SEOUL, Republic of korea — K-pop star Jin began his 18 months of mandatory military service in Republic of korea on Tuesday, launching supergroup BTS and its army of fans into an uncertain new era.

Jin reported to a kick camp nigh the country's border with its nuclear-armed neighbor, making him the first BTS star to serve in the armed forces. He is the group'south oldest member, and he volition exist followed in enlisting in the coming years by his 6 bandmates — meaning BTS will accept a hiatus for a few years.

Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, reported to a preparation center in Yeoncheon where front end-line troops are deployed on guard against North korea early Tuesday.

He will undergo five weeks of basic grooming, which will involve rifle-shooting, grenade-throwing and marching practices, earlier he is assigned to a military unit.

5 hundred other young men are serving the mandatory military service with Jin, the Southward Korean Defence force Ministry said.

Jin posted a photo on Weverse, an online fan platform, on Sunday showing himself with a military buzz cut.

He besides left a bulletin for his fans hours before he entered the camp, saying, "Information technology'due south time for a drapery call."

Jin, the oldest member of K-pop supergroup BTS, was set to enter a frontline South Korean boot camp Tuesday to start his 18 months of mandatory military service, as fans gathered near the base to say goodbye to their star.
"I look cuter than thought," said Jin in the Weverse mail showing off his new haircut. Weverse via AP

He was driven into the base of operations past a small group holding photos and posters begetting his paradigm.

Jin asked his fans to stay away from the preparation heart to avert unsafe crowding in some other Weverse postal service.

Around 300 officers from the military, the local government and related organizations were deployed at the military camp Tuesday to ensure the safety of the location as Jin arrived, a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry said.

The caution comes afterwards 153 people died in a oversupply crush in Seoul during Halloween festivities.

Jin turned 30 this month, fueling a heated national fence nigh whether he should enlist.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men eighteen to 28 years onetime must serve in the ground forces for at least 18 months. As a recognized M-popular star, Jin was able to defer his compulsory armed services service until age 30.

BTS star Jin starts his mandatory South Korean military duty on December 13, 2022, the first band member to enlist since their hiatus announcement this year left fans heartbroken and wondering if this was the end for the K-pop juggernaut.
Vehicles believed to exist with BTS singer Jin arrive at the main gate of a armed forces preparation unit in Yeoncheon, South Korea, on Tuesday. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP - Getty Images

Millions of BTS fans around the world, who call themselves the "army," are grieving the band's hiatus.

"It was sudden only non unexpected," said Gurpeet Dhillon, 25, of Hong Kong, who describes herself as a full-fourth dimension BTS fan. "I respect their determination past putting their country first and end delaying the mandatory war machine service."

"2025 is gonna be a long look, only I know we all, the 'army,' will be waiting for them to come back together again as BTS," she added.

S Korean law does allow for special exemptions from compulsory military service for some, including athletes, traditional musicians and others who heighten the land's prestige. Earlier it was announced in October that the band would enlist, there was discussion about whether Thousand-pop stars should besides be afforded such benefits given their international popularity.

"Those in the pop culture sector feel lilliputian bit of disadvantages and unfairness, compared with those in the pure art sector or athletes," Jung Duk-hyun, a popular culture commentator, told The Associated Press. "This will probable keep to exist an event of controversy, so I wonder if it must exist discussed continuously."

Defence force Government minister Lee Jong-sup said in August that BTS members who are serving would near likely exist allowed to go on practicing and to join other not-serving BTS members in overseas group tours.

Jin released his first solo single, "The Astronaut," in October. While he is away, the six younger BTS members will also pursue individual projects, and BTS will reconvene as a group around 2025 when all vii members have completed their military service, according to their label, Bighit Music.

"There's much more even so to come in the years ahead from BTS," the label said.

Stella Kim reported from Seoul, and Marie Brockling reported from Hong Kong.

Stella Kim

Stella Kim is an NBC News freelance producer based in Seoul.

Kriti Gandhi

contributed

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