J-Hope of BTS.Photo: Jacopo Raule/GC
BTSmember j-hope is enlisting in the South Korean military for mandatory service after legally deferring for several years.
“We ask for your continued love and support for j-hope until he completes his military service and safely returns,” they continued.
J-Hope of BTS.Roy Rochlin/Getty
J-Hope is the second member of the hit band to enlist in mandatory military service. Two months ago, Jin, the group’s oldest member, announced that he was enlisting.
Big Hit has previously announced that all seven members of BTS will do their mandatory military service, CNN reported.
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BTS.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Last year, BTS said in a statement shared withPEOPLEthat members of the band intended to release both group and solo projects as they embarked on their “new chapter” together. The statement was made after RM, Jungkook, j-hope, Jin, V, Jimin and Suga appeared toannounce a temporary hiatusduring the group’sannual FESTA dinnerin June.
“The group will remain active as a team while taking individual journey to further achieve personal growth,” the release said from HYBE, the agency that represents BTS, said, adding that the members of the two-time Grammy-nominated group “will allow themselves to express their individuality through the release of solo albums and collaborations with other artists.”
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At the time, HYBE’s parent company, BIGHIT MUSIC, added, “BTS now starts a new chapter with new solo projects as well as group projects. Members will take this time to achieve personal growth through various new activities, and we expect it to further strengthen the foundation for the group’s long-run as a team. BIGHIT MUSIC will actively support the artists.”
A spokesperson for the group also told Pitchfork, “To be clear,they are not on hiatusbut will take time to explore some solo projects at this time and remain active in various different formats.”
source: people.com
