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Korea — K-pop megastar J-Hope from BTS ended 18 months of South Korean military service Thursday, Oct. 17, with his bandmate embracing him and dozens of fans turning up to celebrate his return to the industry.
The seven members of the world’s most popular boy band have been on a self-described “hiatus” since 2022 due to their military service, which South Korea requires of all men under 30 due to tensions with the nuclear-armed North.
hope, the main dancer of the group, emerged from the gates of his army base in South Korea’s central Wonju city, where he was met by fellow band member Jin, who finished his service in June.
Outside the base fans had hung up colorful banners to welcome the star back to civilian life saying: “The sun is finally shining upon ARMY” referring to the group’s official fandom, and: “My bank account! It’s ready to go straight to J-hope!”
Fans had put a life-size cut out of J-hope dancing outside the base, with a giant balloon congratulating him on his military discharge flying overhead.
