(3rd LD) BTS' Jin returns from military duty amid warm welcome from bandmates

(ATTN: UPDATES with BTS members' private party, Jin's remarks on Weverse Live in paras 7-13; ADDS photo)
By Shim Sun-ah

SEOUL, June 12 (Yonhap) -- Jin, the oldest member of K-pop supergroup BTS, was discharged from his 18 months of mandatory military service Wednesday, with fans worldwide eagerly anticipating his return to the music scene.

After hugging his fellow soldiers in turn during a brief, teary farewell ceremony inside the 5th Army Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, 61 kilometers north of Seoul, the singer walked out of the compound at about 9 a.m. to be welcomed by his bandmates.

During his service, he served as an assistant drill instructor at the Army recruit training center there.

After saluting in front of the main gate, Jin received a bouquet of flowers and was seen smiling brightly as he reunited with five of his bandmates -- J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook. RM, currently serving in a military brass band, marked the occasion with a celebratory saxophone performance of the band's megahit single "Dynamite."

The members, who are all serving in the military, took leaves to gather to celebrate Jin's discharge. Another member, Suga, was absent from the scene.

Jin waved to reporters waiting for him and said, "Hi, ARMY!" in reference to the name of BTS' global fandom. He then quickly climbed into a black minivan before departing the site.

Later in the day, the seven members, including Suga, gathered for a private welcoming party at the Hybe headquarters in Seoul. They later shared a group photo from the party with their fans.

Jin went live on the Weverse K-pop fan community platform to share his feelings about completing his military service.

"It's been a long time since I've greeted you all. This is BTS' Jin. I've returned after 18 months," he said. "It's been so long since I've been in front of the camera, I don't know what to say."

He then explained about the emotional farewell with his fellow soldiers.

"I didn't want to cry, but I was so overwhelmed with happiness that tears came out twice," Jin said. "The friends I've lived with for 18 months were sobbing as they sent me off."

He added that he was able to make the atmosphere of the military unit good by maintaining good camaraderie between the officers and conscripted soldiers.

Fans were absent from the scene of Jin's discharge as the group's agency, BigHit Music, had requested they avoid visiting the scene to prevent overcrowding issues.

They welcomed and congratulated Jin's return by watching the scene unfold through online live broadcasts, instead.

Banners and large balloons with messages from fans were seen near the road leading to the military compound.

The messages read, "Welcome back, Assistant Instructor Jin, who was discharged!" and "Cheering for Jin as he moves forward once again."

The BTS star is scheduled to give out hugs to fans who won a raffle event at this year's BTS FESTA, the annual celebration of the band's debut anniversary, at the Seoul Sports Complex in southern Seoul on Thursday. Later in the day, Jin will hold a meet-and-greet event for fans that will also be livestreamed on Weverse. Jin is also expected to release a solo album later this year.

With his discharge, Jin became the first of BTS' seven members to finish their military duty. After him, J-Hope is expected to be discharged from duty in October.

BTS is expected to return as a septet in 2025, when all of the members finish their military service.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve between 18 and 21 months in the military.

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