Member of the Grammy-nominated K-pop boy band BTS, J-Hope, started his mandatory military service in South Korea on Tuesday.
The musician kept a low profile as his van arrived at the location of his military enrollment ceremony in Wonju, around 87 kilometres (54 miles) from the capital Seoul, according to news agency Yonhap.
The musician, whose real name is Jung Ho-seok, posted a picture of himself on Monday with the message, “I’ll be back later,” on the fan website Weverse. Following the conclusion of his military service, more than 10,000 responses from admirers wished him a safe return.
Bighit Music’s owner company, HYBE, denied disclosing the specifics of his enlistment.
After Jin, the eldest member of the well-known septet, enlisted in the military in December, J-Hope, 29 years old, is the second member to do so.
In South Korea, all physically fit men between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to serve in the military for between 18 and 21 months.
Politicians in South Korea as well as fans have expressed interest in the military enrollment of BTS members. Legislators discussed the possibility of exempting the hit group from serving in the military so they may continue to perform.
