When Will BTS Jin Return From Military Service?

All seven BTS members have decided to push through in fulfilling South Korea's mandatory military service, starting with their oldest member Jin, the group's label announced Monday.

"Group member Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for solo release is concluded at the end of October," BigHit Music announced via Twitter, "He will then follow the enlistment procedure of the [South] Korean government."

The label continued, "Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plan," adding that the seven-member international sensation, including RM, Jin, Suga, Jimin, J-Hope, V, and Jungkook, would be reuniting as a group again by 2025 after finishing the service.

All able-bodied South Korean men between the ages of 18 to 28 are required to serve in the country's military for at least 18 months. Military service exemptions are given to global award-winning athletes and classical musicians recommended by the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to replace military duty with alternative services, according to ABC News.

Over two years ago, South Korea's parliament passed an amendment to the Military Service Act, allowing K-pop artists, including BTS, to delay their mandatory military service until the age of 30 if awarded an Order of Cultural Merit by the president of South Korea. BTS was the only male K-pop act to receive such an award.

Jin, 29, would be enlisting in the military by late October after the release of his upcoming solo single, which was reportedly gifted by Coldplay, and before he turns 30 in December. He would be expected to return by late April 2024, exactly 18 months after his enlistment.

In June 2020, the oldest member got asked about his plans to enlist during a press conference at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, held in celebration of the release of their then-new album "BE (Deluxe Edition)." He responded, "If there is a call from the country and the time is right, I will respond at any time," according to Hankook Ilbo.

The right time has finally come, and BTS fans would have to wait almost a year and a half to see Mr. "Worldwide Handsome" again.

The announcement came a day after their successful concert to support Busan's bid for World Expo 2030, where thousands of fans from all over the globe came to watch them perform for the first time in their home country following the pandemic, BuzzFeed News reported.

Other BTS members have yet to announce when to enlist in the military. But it seems they have no plans of delaying their service, including the youngest member Jungkook, 25, since the group is expected to return by 2025.