hankyoreh

Kim Seok-jin, better known as Jin of the K-pop group BTS, will enlist on Dec. 13 at a frontline army recruit training center.

According to a military official on Thursday, “Jin will enlist on Dec. 13 at a boot camp of a front-line Army division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, and receive five weeks of training.”

Yeoncheon is a frontline area where military units are concentrated. After training at the boot camp, Jin will be deployed to a frontline unit and formally begin his military service.

Jin had received a recommendation from the minister of culture, sports and tourism to have his enlistment delayed until the end of the year, but the BTS member announced his plans to formally enlist after the group’s concert in Busan last month.

After returning from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he premiered his song “The Astronaut” alongside Coldplay, Jin filed a petition with the Military Manpower Administration to cancel the postponement of his enlistment.

Born in 1992, Jin is 29 years old and the oldest member of the BTS boy band.

When asked by a fan on Weverse on Nov. 13 whether he was excited for his birthday next month, Jin replied, “No, I’ll be on the frontline.” Jin's birthday is on Dec. 4, meaning he will be enlisting nine days after his birthday.

Jin told fans on Thursday via Weverse not to show up in masses at the bootcamp center. “Our ARMY [BTS fans] shouldn't come to the training center,” adding that, "Many people besides me will also be coming, so it could be dangerous since it will be crowded.”

The Ministry of National Defense has previously said it will provide opportunities for BTS members to participate in events that are for the public or national interest even after enlisting, if they wish.

By Kwon Hyuk-chul, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]