Jin, the oldest member of K-pop supergroup BTS, was discharged from his 18 months of mandatory military service Wednesday, with fans worldwide eagerly anticipating his return to the music scene.

After saying goodbye to his fellow soldiers during a brief, teary farewell ceremony inside the 5th Army Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, 61 kilometers north of Seoul, the entertainer walked out of the compound at about 9 a.m. to be welcomed back by his fellow BTS members.

During his service, he served as an assistant drill instructor at the Army recruit training center.

Jin of the K-pop boy band BTS waves to cameras outside the 5th Army Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, 61 kilometers north of Seoul, where he served in the military for 18 months, June 12. Yonhap

After saluting in front of the main gate, Jin received a bouquet of flowers and was seen smiling brightly as he reunited with five of his bandmates — J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook. RM, currently serving in a military brass band, marked the occasion with a celebratory saxophone performance of the band’s megahit single “Dynamite.”

The five BTS members, who are still serving in the military, reportedly applied for leave to reunite in Seoul with Jin for a private celebration. The seventh memeber Suga, was absent from the scene.

Jin waved to the gathered media and said, “Hi, ARMY!” in reference to the name of BTS’s global fandom. He then quickly climbed into a black minivan before departing the site.

Fans were absent as the group’s agency, BigHit Music, had requested they avoid visiting the location to prevent overcrowding issues.

BTS’s Jin, left, reunites with RM, right, and J-Hope after being discharged from the 5th Army Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, June 12. Yonhap

Fans rather welcomed back and congratulated Jin on his return by watching the scene unfold through online live broadcasts.

Banners and large balloons with messages from fans were seen near the road leading to the military compound.

The messages read, “Welcome back, Assistant Instructor Jin, who was discharged!” and “Cheering for Jin as he moves forward once again.”

BTS’s Jin, carries flowers and waves to cameras as he leaves the 5th Army Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, June 12. Yonhap

The BTS star is scheduled to give out hugs to fans who won a raffle event at this year’s BTS FESTA, the annual celebration of the band’s debut anniversary, at the Seoul Sports Complex in southern Seoul on Thursday. Later in the day, Jin will hold a meet-and-greet event for fans that will also be livestreamed on the Weverse K-pop fan community platform. Jin is also expected to release a solo album later this year.

Upon his discharge, Jin became the first of BTS’ seven members to finish their military duty. After him, J-Hope is expected to be discharged from duty in October.

BTS is expected to return as a septet in 2025, when all the members finish their military service.

In Korea, all men are required to serve between 18 and 21 months in the military, unless they meet strict exemption requirements. (Yonhap)

BTS member Jin shares a moment with fellow soldiers in a brief farewell ceremony to mark the completion of his mandatory military service at the 5th Army Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, 61 kilometers north of Seoul, June 12. Yonhap