months. The country has a conscription system in place to maintain a strong national defense and to uphold the country’s democratic values.
Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, will be the first member of BTS to begin his military service.
The band’s statement emphasized that they will not be holding any official events to mark the occasion, and asked fans to keep their words of support and farewell in their hearts.
“Jin will fulfill his required time with the military by enlisting in the army. Please note that we will not be holding any kind of official event on the day of his recruitment,” the statement reads.
“The entrance ceremony is a time to be observed by military personnel and their families only. In order to prevent any issues that might occur from crowding, we ask fans to please refrain from visiting the site. Instead, we ask you to keep your heartwarming words of support and farewell in your hearts.”
