j-hope.Photo: jhope/Instagram, Jacopo Raule/GC

BTSstar J-Hope is getting ready to serve.
The singer debuted a new shorter hairstyle on his social media ahead of hismandatory service in the South Korean military, which he announced he was joining in February after legally deferring his enlistment for several years.
In three photos shared on Instagram, J-Hope rocked much shorter hair while he peered over the top of his glasses. He also nodded to his new hairstyle in his caption: an emoji of a pair of scissors.
“We ask for your continued love and support for j-hope until he completes his military service and safely returns,” they continued.
J-Hope is the second member of the hit band to enlist after Jin, the group’s oldest member,announced he was serving in December 2022.
Big Hit has previously announced that all seven members of BTS will ultimately do their mandatory military service, CNN reported.
j-hope.jhope/Instagram

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Despite this, BTS last year said in astatement shared with PEOPLEthat members of the band intended to release both group and solo projects as they embarked on their “new chapter” together. The statement was made after RM, Jungkook, J-Hope, Jin, V, Jimin and Suga appeared toannounce a temporary hiatusduring the group’sannual FESTA dinnerin June.
“The group will remain active as a team while taking individual journey to further achieve personal growth,” the release said from HYBE, the agency that represents BTS, said, adding that the members of the two-time Grammy-nominated group “will allow themselves to express their individuality through the release of solo albums and collaborations with other artists.”
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At the time, Big Hit Music added, “BTS now starts a new chapter with new solo projects as well as group projects. Members will take this time to achieve personal growth through various new activities, and we expect it to further strengthen the foundation for the group’s long-run as a team. Big Hit Music will actively support the artists.
“A spokesperson for the group also told Pitchfork, “To be clear,they are not on hiatusbut will take time to explore some solo projects at this time and remain active in various different formats.”
source: people.com