When BTS’s Jin enlisted in the South Korean military on December 13, 2022, it marked a bittersweet moment for ARMY worldwide. As the first member of BTS to begin his mandatory service, fans faced the reality of not seeing him for 18 months.
Despite the sadness, ARMYs respected Jin’s wishes and handled his enlistment with great care, following guidelines set by both BIGHIT MUSIC and the Korean military.
In preparation for Jin’s enlistment, BIGHIT MUSIC, in coordination with the military, asked fans to avoid showing up in person at the training center and instead send their support through messages.
This request was widely respected, with international fans proactively protecting Jin’s privacy. The military also clarified guidelines about sending fan mail to celebrities during their service, which led to the creation of a new system to manage the influx of messages.
The Camp, a platform where loved ones of military personnel can send letters and receive updates, had to address concerns over the volume of fan mail Jin might receive.
Initially, an employee’s public post about limiting letters went viral, leading to confusion. The military quickly clarified that the employee’s statement was not official and revealed plans to create a separate section on The Camp specifically for celebrity soldiers.
This new system now allows fans to send messages to artists like Jin without disrupting the experience of other recruits. This solution has paved the way for future idol enlistments, ensuring a smoother process for both celebrities and their fans.
