Kim Seok-jin, better known as Jin from the South Korean pop group BTS, is getting right back to work after the end of his military service.

He’ll be hugging 1,000 adoring fans at an event in Seoul on Thursday.

By law, all able South Korean men between the ages of 18 to 28 have to serve at least 18 months in the military or do social service. In 2020, the law was amended to allow members of K-pop groups to delay service until they turn 30.

Jin, 31, the oldest member of BTS, started his military service in 2022. The other six band members are still in the middle of their terms, and the group is only expected to reunite next year.

Ahead of Jin’s rejoining civilian life, Big Hit Music, the agency behind BTS, said, “We are always grateful for your unwavering love and support for Jin. Our company will continue to put our utmost effort into supporting our artists. Thank you once again for your continued love and support for BTS.”

A raffle chose the 1,000 fans who will get to hug the K-pop superstar, with the event expected to last around three hours. At a second event, Jin will perform songs on request for an audience of 3,000.

“I’m so happy now that I will meet Jin. I didn’t expect to win. I couldn’t believe it so all weekend I kept checking over and over again,” Ms. Park, a BTS fan who did not provide a first name, told the BBC.

The event is part of the annual BTS Festa that this year celebrates the 11th anniversary of the band’s debut.

On Wednesday, Jin marked the end of his military service without fans. He was greeted outside a military barracks by other BTS members currently serving in the military. 

The bandmates later enjoyed cake and balloons, as seen in a photo posted by a BTS account on X.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.