Band BTS Declares Planned Military Service in Korea
According to a statement released by the band’s management and record label Big Hit on Monday, all seven members of the internationally famous K-pop group BTS will be enlisting in the South Korean military.
The seven members of BTS are expected to finish their military obligations “around 2025,” according to Big Hit.
Big Hit is statement reads in part, “Since the creation of BTS over ten years ago, the band has risen to international success, broken records, and catapulted K-Pop into the global stratosphere,” “BIGHIT MUSIC has focused to the milestone moment when it would be possible to respect the needs of the country and for these healthy young men to serve with their countrymen, and that’s now.”
According to Big Hit, Kim Seok-jin, also known as Jin, the group’s eldest performer, will be the first member to enlist. As soon as his solo effort drops later this month, the 29-year-old aims to enlist.
Due to the constant threat posed by North Korea, South Korea has a mandatory conscription system in place that mandates all able-bodied men serve in the military forces for at least 18 months by the time they reach the age of 28. Certain sports and performing artists, especially those involved in classical and traditional music, are eligible for exemptions.
In gratitude of BTS’s contributions in “enhancing Korea’s international image.” when Jin turned 28 in 2020, he was awarded a two-year postponement in entering the army, making him one of the first K-pop singers to receive such a respite.
The band released a video in June announcing that it would be going on an indefinite hiatus. “After 10 years of living as BTS and working on all our schedules, it’s physically impossible for me to mature anymore.” RM, real name Kim Nam-joon, said in that video.