BTS J-Hope's Cancellation from Hosting Military Event... "Stop the Practice of Using Celebrities"

Minister Shin Won-sik Orders "Do Not Assign Duties Outside Official Position"
Respects BTS's Wish to Lead a Normal Military Life

J-Hope (29, Jung Hoseok), a member of the group BTS serving as an Army instructor, was mentioned as the host of the International Military Cooking Competition but the event was completely canceled.

On the 7th, Shin Won-sik, Minister of National Defense, who attended the full meeting of the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee, stated in response to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Lee Yong-ho, "I instructed not to assign any duties other than their official positions."

Group BTS's J-Hope announced on the 24th through the fan community platform Weverse that he "successfully completed the training center." Photo of BTS's J-Hope. [Photo by BTS Weverse]

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the final round of the 4th International Military Cooking Competition, selecting the best cooks among the Korean, American, and Singaporean armies, is being held this morning at the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT Center) in Yangjae-dong, Seoul.

The military authorities had been considering having J-Hope appear as the host of the competition and had coordinated with his agency, but Minister Shin ordered a hold, and the plan was canceled.

Minister Shin said, "Originally, it was proposed that one announcer and BTS (J-Hope) would co-host. In my view, BTS fulfilling their military duties diligently like other soldiers is a better image for the public and a natural duty."

He added, "I have instructed that soldiers who entered the military after being entertainers should not be assigned any duties other than their official positions."

In response, lawmaker Lee said, "It was a well-made decision," and added, "Young people in Korea must serve in the military without exception, and from that perspective, using entertainers in the military is shameless."

The new minister said, "Originally, it was proposed that two people, an announcer and BTS (J-Hope), would host the event," adding, "In my view, BTS fulfilling their military service duties diligently like other warriors is a better image for the public and a natural duty."
[Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@]

J-Hope enlisted on April 18 at the 36th Division Recruit Training Center in Wonju, Gangwon Province, received basic military training, and was selected as an instructor at the Army 36th Division Recruit Training Center.

Last month, he was also selected as a "Special Warrior," an honor given to soldiers who meet certain standards, following Jin (31, Kim Seok-jin), the eldest member of the team, who is serving as an instructor at the Army 5th Division Recruit Training Center.

Another member, Suga (30, Min Yoon-gi), also began his military service as a social service agent last September without notable media exposure.

So far, the military authorities have respected BTS's wish to "live as ordinary a military life as possible" and have not involved them in military events. They also considered inviting Jin and J-Hope for the ceremonial first pitch at the professional baseball game on Memorial Day in June but eventually canceled the plan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.