ARMY, your hope is back! J-Hope finishes military duty — in pictures

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ARMY, your hope is back! J-Hope finishes military duty — in pictures

Published: 17 Oct. 2024, 13:59

YOON SO-YEON
yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr

BTS's J-Hope salutes to reporters and fans after finishing his mandatory military duty on Oct. 17 at his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon. [YONHAP]

J-Hope of boy band BTS finished his year and a half of military duty on Thursday, becoming the second member of the septet to return to civilian life.

J-Hope was greeted by press, fans and bandmate Jin on Thursday morning around 10 a.m. at the entrance of his camp in Wonju, Gangwon. J-Hope's agency BigHit Music had asked fans to refrain from coming to the site, but fans still watched from afar.

Jin, clad in a red suit and sunglasses, greeted J-Hope with flowers and knelt by J-Hope's side to hold reporters' microphones as J-Hope shared his thoughts on having finished his duties.

"I was able to finish [my duty] in one healthy piece, thank you so much," J-Hope told reporters. "I was able to do so thanks to the fans."

BTS member Jin, right, holds the microphones for bandmate J-Hope on Oct. 17 in Wonju, Gangwon. [NEWS1]

BTS member Jin holds the microphones for bandmate J-Hope on Oct. 17 in Wonju, Gangwon. [NEWS1]

"I also want to thank the residents of Wonju, whom I ran into often while I was marching in the region," he continued. "I really want to thank them for the warm welcome they showed the soldiers. It was so touching that I can't fully express myself."

J-Hope went into his car while singing the military song, "We Go to the Front" (translated), and continued to wave and blow kisses to the fans inside the car.

BTS's J-Hope greets reporters and fans after finishing his mandatory military duty on Oct. 17 at his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon. [YONHAP]

BTS's J-Hope greets reporters and fans after finishing his mandatory military duty on Oct. 17 at his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon. [NEWS1]

BTS's J-Hope waves to reporters and fans after finishing his mandatory military duty on Oct. 17 at his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon. [YONHAP]

BTS's J-Hope salutes to reporters and fans after finishing his mandatory military duty on Oct. 17 at his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon. [NEWS1]

BTS's J-Hope salutes to reporters and fans after finishing his mandatory military duty on Oct. 17 at his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon. [YONHAP]

BTS member Jin, left, greets his bandmate J-Hope as the latter finishes his military duty on Oct. 17 in Wonju, Gangwon. [YONHAP]

BTS member Jin, left, greets his bandmate J-Hope as the latter finishes his military duty on Oct. 17 in Wonju, Gangwon. [NEWS1]

BTS's J-Hope greets reporters and fans after finishing his mandatory military duty on Oct. 17 at his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon. [NEWS1]

J-Hope of boy band BTS blows kisses to fans as he leaves his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon, after finishing his mandatory military duty on Oct. 17. [NEWS1]

J-Hope of boy band BTS waves to his hands to fans as he leaves his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon, after finishing his mandatory military duty on Oct. 17. [YONHAP]

J-Hope of boy band BTS makes a finger heart to fans as he leaves his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon, after finishing his mandatory military duty on Oct. 17. [YONHAP]

Reporters and fans await BTS member J-Hope in front of his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon, on Oct. 17. [YONHAP]

Fans await BTS member J-Hope in front of his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon, on Oct. 17. One fan is seen wearing the Brazilian flag around her shoulders. [YONHAP]

A fan poses for photos while waiting for BTS member J-Hope in front of his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon, on Oct. 17. [YONHAP]

Banners congratulating J-Hope on finishing his military duty is hung up near his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon, on Oct. 17. [YONHAP]

A banner congratulating J-Hope on finishing his military duty is hung up near his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon, on Oct. 17. [YONHAP]

Banners congratulating J-Hope on finishing his military duty is hung up near his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon, on Oct. 17. [NEWS1]

Balloons carrying congratulatory messages float near BTS member J-Hope's military base in Wonju, Gangwon, on Oct. 17. [NEWS1]

An installation congratulating J-Hope on finishing his military duty is set up near his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon, on Oct. 17. [NEWS1]

A balloon saying "ARMY waited for you" is displayed to congratulate J-Hope on finishing his military duty near his base camp in Wonju, Gangwon, on Oct. 17. [NEWS1]