BTS J-Hope Enlists in 36th Division Amid Members' Farewell... 'Quiet Enlistment'

by Kim Heeyun

Published 18 Apr.2023 16:15(KST)

Group BTS member J-Hope enlisted on the 18th at the Army 36th Division Recruit Training Center in Socho-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon Province.

J-Hope of the group BTS enlisted on the 18th at a new recruit training center of an army division in Gangwon Province, becoming the second member of the team to enlist. The photo was posted by J-Hope on the fan community Weverse on the 17th.
[Photo by BTS Weverse]

As announced, the black Carnival vehicle carrying J-Hope passed through the 36th Division guard post at around 1:53 p.m. that day and entered the base immediately without any separate greeting.

Earlier, the agency Big Hit Music stated through the fan community on the 1st, “There will be no official event on the day of enlistment at the recruit training center to prevent safety accidents.”

Despite the rainy and gloomy weather that day, fans and reporters gathered in front of the base waiting to see J-Hope. To prepare for the crowd, the military and police strictly controlled the incoming vehicles, and when the vehicle carrying J-Hope passed through as is, fans expressed their disappointment.

After enlisting, J-Hope is scheduled to undergo five weeks of basic military training at the 36th Division recruit training center and then be assigned to an army unit in the Gangwon region by the end of next month.

Born in 1994, J-Hope was able to postpone his enlistment until the end of 2024, when he turns 30, by receiving a recommendation for enlistment deferral from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism under the revised Military Service Act of 2020. However, he submitted a cancellation of the enlistment deferral and enlisted on this day according to his own intention to fulfill his military duty.

The night before, he posted a photo with a short haircut and saluting on the fan community Weverse, saying, “I love you. ARMY! I will do well.” to share his enlistment thoughts.

J-Hope is the second member of BTS to enlist, following the eldest Jin (real name Kim Seokjin, 30), who enlisted in December last year. It is known that BTS members, including Jin who was on leave during his military service, were present at the enlistment site that day. BTS members will fulfill their military duties sequentially according to their individual plans.