BTS and ARMYs -- the group's fans -- celebrated Jin's birthday differently this year because he is currently in the military in South Korea to fulfill his mandatory service.

Member Jimin made the fandom emotional when he posted on Weverse on Jin's birthday, saying, "Jin hyung's birthday without Seokjin."

Meanwhile, one fan tweeted that this year, there is no "Hope film" from J-Hope and no "Happy Birthday, hyung" from Suga as the two are also fulfilling their required military service.

Despite Jin not being present for his birthday, ARMYs still celebrated his birthday. Some fans even organized an exhibit in celebration of Jin's birthday at the HiKR Ground exhibition hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, from Friday to Sunday.

While Jin couldn't visit the exhibition himself, his older brother went on his behalf. He took photos of what fans had prepared for his younger brother and shared them via an Instagram post.

"On behalf of my family, I would like to say thank you to the people who have put together this amazing place with a lot of effort," he wrote in his post.

According to him, Jin contacted him and told him to attend on his behalf since it would be difficult for Jin to go.

Meanwhile, ARMYs organized and put up birthday ads for Jin in different locations near HYBE's building, including subway ads, street flags, bus ads, bus stop ads, waiting shed ads and a 7/11 ad, among many others.

ARMYs from different parts of the world also organized cup sleeve events and billboard ad placements to celebrate Jin's birthday in their respective countries.

In New York City, ARMYs demonstrated their love for Jin with a New York Times Square birthday ad. One cafe also organized a birthday event and hosted ARMYs for Jin's special day.

Online, fans trended the hashtag #HappyBirthdayJin on X by tweeting their birthday messages for the eldest member of BTS.

Jin officially enlisted and started his mandatory military service last Dec. 13, 2022. He was the first member of BTS to enlist, followed by J-Hope in April 2023. Suga was the third to enlist but as a social service agent. He started last Sept. 22.

The four remaining members of BTS -- RM, Jungkook, Jimin and V -- are scheduled to enlist in the South Korean military soon after BigHit Music announced that they initiated their military enlistment process in late November.

Jin will be discharged from his mandatory military service on June 12, 2024.

Tags
BTS Jin, BTS military enlistment