On June 12, 2024, Jin, the oldest member of the global sensation BTS, completed his mandatory military service in South Korea. The 18-month-long journey through the rigors of military life brought not just a man, but an emotional Jin, seen hugging his colleagues at a military base in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province (CNN, June 12, 2024; USA Today, June 12, 2024).

In a scene befitting a final season of a heart-tugging drama, Jin's bandmate RM greeted him with a saxophone performance of BTS's hit single 'Dynamite' (CNN, June 12, 2024; NBC, June 12, 2024). Fans can only hope this brings up the average saxophone sales across the globe by… well, at least one.

Several of Jin's BTS brothers, who are themselves scattered across various barracks and training camps, applied for leave to celebrate this significant juncture in Jin’s life (CNN, June 12, 2024; USA Today, June 12, 2024). It's a situation that can only be described as "When K-pop meets MAS*H," minus the North Korean skirmishes.

Stepping back into civilian shoes, Jin plans to greet fans and stage a performance. This celebration in Seoul is expected to simultaneously trigger mass euphoria and minor cardiac events in the BTS ARMY (NBC, June 12, 2024). BigHit Music, always one step ahead in managing crowd-induced turmoil, urged fans not to visit the army base, surely to avoid situations where fans might attempt to serenade tanks with 'Boy With Luv' (NBC, June 12, 2024).

Jin paved the way for his bandmates by being the first to enlist in December 2022 (CNN, June 12, 2024; NBC, June 12, 2024; USA Today, June 12, 2024). With the final four members having started their service in December 2023, BTS is expected to reconvene in 2025, though hopefully without having to do morning drills in sync (NBC, June 12, 2024).

Fans’ adoration transformed into creative expression, with a photo circulating on X (formerly known as Twitter) showing the seven members of BTS sitting together, balloons spelling out 'Jin is back' (NBC, June 12, 2024; USA Today, June 12, 2024). At this point, one can only hope that the South Korean balloon industry is receiving due royalties.

South Korean law mandates that all able-bodied men between 18 and 28 serve between 18 to 21 months in the military or social service, a duty Jin has completed with the kind of grace previously reserved for red carpets and world tours (CNN, June 12, 2024). A 2020 revision to the law allowed globally recognized K-pop stars to delay their service until age 30, marking yet another example of international fame affecting national policy (NBC, June 12, 2024). It’s great to know that belting high notes in different arenas can get you a little more time before basic training calls.

Now honorably discharged, Jin holds a place in the hearts of fans and comrades alike, a place affectionately named 'General Jin.' The BTS ARMY couldn’t be prouder, and who knows? Maybe ‘General Jin’ will lead us all—as long as by leading, we mean serenading into blissful oblivion.