After a handful of legal deferments, the BTS heartthrob, whose real name is Jung Ho-seok, has officially enlisted for his mandatory service in the South Korean Army. He is the second member of the pop group to enlist, following Jin, who enlisted last year. J-Hope is reportedly entering the 36th Infantry Division recruit training center in the city of Wonju, where he will receive five weeks of training.
As they approach 30, all able-bodied men in Korea are required to fulfill two years of mandatory military service. Exceptions have been given to athletes and some classical musicians, but these have proven to be controversial among the general public and none have ever been extended to pop stars.
In a statement, Big Hit Music, the band’s label, said, “We would like to inform our fans that j-hope has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement.” They continued, “We ask for your continued love and support for j-hope until he completes his military service and safely returns.”