BTS member Jin carries Olympic torch in Paris near Louvre Museum
The 31-year-old K-pop star led the Louvre Museum section of the relay on Sunday (Jul 14).
Jin, the oldest member of K-pop supergroup BTS, takes the Olympic torch, Sunday, July 14, 2024 in Paris. Jin will carry the Olympic torch in the area of Paris' Louvre Museum after recently completing his mandatory military service. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
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BTS member Jin has completed his role as torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in the French capital city. The 31-year-old K-pop star led the Louvre Museum section of the relay on Sunday (Jul 14), which was also Bastille Day, a French national holiday.
Jin was chosen to represent South Korea in the relay to spread the message of “harmony” and “peace”.
He emerged from the museum, the torch relay centre, at around 8pm (2am Monday in Singapore), to cheers and chants of his name from crowds of supporters gathered nearby. He acknowledged the fans and waved at them.
According to media reports, Jin moved to nearby street Rue de Rivoli where he was handed the torch. He then walked about 200 metres before returning to the torch relay centre.
In a video message released by Hybe, Jin said: "I feel extremely honoured to have been able to participate in today's torch relay. I sincerely thank ARMY and all the fans who made it possible for me to carry the torch.”
Jin is the first member of BTS to have completed his mandatory military service. He was discharged on Jun 12 and was greeted by his bandmates once he exited the military site.
The day after his military discharge, Jin held a fan event where he hugged 1,000 lucky fans.
