BTS singer Jin set to start military service in December
BTS heartthrob Jin urged fans not to gather to send him off as it was reported that he will start his military service next month.
The South Korean singer – who at 29 is the oldest member of the hugely successful K-pop band – is apparently due to get started with his mandatory service in December.
He will begin with several weeks of training and will later be assigned to a unit, reported South Korean paper Aju Business Daily.
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The star apparently sent a message to the band's fans, who are known as the BTS Army, on the platform Weverse.
It said: "ARMY can't come to the training centre. There are many people besides me, so it can be dangerous because it's crowded."
Military service is mandatory for able-bodied men under 30 in South Korea, and lasts for between 18 and 21 months.
Some prominent South Koreans have been given exemptions and there had been a lot of talk over whether that would happen for BTS, one of the world’s biggest bands.
However, in October this year the group's record label Big Hit Music said all seven members would do their service, starting with Jin.
They were quoted as saying in a statement: "After the phenomenal concert to support Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030, and as each member embarks on solo endeavours, it’s the perfect time and the members of BTS are honoured to serve.”
The boy band – comprised of Jin, Namjoon, Suga, J-Hope, V, Jimin and Jungkook – got together in 2010 and started releasing music in 2013.
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They are known for songs such as Boy In Luv, I Need U and Spring Day and are the best-selling artists in South Korean history.
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