BTS star Jin savors a record-breaking 1,000 fans’ embrace in a hug-a-thon post military discharge

 BTS member Jin hugged 1,000 ecstatic fans in Seoul to celebrate his return after completing mandatory military service. The hugathon kicked off events marking the K-pop group's comeback following a hiatus.

Thursday evening was filled with excitement and hugs as thousands of fans lined up in Seoul to welcome back Jin of BTS. The K-pop idol who recently came back from serving 18 months of mandatory military service started his return to civilian life by hugging 1000 fans in the now-famous “Hug-A-Thon”.

The hugs were given to 1,000 fans who were selected by raffle to receive the hugs from the 31-year-old singer, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin. The fans stood in a queue to participate in a 3-hour hugging spree which was a part of two interactive sessions that were in Jin’s schedule for his homecoming. 

It is said that Ms. Park, a 32-year-old fan with a winning place commented as follows: “I am glad that I will be able to meet Jin. ” This left me shocked, saying ‘I couldn’t believe it. ’

For the first time, Jin of the highly successful South Korean group BTS is being discharged from the South Korean military service. Other six members are still active and the complete group is again likely to assemble in 2025.  

The rest of the BTS members – RM, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin, V and Jungkook – skipped work on Wednesday to join Jin who arrived back from the army training center where he had been a drill sergeant. People were thrilled to see them together in pictures and discussed it in detail.

Not that Thursdays hugathon lacked in controversy. Critics arose for ticket collectors as the organizers demanded people to join the BTS ARMY fan club and purchase albums to participate in the raffle, which was considered as a marketing strategy. They first set very stringent standards, which people complained about, after which they relaxed them.

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After the hugs, Jin proceeded to the second event and there are 3,000 fans waiting for him to sing songs and have a conversation with them. It also informs the audience that this is the beginning of the BTS’ new era after the servicemen took their time off to serve the military.