Wonju, South Korea: K-pop star J-Hope from BTS completed his eighteen months of military service on Thursday, with fellow band member Jin welcoming him back and dozens of fans celebrating his return.
The seven members of BTS have been on a break since 2022 for military service, which is mandatory for all South Korean men under 30 due to tensions with North Korea. J-Hope, the group's main dancer, left the army base in Wonju, where he was greeted by Jin, who finished his service in June.
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Outside the base fans had hung up colourful banners to welcome the star back to civilian life saying: "The sun is finally shining upon ARMY" referring to the group's official fandom, and: "My bank account! It's ready to go straight to J-hope!"
Fans also celebrated with a life-size cutout of J-Hope dancing and a giant balloon congratulating him on his discharge. Although fans were advised not to gather for safety reasons, around 50 supporters, including international fans from China and Brazil, showed up.
A group of Japanese fans even rented a bus to visit the military unit, located about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Seoul. Analysts believe J-Hope's return will positively impact the K-pop industry. "J-Hope's comeback is certainly like refreshing downpour for HYBE during a long, dry spell," Yoo Sung-man, an analyst at Leading Investment and Securities, told AFP.
BTS's agency, HYBE, is currently facing legal issues involving NewJeans’ producer Min Hee-jin, causing concerns for investors. Another BTS member, SUGA, has faced scrutiny after a drunk e-scooter incident in Seoul earlier this year, which contributed to HYBE's shares dropping to a record low.
"Even putting aside the 'Suga' issue, the 'Min Hee-jin and NewJeans' issue needs to be resolved first," said Yoo. "Unless all BTS members complete their military service and make a full-group comeback, J-Hope's solo return might not be enough to overshadow the conflict completely," he added. However, HYBE's share price rose by 2.9 percent in early trading on Thursday.
The rest of the BTS members are set to complete their military service by June 2025. Jin also announced on Monday that he will release his first solo album in November.
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Published: 17 Oct 2024, 08:02 am IST
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