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BTS members have a big fan following. AP
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Police officers and soldiers stand guard outside an army boot camp near the demilitarised zone before the arrival of BTS member Jin in Yeoncheon, South Korea, on December 13. Reuters
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Fans wait in front of the boot camp as they hope to catch a glimpse of Jin. Getty
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Jin began his military service on December 13 and will be deployed to a unit after receiving five weeks of training at the boot camp. Getty
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All able-bodied men in South Korea aged between 18 and 28 must serve in the military for 18 to 21 months. Reuters
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The oldest member of BTS, Jin turned 30 on December 4, 2022. Getty
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A banner bearing Jin's picture near an army training centre in Yeoncheon. AP
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The announcement has left fans heartbroken and wondering if this is the end for the K-pop band. AFP
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Jin is the first band member to enlist. AFP
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Jin sports a buzz cut before the start of his conscription. AP
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The other members of the group plan to pursue individual projects and BTS will reunite in 2025 after all members have completed their military service. Getty
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A banner welcoming Jin. AFP
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Jin posted a picture of him sporting a buzz cut. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PNVWEHVVOEDFXONJDITXAB7ALQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=bea7d19fa0f5f70a145bd493ca730c85a0534ec21064bd968d253cc426177ea9&width=400&height=225)
BTS members have a big fan following. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RE2SKA33JSYCL43ZEVSDVU5VOE.jpg?smart=true&auth=c8a41bae87607c9d46a3f1111106e887bc3ca2c7057502b135fc334512c6e739&width=400&height=225)
Police officers and soldiers stand guard outside an army boot camp near the demilitarised zone before the arrival of BTS member Jin in Yeoncheon, South Korea, on December 13. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KYF4YTHGN3OQO4P4LIFKPWUGHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=bd14a3ee72c5aab6e0d6eb5bf8c4b21bbe7063c83e3db2257a42199c63178591&width=400&height=225)
Fans wait in front of the boot camp as they hope to catch a glimpse of Jin. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TGTJATTH6A2Z4BXYUOBOADFTTI.jpg?smart=true&auth=69aab4b0bc7aa6b01d27d138009a39bc6a21bc4270a687d0380c347d067499b9&width=400&height=225)
Jin began his military service on December 13 and will be deployed to a unit after receiving five weeks of training at the boot camp. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QA6GPZKHM7YIL3LBWIRH4H2AYM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b1663410c232e271d33dae9fd9eb21ded3e397b72e97ae7fc71e6d71b557136&width=400&height=225)
All able-bodied men in South Korea aged between 18 and 28 must serve in the military for 18 to 21 months. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7S22ZPS5RJPRTKFC465SG7VT6I.jpg?smart=true&auth=5590d616b220f77784177c257628225b28e94442503862c46e5819e1800cef77&width=400&height=225)
The oldest member of BTS, Jin turned 30 on December 4, 2022. Getty
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A banner bearing Jin's picture near an army training centre in Yeoncheon. AP
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The announcement has left fans heartbroken and wondering if this is the end for the K-pop band. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5UYA4SSS5Y6N5AOBKNEBW7QACU.jpg?smart=true&auth=84c01c2413b3c3d552bbb67ad7c73225d6e919da4a74ae339c9d6c51750c4a44&width=400&height=225)
Jin is the first band member to enlist. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3JVNK3TS3KQXFRBGGE345DKIVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6e1f33521f48ce180bf26d4a9b59f9c10e196a77aa1b43c73a8eed30203756d6&width=400&height=225)
Jin sports a buzz cut before the start of his conscription. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PUXDYXRRA7H5UWRYNTCSVTGPQQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=4b371aeb06defeb47bc30de928b448e5ec6195037f93f925c8bfea57ad645d4e&width=400&height=225)
The other members of the group plan to pursue individual projects and BTS will reunite in 2025 after all members have completed their military service. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XVPNWAZBEJ65FJZSRPM3TVMDNU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6169043fb3bf36dac8de22ae2a1d37644c6ef7de29a121c7682783b2a9772df&width=400&height=225)
A banner welcoming Jin. AFP
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Jin posted a picture of him sporting a buzz cut. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PNVWEHVVOEDFXONJDITXAB7ALQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=bea7d19fa0f5f70a145bd493ca730c85a0534ec21064bd968d253cc426177ea9&width=400&height=225)
BTS members have a big fan following. AP
Jin from BTS begins military service in South Korea, marking the end of an era
Fans line up at the 5th Infantry Division recruit training centre on the border with North Korea to see the musician arrive
AFP
13 December, 2022
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