J-Hope has buzz cut as he becomes second BTS member to join military

J-Hope joins the military! Singer, 29, shows off buzz cut as he becomes second BTS member to enter South Korean army after Jin, 30, did it first

J-Hope has reported for duty.

The singer is the latest member of member of the K-pop sensation BTS to begin his 18-month compulsory military service.

The 29-year star marked the occasion by sharing a photo of his new buzz cut on social media, and writing ‘I’ll have a good trip.’

The heartthrob entered a South Korean boot camp Tuesday, becoming the group’s second member to join the country’s army.

In December, Jin, 30 and the oldest member of BTS, became the band’s first member to enter the army after revoking his request to delay his conscription.

South Korean TV showed video of what appeared to be a black van carrying the Yet To Come singer to a boot camp in Wonju, about 55 miles east of Seoul.

Reporting for duty: J-Hope, 29, has reported for duty to a military boot camp in South Korea to begin his compulsory military service. He is the second member of the K-Pop super group, BTS to join the army. Here he shows off his new buzz cut

Conscription: J-Hope, whose legal name is Jung Ho-seok was set to spend the next 18 to 21 months in the army. Pictured in Seoul in November 2020

Hybe Corp, the parent company of BTS’ management agency Big Hit Music, later confirmed the heartthrob had entered the camp.

Dozens of fans showed their support for the Dynamite artist.

They rented buses wrapped with large photos of J-Hope and words of encouragement to travel to the base. 

Big Hit Music had pleaded with fans who call themselves the ‘Army’ not to go to the base, but authorities reported no safety concerns from their presence there.  

J-Hope, whose legal name is Jung Ho-seok, wrote ‘I love you, Army. I´ll see you again,’ to his adoring followers Monday in a message posted on the online fan platform Weverse, with photos of himself with a military buzz cut.

The five younger member of  BTS – RM, Suga, Jimin, V and Jungkook – will join the South Korean military one by one in the coming years. 

In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.

The law allows men to postpone their service until 28, with those in the entertainment profession permitted to postpone conscription until the age of 30.

Fans: Dozens of fans showed their support for the Dynamite artist. They rented buses wrapped with large photos of J-Hope and words of encouragement to travel to the military base where J-Hope reported for duty

Conscription: In December, Jin, 30 and the oldest member of BTS, became the band’s first member to enter the army. The law allows men to postpone their service until 28, those in the entertainment profession can postpone conscription until the age 30

The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige.

K-pop stars and other entertainers are not subject to the same privileges.

Lawmakers in the National Assembly have debated possible exemptions for BTS members, but a series of public surveys showed sharply split opinions over the issue.   

Defense Minister Lee Jong-Sup said at the time that it would be ‘desirable’ for BTS members to implement their duties to promote fairness in the country´s military service. Exemptions or dodging of military duties are a highly sensitive issue in South Korea, because the draft forces young men to suspend their studies or professional careers.

Hybe Corp said in October that each member of the band for the time being would focus on individual activities scheduled around their military service plans. 

Formed in 2013, BTS expanded its popularity in the West with its 2020 megahit ‘Dynamite,’ the band´s first all-English song that made BTS the first K-pop act to top Billboard´s Hot 100.

Their album, Map of the Soul: 7, sold at least 500,000 copies that year.

The only other album to to so was Taylor Swift’s Folklore, according to Nielsen Music’s annual report.

Popular: BTS was introduced to US audiences in 2020 with their hit song Dynamite. Their album, Map of the Soul: 7, sold at least 500,000 copies that year. The only other album to to so was Taylor Swift’s Folklore, according to Nielsen Music’s annual report; seen in 2022

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