(17 Oct 2024)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wonju, South Korea – 17 October 2024
1. Wide shot of army base at the city of Wonju, South Korea
2. Various of signage and balloon celebrating the discharge of BTS’ J-Hope from mandatory military service
3. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Meng Xiying, mother of BTS fan:
Meng: “I came here because my daughter really likes (J-Hope) so she told me to take photos of him.”
Reporter: “Where is your daughter at?”
Meng: “She’s in school. She’s in Korea and she’s in 7th grade in middle school.”
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Polo (first name inaudible), Brazilian fan of J-Hope:
Reporter: “Is J-Hope your favorite member?”
Polo: “Yes, in my case, yes.”
Reporter: “Why?”
Polo: “Because he has joy in his heart. He brings joy to us. And I think he really cares about us. We can feel that.”
5. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Meng Xiying, mother of BTS fan:
Meng “I waited for more than two hours so far (to see J-Hope).”
Reporter: “When did you leave home?
Meng: “I left at 4:30 a.m. I came from Incheon."
6. Various of J-Hope walking out of army base and getting greeted by Jin, a fellow BTS member, with flowers
7. SOUNDBITE (Korean) J-Hope, recording artist:
“I was able to finish (the military service) heathy and safely thanks to my fans.”
8. SOUNDBITE (Korean) J-Hope, recording artist:
“There are so many soldiers who put in so much hard work and dedication to protect this country. They really do a lot for this country. So, I think it would mean even more if we show them more support and love. Thank you so much for waiting and thank you for your cheering me on, support, and love. I was discharged in good health. Thank you. Salute!”
9. Various of J-Hope posing and leaving the army base
STORYLINE:
J-Hope, a member of K-pop sensation BTS, was discharged from his mandatory service in the South Korean military on Wednesday.
He walked out of an army base at Wonju in Gangwon province, a city around 2 hours drive away from central Seoul. He was greeted by fellow band member Jin and briefly spoke to reporters thanking fans and media for coming.
International and local media outlets and fans greeted J-Hope. There were more than 30 fans from different parts of the world including Brazil, Japan and China. The crowd was limited after the band’s label, BIGHIT MUSIC, asked fans Monday to refrain from visiting the site, citing safety concerns.
Authorities mobilized soldiers and police officers to maintain order, and there were no immediate reports of safety-related accidents.
J-Hope began his 18-month compulsory military service in April 2023, becoming the group’s second member to join the army. Suga followed in August 2023.
Jin, the oldest BTS member and first to join, completed his service in June after joining in late 2022.
Other members — Jung Kook, V, Jimin and RM — are currently serving their military duties. Suga is fulfilling his duty as a social service agent, an alternative form of military service.
Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men must perform 18-21 months of military service. Special exemptions are granted for athletes and classical artists who excel in certain kinds of international competitions tied to national prestige. But such privileges haven’t been extended to K-pop singers.
BTS, formed in 2013, has a global fan base known as "Army." The group gained popularity in Asia before expanding to Western audiences with their 2020 English-language hit "Dynamite,” making the band the first K-pop act to top Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
The band has performed in sold-out arenas worldwide and spoken at United Nations meetings.
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