On Wednesday, June 11, 2024, there was an unusual convergence of anime and K-pop enthusiasts on the internet as the eldest member of BTS, Jin, completed his mandatory military service in South Korea. Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, became the first member of the famous group to fulfill his duty after enlisting in December 2022.
All seven members of the group are currently serving in the South Korean military, with plans to reunite in 2025 once they have all completed their service. The decision to serve together was announced shortly after a performance in October 2022 by Jin, RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.
However, this recent virtual exchange between anime enthusiasts and devoted BTS supporters, referred to as “ARMY,”has emerged due to the significance of Jin’s discharge as the group’s first overall. Similarly, the return of the BTS member has been likened to various anime characters, such as Jujutsu Kaisen’s Satoru Gojo, in order to provide a complete understanding for those who are not fans of K-pop.
Explaining the Significance of Jin’s Return to BTS to Anime Fans
The extensive comparisons being made are a result of the widespread influence of the “character return”trope in the world of anime and manga. Additionally, it serves as a simple means for K-pop fans who may not be familiar with Jin’s comeback to understand its significance for both the genre and the BTS group as a whole.
Due to South Korean national laws, Jin and the other members are required to complete their mandatory military service. According to these laws, men are not allowed to postpone their enlistment after turning 30 years old. Jin, who turned 30 in December 2022, was compelled to begin his service. In response, their record label Big Hit Music confirmed that all seven members would fulfill their military duties, stating that it was the opportune moment and highlighting their sense of honor in serving.
In the past, there were instances where certain South Korean entertainers and international celebrities were assigned special duties or had shorter service times during their mandatory military service. However, this “entertainment soldier” system was discontinued in 2013 due to concerns about fairness. It is hard to dispute this decision, as those who were part of the system were often given tasks involving producing radio and TV content to promote the military. Interestingly, 2013 also marked the debut of BTS.
Fan Feedback
Similarly, K-pop fans are eagerly awaiting Jin’s return as it signifies the band’s return to full strength. Although it may take some time for this process to come to an end, Jin’s discharge marks the beginning. This realization is also shared by anime fans, who have drawn comparisons to Jujutsu Kaisen’s Satoru Gojo, as seen in the following:
“for jjk fans this is like when gojo get unboxed,” elaborated one netizen.
“For the jjk fans this is like gojo being released from the prison realm,” explained another.
Other fanbases and enthusiasts of anime were also recognized, particularly fans of the Haikyu!! series, who were given two fitting comparisons to this recent development with BTS.
“explaining in haikyuu terms for you guys this is like when noya came back to playing volleyball after his suspension,”emphasized one fan.
“For the Haikyuu fans this is like Hinata Shouyou coming back to Japan after being in Brazil,” asserted another.
Additionally, for anime fans who are not acquainted with the aforementioned series, there is no need to worry as several other series were also alluded to.
“For the Fairy Tail fans this is like the return of most of the guild after 7 years of being stuck on Tenrou Island,” said one user.
“this is like Naruto leaving Konoha for a 2-year training period and starting into the Shippuden era. welcome back MC [heart emoji],” posted another.
“for the bsd fans this is like chuuya showing up again in the manga after being hidden by asgr for almost 2 years,” a third explained.
“For the mha fans This is like when Bakugou woke up after being dead for over a year,” one fan fittingly elaborated.
Regardless, it is evident that the BTS fandom and anime fans are mutually aiding one another in comprehending these significant events within two closely intertwined industries. Furthermore, netizens across all fandoms and communities can anticipate further comparisons in the upcoming months as the remaining BTS members complete their required military duties.
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