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J-Hope of K-pop group BTS (courtesy of Big Hit Music)

J-Hope of K-pop juggernaut BTS will soon be enlisting. He will be the second member of the group to start fulfilling his mandatory military service after Jin, the oldest member of the group enlisted last year.

Big Hit Music announced on Sunday that “J-hope has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement,” and that they would “inform [fans] of further updates in due course.”

In addition, they asked for “continued love and support for j-hope until he completes his military service and safely returns,” while also mentioning that “our company will spare no effort in providing support for our artist.”

Born in 1994, Jung Ho-seok, better known by his stage name J-Hope, had been recommended for a deferment of enlistment until the end of 2024 by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, at which point he would have turned 30, under the revised Military Service Act of 2020.

However, by voluntarily canceling this deferment, he has basically announced his intention to enlist early. He will, accordingly, enlist as soon as he receives his enlistment notice.

BTS announced in October 2022 that its members would gradually enlist in the military, starting with the oldest member, Jin.

Jin became the first to enlist, joining the military in December 2022, and is currently serving as a recruit training battalion assistant.

BTS aims to resume group activities in 2025, after all members complete their mandatory military service.

By Suh Jung-min, staff reporter

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