KOREA CHANGE
Inside K-pop stars BTS’s military service as they’re ordered to serve up to two years – here’s what they’ll have to do
K-POP superstars BTS will undertake mandatory military service in South Korea while the band takes a break, their agents said today.
The news ends years of debate over whether BTS members might be exempted from military duties due to their contribution to the country’s economy.
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Under Korean law, all South Korean men have to complete at least 21 months of national service before they are 28 years old.
The length of service varies depending on personal circumstances, while all entrants are required to undergo a physical exam to see if they are fit to serve.
Conscription in South Korea has been in force since 1957 and is mandatory for all men aged between 18 and 28.
Conscripted soldiers go through six weeks of basic training where they are taught not to retreat.
Training includes physical conditioning, military skills, martial arts drills and practice sessions in hand-to-hand combat.
The majority participate in active duty enlistment - meaning they can be deployed at any time.
Other activities involve social work, research, full-time reserve enlistment and conscription, and industrial technical personnel.
Thus far, the seven BTS members, who have been labelled the biggest boy band in the world, had been allowed to put off starting their military service until they turned 30 following a special bill passed in 2020.
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But Jin, the oldest member, turns 30 in December and is now aiming to start the process at the end of the month, their management company Big Hit Music suggests.
The six other members are set to follow suit, with the band expected to reform in 2025.
In a statement on Monday, Big Hit said members were “moving forward with plans to fulfil their military service”.
They added: “As each individual embarks on solo endeavours, it’s the perfect time and the members of BTS are honoured to serve.
“Group member Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October.
“Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans.”
In recent years, some prominent South Koreans have received exemptions for public service and sporting achievement.
The most notable included Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min who earned his exemption after helping his country win gold at the Asian Games in 2018.
He later undertook a shortened four-week national service during the coronavirus delay to the 2019-2020 Premier League season.
Earlier this month, Lee Ki-sik, commissioner of the military manpower administration, told MPs it would be “desirable” for members of the band to carry out their military duties – citing fairness in the country’s military service.
It came as the country’s defence minister suggested that BTS might still be able to perform overseas while serving in the military if they so wished.
BAND SPLIT
In June, the band confirmed that they were taking a temporary break in order to pursue solo careers.
Speaking at their annual FESTA dinner, group member RM said: “I always thought that BTS was different from other groups, but the problem with K-pop and the whole ‘idol’ system is that they don’t give you time to mature.”
“You have to keep producing music and keep doing something.”
But despite the split, the band assured fans this will only make them stronger.
“We should spend some time apart to learn how to be one again,” J-Hope added.
“I hope you don’t see this as a negative thing, and see it as a healthy plan. BTS will become stronger that way.”
Since debuting in the music scene, the band has won over 60 awards and also holds 25 world records.
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In 2020, the band released their first English-language song, titled Dynamite, which broke the YouTube record for the most viewed premiere.
According to the most recent Forbes figures, BTS has a combined net worth of £3.1billion.
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