BTS Jin to light up Paris Olympics as torchbearer following military service

FRESH from the South Korean military service, BTS band member Jin, is set to become a torchbearer for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

While the exact dates and location have not been disclosed, according to a press release Jin’s relay aims to spread the message of “harmony” and “peace".

Olympic torchbearers began their journey on May 8, carrying the Olympic Flame and Paralympic Flame across France. Their mission will continue until July 26, 2024, culminating in the Olympic opening ceremony on July 27, 2024.

They will return for a four-day segment from Aug 25-28, just before the Paralympic opening ceremony.

Recently, torchbearers were seen passing the Olympic flame during the relay in Saint-Pierre on the French Caribbean Island of Martinique on June 17, 2024, in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Previously Jin, whose full name is Kim Seok Jin completed over 500 days of South Korean military service. Jin, the oldest in the group and the first to enlist, was released from his army base in South Korea's northern Yeoncheon county in early June.

Upon his release, he was warmly welcomed by his bandmates J-Hope, V, RM, Jungkook, and Jimin.

BTS, the world's most popular boy band, has been on a self-described ‘hiatus’ since 2022 due to mandatory military service requirements in South Korea for all men under 30, amidst tensions with North Korea.

One day after his discharge, he participated in BTS's annual Festa celebrations, where he hugged 1,000 fans in a special event.

The remaining members, including J-hope who completes his service in October, are slated to finish by June 2025. Jin is also set to appear on an MBC variety show and is reportedly working on new music projects.