The seven members of BTS – one of the biggest bands in the world – will do their military service in their native South Korea, their agency has announced, ending a long national debate on whether they should benefit from military service. an exemption.
While many fans of the K-pop sensations hoped the group members would get special attention due to their contribution to South Korea’s economy and international prestige, the artists will each serve nearly two years in the army.
Jin, the oldest member of the group, will be the first to swap his stage outfit for a uniform shortly after turning 30 in December, according to media reports. The other six members, born between 1993 and 1997, will follow, with the band expected to reform around 2025, according to their management company, Big Hit Music.
Big Hit, part of BTS’s Hybe agency, said on Monday that the group’s members are “moving forward with plans to fulfill their military service,” adding that “as each individual embarks on projects solo is the perfect time and the members of BTS are honored.” to serve”.
“Group member Jin will start the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is completed at the end of October,” he added in a statement. “Other members of the group plan to perform their military service according to their own individual plans.”
All able-bodied South Korean men under the age of 30 must serve in the military between 18 and 21 months – a requirement intended to maintain the country’s ability to defend itself against a possible attack from North Korea, with which it is technically still at war. .
Some prominent South Koreans have received exemptions or been allowed to perform alternative public service, including Olympic and Asian Games medalists and award-winning classical musicians and dancers. Among them are Seong-jin Cho, the first Korean pianist to win the International Chopin Piano Competition, and Tottenham footballer Son Heung-min, gold medalist at the 2018 Asian Games.
Some South Korean lawmakers had expressed support for an exemption, despite fears it would lead to accusations of patronage, especially among other young men who have no choice but to serve.
Refusing to perform military service is a crime in South Korea and can lead to imprisonment and social stigma, as actor and singer Steve Yoo discovered when he was deported and barred from entering in the country after avoiding conscription by becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in South Korea. 2002, months before he was drafted.
Earlier this month, Lee Ki-sik, commissioner of military personnel administration, told MPs it would be ‘desirable’ for band members to carry out their military duties to ensure fairness in the country’s military service.
The decision comes months after BTS announced they were taking a break as a group to focus on solo careers.
The band came together to perform a free concert on Saturday in Busan in support of the port city’s campaign to host the 2030 World Expo.
The award-winning band have sold over 30 million albums worldwide and earned two Grammy nominations to reach the top of the US and UK charts.
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