WATCH: BTS' Jin greets ARMY in video filmed before his military training
Jin of iconic K-pop group BTS surprised fans with a video greeting that was filmed before he entered South Korea's mandatory military service last December.
"I won't be a civilian anymore by the time this is out," Jin said in the minute-long video posted Jan. 9, local time. "But I'm here in front of the camera, because I wanted to leave you something even if it's just leaving a message."
Jin said he was filming an episode for the reality show Running Man at the time.
The 30-year-old added that his video updates will come out once every few months, whenever he's available and "even if it's just checking in briefly."
"I may not be by your side at this very moment," Jin said, "but I'll go looking for you soon."
BTS—comprising RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—is widely considered as South Korea's biggest-ever cultural phenomenon, selling out stadiums worldwide, dominating the charts, raking in billions, and building a global legion of fans known as ARMYs.
The country, however, requires all able-bodied men to serve at least 18 months in the military, as part of its efforts to guard against North Korea.
South Korea and North Korea remain technically at war since the Korean War broke out in the 1950s. Hostilities only ceased via an armistice, and not a peace treaty.