Jin, the oldest member of the K-pop sensation BTS, has been discharged from South Korea’s army after completing 18 months of mandatory national service. The 31-year-old, donning a uniform and black beret, appeared visibly emotional as he hugged his colleagues at a military base in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province, according to television footage.

“I cried during the ceremony,” Jin shared during a livestream on the Weverse fandom platform, which quickly amassed over 3 million views. “But it was so fun for the last year and six months. It’s such a relief I met so many good people,” he added, expressing his gratitude towards his military colleagues.

Several other BTS members, currently serving in the military, reportedly took leave to celebrate Jin’s discharge. Among them was rapper RM, who greeted Jin with a saxophone performance of the group’s hit single “Dynamite.”

Jin was the first BTS member to enlist in December 2022. The remaining four members began their service in December 2023, with the band planning to reunite in 2025 after completing their duties. To celebrate his discharge, Jin will host an event in Seoul on Thursday, where he will greet fans and perform. BTS’ label Hybe has organized the event at the Jamsil Sports Complex, selecting 1,000 fans who will have the opportunity to hug the star.

Since their debut in 2013, BTS has achieved global superstardom, with No. 1 singles in over 100 countries, more than 74 million Instagram followers, and being named Time magazine’s Entertainer of the Year in 2020. In 2022, BTS visited the White House to discuss Asian representation and anti-Asian hate crimes, which surged in the US during the pandemic.

In 2021, Louis Vuitton appointed BTS as brand ambassadors, and they wore complementary suits designed by the brand for the 64th Grammy Awards. Members Suga and Jimin have also starred in campaigns for Valentino and Dior, respectively. Dior’s artistic director Kim Jones even designed custom stage outfits for BTS’s 2019 tour.

South Korea mandates all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 to serve 18 to 21 months in the military or social service, with specific allowances and adjustments made for prominent public figures such as BTS members.