PARIS: Jin of global K-pop sensation BTS carried the torch for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on Sunday (July 14), greeted by throngs of cheering fans. The Korean singer led the Louvre Museum section of the relay in Paris, starting around 8pm.
Fans held signs handwritten in Korean saying, "Welcome, Seok-jin, I Love You," "Run, Seok-jin" and "Good luck, Seok-jin," along with Korean national flags. Kim Seok-jin is Jin's birth name.
As Jin (pic) emerged from the torch relay centre at the museum around 8pm, the crowd erupted in cheers, chanting his name.
Jin, with a shy smile, waved to his fans, acknowledging their love and support.
Escorted by police, he then moved to Rue de Rivoli, a nearby street, and was handed the torch. He ran about 200m before returning it to the torch relay centre at the museum.
The event coincided with Bastille Day, France's national holiday.
"I feel extremely honoured to have been able to participate in today's torch relay. I sincerely thank all the fans who made it possible for me to carry the torch," Jin said after completing the torch relay, according to Hybe, the parent company of his agency, BigHit Music.
The 31-year-old recently completed his mandatory military service, becoming the first BTS member to do so. He is expected to focus on solo activities in the coming months.
The French domestic torch relay, which began May 8 in Marseille, southern France, has been under way for more than two months.
The Olympic torch, which arrived in Paris on Sunday, will travel through various parts of the French capital until Monday and then return to the provinces before coming back to Paris for the opening ceremony on July 26. - Yonhap
