BTS’ J-Hope Gives Update on Military Service, Reveals Honor He Earned – Billboard

J-Hope is working hard, and he’s letting fans know. The BTS member shared a message via Weverse on Friday (Oct. 6) to update ARMY on how he’s doing during his mandatory military service in South Korea.

“How are you, ARMYs??” he kicked off his note, adding saluting and purple heart emojis to his salutation. “It’s gotten a lot colder! Maybe because of the cold air, it’s a moment where you realize that time is passing.”

“I’m working hard to adjust faster than I thought,” continued the performer, who Korean news agency Yonhap reported in April would be working as an assistant instructor of the 36th Infantry Division in Wonju. “It’s a huge burden … because it’s a role that leads and helps young people in Korea to the first step … in the military organization.”

The K-pop star also shared something to celebrate: He’s earned the “special warrior” designation. “You do your best in every situation, and you have good results,” J-Hope noted.

“I’m here to tell you that I’m doing very well and I’m becoming more mature,” he continued before wishing fans well and good health. “Be careful not to catch a cold, our ARMY!!!”

He closed with a quote from John Cena: “I’m in the ARMY!” (The wrestler and actor previously made that statement — in Korean! — in a video addressing BTS in May 2018.)

At the end of his message, J-Hope included a candid photo of himself sitting on the coach and appearing to gaze at a phone. In the snap, his previously buzzed cut is growing out.

J-Hope was the second member of BTS to enlist for mandatory military service; he began in April. Jin was the first, and began his service in December 2022. Suga is the third and latest to enter military service; he kicked of his 18-month stint on Sept. 22.