In December 2022, BTS's eldest member, Jin, began his military service, marking the start of a hiatus for the group. This was during a time when BTS was achieving unprecedented success in the global music market, making Jin's enlistment a poignant moment for their global fandom, ARMY. 


However, time has flown by, and Jin's discharge date is now just four days away. Jin is set to be discharged from the army on June 12th from the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. Considering BTS's debut anniversary is on June 13th, Jin's discharge is particularly significant for ARMY. BTS has traditionally held an annual celebration called 'FESTA' to commemorate their debut with fans, and there is heightened anticipation over Jin's potential attendance since his discharge is just one day prior.


Even during his military service, Jin's dedication to his fans remained unwavering. To honor his promise to ARMY, Jin has confirmed his attendance at the offline event '2024 FESTA,' which will take place in the Songpa District of Seoul on June 13th. He is scheduled to participate in a fan meeting called 'Jin's Greetings,' which will include a hug event for 1,000 fans, and a segment titled 'June 13, 2024, Seokjin, Weather: Clear,' showcasing various sides of Jin. This fan event was reportedly organized at Jin's suggestion, highlighting its special significance.


Not to be outdone, BTS's youngest member, Jungkook, has also contributed to the '2024 FESTA' with the release of a fan song. On June 7th, Jungkook released a new digital single titled 'Never Let Go.' This fan song, which Jungkook participated in writing and composing, carries the message of never letting go of each other's hands.


'Never Let Go' made an immediate impact, topping iTunes charts worldwide. By 9 AM on June 8th, the song had reached number one on the iTunes 'Top Song' chart in 96 countries and regions, including the United States, Italy, and Japan. As of June 7th, it also topped the 'Worldwide iTunes Song' and 'European iTunes Song' charts.


To commemorate the release of 'Never Let Go,' Jungkook posted a lengthy message on the fan communication platform Weverse, expressing his thoughts and gratitude to the fans. He wrote, "Did you receive the song gift well, ARMY? I hope you like it. I worked on this song thinking of you from the start, and though the hook might seem long, it’s a performance song meant to show dance and house genre elements. Unfortunately, I couldn't proceed with the performance due to time constraints. I regret that I couldn’t film it. Please understand this part, as I am being hard on myself for it."


Jungkook added, "Anyway, the 11th anniversary is approaching. Thank you for always being by our side. I hope you stay healthy and never get sick. It's really hot in the summer, so take care of yourselves. Goodbye ♥"


Written by Kim Su Jin
Translated by Lee So Yun