Jin, the eldest member of the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, recently opened up about his time in the South Korean military, sharing personal stories and experiences in an exclusive interview with Weverse Magazine. Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, provided a glimpse into his military life, from moments of camaraderie to instances of personal growth.
One of the standout moments Jin shared was how he spent his military pay to treat his squad to food. “A lot of them were just turning 19 and never even had a job before, but I’m a lot more financially stable,” he said. “I’d say, ‘You gotta eat well to stay healthy. Come on, I’ll treat you,’ and pay for their food.” Jin’s generosity extended beyond his own squad, often treating soldiers from other barracks to meals. His frequent acts of kindness led to his nickname ‘God’ within the squad. “As soon as they saw me, they’d say, ‘Worship him!’ (laughs),” he recalled.
Jin also recounted an incident where he lost his temper. Despite his decade-long career in the entertainment industry, Jin admitted he still had much to learn and often made mistakes. He described a situation where a soldier’s casual attitude towards a mistake pushed him to the edge. “One soldier did something wrong but kept joking around and saying, ‘I’ll figure it out myself, sir.’ I told him, ‘It’s okay if you make mistakes. It’s not like I know everything. I make mistakes, too. But if a senior soldier tells you to do something, you have to at least pretend to listen,'” Jin said, emphasizing the importance of respect and responsibility.
The singer also reflected on the emotional day of his discharge. “The whole barracks was in tears,” Jin recalled. “People don’t always cry, obviously, but they do when the good seniors leave.” He modestly attributed the tears to his popularity rather than being a good senior.
Jin was officially discharged in June this year. To mark the occasion, fellow BTS members RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, who are also serving in the military, were given a day off to reunite and celebrate his homecoming. Jin began his service on December 13, 2022, making him the first of the seven BTS members to enlist.
This candid sharing from Jin not only highlights the bonds formed during military service but also showcases his humility and leadership, further endearing him to fans worldwide.
