'I'll have a good trip!' Another BTS star signs up for military service in in South Korea...
J-Hope has signed up for military service in in South Korea, becoming the second member of K-Pop band BTS to do so.
BTS star J-Hope is embarking on his military service in South Korea.
The K-pop star - who is one of seven members of the K-Pop group - has become the second member of the band to temporarily turn his back on music to carry out his military service, a requirement of all male citizens in the East Asian country.
Alongside a snap showing off his new cropped hair, he wrote on Instagram: "I'll have a good trip!!"
According to reports, the 'Butter' hitmaker - whose real name is Jung Ho-seok - kept a "low profile" as he was driven by van to the venue for his military enlistment ceremony in Wonju in the Gangwon Province on Tuesday (18.04.23).
Shortly after making the announcement, he took to platform Weverse, where he declared, "I'll be back later," before the official Twitter account for BTS wrote: "I love you J-Hope."
Fans were also quick to send their well-wishes to the pop star via the comments section, with more than 10,000 praying for his safe return.
In what became his last stream on Weverse, he urged fans not to worry about him and reassured them that he would indeed return safely.
He said: "Don't worry too much because I'll come back safely (from the military). I had the feeling of, 'What am I gonna do?' a week ago, but now I'm so fine that I'm even wondering if it's okay to feel this way."
In January, J-Hope's bandmate Jin began his military service and assured fans at the time had he was "enjoying life" and had obtained permission to post photos from his base.
Alongside some snaps of him throwing a peace sign, he wrote at the time: "I'm enjoying my life. I'm posting pictures after getting permission from the military. ARMY, be happy and take care."
Conscription in South Korea has existed since 1957 and requires male citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 to perform compulsory military service. Women are exempt from military service but can join the armed forces of their own free will.
Compulsory military service in the army, navy and air force lasts less than two years, and after completing their service they are automatically placed on the reserve roster and are obligated to attend three days of annual military training for six years.
