BTS's Jin completes mandatory military service — in pictures

BTS member Jin became the first member of the K-pop megaband to officially complete the country's mandatory military service.

BTS's Jin, with a bouquet in his hand, waves at dozens of cameras on Wednesday as he gets discharged from the ROK Army 5th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi, on Wednesday, after completing 18 months of his mandatory military service. [YONHAP]

BTS member Jin became the first member of the K-pop megaband to officially complete the country's mandatory military service. He was discharged from the army on Wednesday after serving the country for a total of 18 months.

As he walked out from the ROK Army 5th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi, his fellow member RM, who serves in the military band, began playing the band's hit song "Dynamite" (2020) on his saxophone.

Jin is spotted walking out just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday from the ROK Army 5th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi. [NEWS1]

BTS's RM, center, plays "Dynamite" on his saxophone for Jin on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

Apart from Suga, the other five members of BTS who are all currently on active duty showed up in Yeoncheon to welcome Jin. They all got a hug from him, except for RM who had to keep on playing music in the background. RM finally got his hug after the song came to an end.

Suga, who is serving as a social service agent, later joined the members at the HYBE Headquarters in Yongsan District, central Seoul, and all seven members went live on Weverse to communicate with their fans.

Jin and J-Hope [NEWS1]

Jimin and V [NEWS1]

Jin and RM [NEWS1]

"It's been one year and six months. I wasn't going to cry, but I was so happy and I just couldn't help tearing up," said Jin as he turned on the live cam. He also added that some of his fellow soldiers "cried their eyes out."

While waving to dozens of reporters and fellow soldiers, Jin was in tears at several moments.

BTS members went live on Weverse at the HYBE Headquarters in Yongsan, central Seoul, on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Jin with teary eyes on Wednesday as he says farewell to his fellow soldiers [NEWS1]

Jin with teary eyes as he says goodbye to some of the officials from the army on Wednesday [NEWS1]

During the live session on Weverse, Jin also showed off the letters he received from soldiers and how he was awarded numerous times during his enlistment.

While dozens of reporters gathered outside the 5th Infantry Division, there were not many BTS fans present due to the agency’s request to refrain from visiting over safety concerns.

Fans instead sent their regards through placards and buses wrapped with images of BTS and Jin. Pictures were also placed around the training center. Balloons celebrating his discharge were also visible from afar, according to media reports.

The placards were filled with affectionate messages, such as "Seokjin, you did great for 548 days, we will stay by your side with unwavering love," "You did well, Seokjin, now ARMY will protect you," "Super soldier Kim Seok-jin, loved by the Earth and cheered on by the universe. Let's be together with ARMY forever!" and "Welcome back to ARMY."

A bus welcoming Jin parked outside the ROK Army 5th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi, on Wednesday [NEWS1]

A placard supporting and showing love towards Jin is hung in front of the ROK Army 5th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi, on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

Reporters get ready to take pictures of Jin as he walks out from the training center on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

Jin will attend the "2024 Festa," an offline event and debut anniversary celebration at Seoul Jamsil Gymnasium in Songpa District in southern Seoul, meeting fans on Thursday afternoon, just a day after his discharge. During the event, he'll be carrying out a free hug event, where he'll give hugs to 1,000 fans.

Jin returns home with BTS members while RM continues to play background music. [NEWS1]

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]