BTS ARMY all abuzz after J-Hope posts picture of new military haircut before starting boot camp

J-Hope, one of the seven members of K-pop boyband BTS, has written a farewell message to his fans, saying "I'll have a good trip", before entering a South Korean boot camp to begin his 18-month compulsory military service. 

The singer is now BTS' second member to join the country's army after Jin, the oldest member of the band, made BTS history by becoming the band's first member to enter the South Korean army. 

Fans of BTS' band members – J-Hope, Jin, RM, Suga, V, Jungkook and Jimin – call themselves the ARMY, which stands for 'Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth'.

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Whether BTS band members should serve was hotly debated in South Korea last year after it was announced Jin, now 30, faced possible enlistment in December 2022. 

Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 are required to perform 18 to 21 months of military service but, in 2020, South Korea's parliament passed a bill allowing K-pop stars like BTS to delay their military service until they turned 30. 

Special exemptions have been granted in the past for athletes and artists that bring pride to South Korea.

Big Hit Music, the group's management company, announced in October 2022 that all members of BTS will fulfill their mandatory military service duties in South Korea, saying the popstars are "honoured to serve".

Hybe Corp, the parent company of BTS' management agency, has confirmed J-Hope, 29, has entered the South Korean Army boot camp in Wonju, 55 miles to the east of Seoul. 

Big Hit Music asked fans to not come to the boot camp due to concerns for their safety. 

Despite this request, several members of the BTS ARMY arrived near the base to express their hope that J-Hope is safe during his compulsory service. 

To maintain order, soldiers and police officers attended the scene and there have been no reports of safety-related incidents.