A thousand fans will queue in Seoul on Thursday for a hug from Jin, who is back as a K-pop idol after 18 months of military service.

The three-hour marathon is his first public event since being discharged from the army on Wednesday.

The 1,000 to be hugged were chosen in a raffle – although Jin has suggested hugging up to 3,000 fans.

This event will be followed by another with 3,000 others, where Jin will perform songs on request and share messages with fans.

Jin is 31-years-old, the oldest member of the hit band BTS.

He was drafted for compulsory service in December 2022, serving as an assistant drill instructor at a training centre for the South Korean military, which requires all able-bodied men to serve.

He is the first BTS member to be discharged from duty.

The other six – J-Hope, V, RM, Jimin, Jung Kook and Suga – are still serving and the band is expected to reunite only in June 2025.