Jin kicked off 2024 with a special message to BTS ARMY. The vocalist, born Kim Seok-jin, shared a short and sweet video to BTS’ YouTube page to wish fans a happy new year and tell them to remain patient while he’s completing his mandatory military service in South Korea.
“Ta-da everyone! Hello! Seokjin came to say hi for the new year. It’s January, everyone. The new year has come. I will become a year older in January. I’d be in my mid-30s by now,” he begins in the video. “Did you all make a snowman? I’m still in the past so I don’t know if it’s snowing or not but if it snowed you have to make a snowman and go back to being kids and do snowball fights.”
He continued, “I’m leaving this video so you can watch my pretty, handsome face and spend January and February warmly. I miss you all. I miss you a lot. Wait just a bit more and you’ll be able to see me with short hair. I’ll grow my hair quickly this year and I’ll be able to start working hard soon. Guys, please wait a few more months. Now that it’s the new year, we have a few months left. Make a lot of snowmen and think of me as you make them … I’ll be back in February and March, until then, bye!”
Jin, the eldest member of BTS, was the first member of the group to enlist in the South Korean army as part of the country’s requirement for men over age 18 to fulfill military service. Jin entered the army on Dec. 12, 2022; he is expected to complete his service in June 2024. All members of BTS are currently enlisted, with the group planning to reconvene for group activities in 2025.
Watch Jin’s message for the new year in the video above.