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On November 26, 2024, BIGHIT MUSIC dropped a new teaser of the upcoming episode of RUN JIN. After airing episode 11 of the popular variety show, the show was halted briefly, as BTS' Kim Seok-jin got busy promoting his debut solo album, Happy.
The latest teaser clip showed the Running Wild singer-songwriter walking into the HYBE building and stumbling upon a surprise guest for the upcoming show. Although the guest's face was hidden with a big question mark emoji, astute fans speculated that it could be BTS' j-hope.
Fans identified him right away as j-hope since he was sporting a familiar Louis Vuitton red sweatshirt and a beanie on his head. One fan recalled how the Happy musician had previously mentioned his idea of kidnapping j-hope for the filming of his variety show in September 2024.
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One fan joked that he "kidnapped" j-hope and wrote on X:
""You're not actually in a meeting, you're filming run jin." He actually kidnapped hobi I'm crying"
The BTS fandom made light of the matter and highlighted how the Running Wild singer-songwriter executed his plan of kidnapping j-hope for his show.
"Does anyone else think that Jin says "it's what ARMY wants" 99% of the time truly because of us, but 1% of the time truly because he embraces the chaos. And this is one of those times," one fan said.
"There's only one guy who would wear a hat like that and who would be subject of a kidnapping," another fan wrote.
""I'll kidnap hobi as soon as he is discharged. are you okay with it hobi? are you okay being kidnapped? your opinion matters." ITS REALLY HAPPENING WE'RE GETTING 2SEOK RUN JIN" one other fan added.
Others joked about how BIGHIT MUSIC tried to hide j-hope's face assuming that the BTS ARMY won't be able to recognize him in an instant.
"GEE WHO COULD THE PERSON BE WITH THE CUTE LIL HAT AND THE YSL SWEATER? IT'S A MYSTERY FOR ALL TIME!" one fan commented.
"DID HE CRASH A STAFF MEETING. DID HE GET HOBI. I NEED TO KNOW," another fan remarked.
"Hahaha they had to cover his face as if we don't know who rocks such bonnet." another fan joked.
More about BTS' Jin and j-hope's post-military activities
On November 15, 2024, Jin released his debut solo album, Happy, including six tracks like Running Wild, I'll Be There, I will come to you, Another Level, Falling, and Heart on the Window (feat. Wendy of Red Velvet). On November 21, 2024, Coldplay posted the album cover image of Happy and gave a shoutout to the BTS idol's latest release.
The Epiphany singer-songwriter was discharged from the military on June 12, 2024, and filmed 11 episodes for his variety show, RUN JIN, which aired on BTS' official YouTube channel, BANGTANTV. He also became the first Korean artist to carry the Olympic Flame at the 2024 Paris Olympics as one of its honored torchbearers in July.
Meanwhile, j-hope was discharged from the South Korean military on October 17, 2024, after enlisting on April 18, 2023. The K-pop idol made his first official public appearance at the 2024 KBO League Korean Series between the KIA Tigers and Samsung Lions on October 23. He threw the first ceremonial pitch during the beginning of the game which was held at Gwangju KIA Champions Field.
In other news, BTS' other five members (RM, V, SUGA, Jimin, Jungkook) are currently serving in the military to fulfill their mandatory enlistment as per South Korea's law. They will be discharged sometime in June 2025.
