SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — J-Hope, a member of Okay-pop sensation BTS, entered a South Korean boot camp Tuesday to begin his 18-month obligatory navy service, turning into the group’s second member to hitch the nation’s military.

There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether or not to supply particular exemptions of obligatory navy service for BTS members, till the group’s administration company introduced in October that every one seven members would fulfill their duties.

In December, Jin, 30 and the oldest member of BTS, grew to become the band’s first member to enter the military after revoking his request to delay his conscription.

South Korean TV footage Tuesday afternoon confirmed what they known as a black minivan seemingly carrying J-Hope, shifting into the boot camp in Wonju, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) east of Seoul. Hybe Corp., the mum or dad firm of BTS’ administration company Big Hit Music, later confirmed the 29-year-old singer entered the camp.

Dozens of followers confirmed up close to the bottom after arriving through rented buses wrapped with giant images of J-Hope and phrases hoping for his secure service. Authorities mobilized troopers and law enforcement officials to keep up order, and there have been no quick studies of safety-related accidents. Big Hit Music had pleaded with followers, who name themselves the “Army,” to not come to the positioning attributable to security causes.

“I love you, Army. I’ll see you again,” J-Hope, whose actual title is Jung Ho-seok, mentioned Monday in a message posted on the net fan platform Weverse, with images of himself with a navy buzz lower.

Five different youthful BTS members — RM, Suga, Jimin, V and Jungkook — are to hitch the South Korean navy one after the other within the coming years. That means the world’s greatest boy band is predicted to reconvene as a bunch once more just a few years later.

In South Korea, all able-bodied males are required by legislation to carry out 18-21 months of navy service underneath a conscription system meant to discourage aggression from rival North Korea.

The legislation offers particular exemptions to athletes, classical and conventional musicians, and ballet and different dancers if they've obtained high prizes in sure competitions and are assessed to have enhanced nationwide status. Okay-pop stars and different entertainers aren’t topic to such privileges.

That has precipitated an intense home debate over whether or not it was time to amend the legislation to increase exemptions to entertainers like BTS members. Jin, who turned 30 in December, had confronted an impending conscription as a result of the legislation disallows most South Korean males from additional delaying their companies after they flip 30.

Lawmakers bickered over the problem on the National Assembly, whereas a collection of public surveys confirmed sharply break up opinions over attainable service exemptions for BTS members. Defense Minister Lee Jong-Sup mentioned on the time that it will be “desirable” for BTS members to implement their duties to advertise equity within the nation’s navy service.

Exemptions or dodging of navy duties are a extremely delicate challenge in South Korea, as a result of the draft forces younger males to droop their research or skilled careers.

Formed in 2013, BTS expanded its recognition within the West with its 2020 megahit “Dynamite,” the band’s first all-English music that made BTS the primary Okay-pop act to high Billboard’s Hot 100.

Hybe Corp. mentioned in October that every member of the band in the intervening time would deal with particular person actions scheduled round their navy service plans.

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Associated Press author Kim Tong-hyung contributed to this report.

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