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2 years ago .Seoul, South Korea

BTS military service: Enlistment and exemption debate explained

  • All BTS members will enlist to serve in the South Korean military
  • Every physically fit man in the country between the ages of 18 and 28 is required to serve two years
  • The band had already been granted a deferral when in 2020 to postpone their obligations

Written by:Sucharita
Published: October 17, 2022 12:12:08 Seoul, South Korea

The biggest boy band in the world, BTS, will leave their ARMY, the fans, to enlist in the South Korean military for national service, according to their agents.

The confirmation puts an end to years of discussion about whether the K-pop artists may be exempted from military service.

Every man in South Korea between the ages of 18 and 28 who is physically fit is required to serve two years.

Also read: BTS to reconvene in 2025 as members break for mandatory military service

The seven BTS members were permitted to postpone beginning their military obligations until they were 30. Jin is currently 29 and is the oldest.

The band’s management said on Monday that he will start gearing up in the following month. All seven of the group’s members, the youngest of whom is 24 years old, likewise intend to complete their duty, the company said.

The main reason why South Korea still requires its citizens to serve in the military is that it technically remains at war with its neighbour and nuclear-armed North Korea.

Also read: BTS to enlist in South Korean military, starting with Jin

The band had already been granted a deferral when, in 2020, a law was approved by the South Korean parliament permitting the biggest K-pop artists to postpone their obligations until the age of 30.

Just a few months ago, BTS said that they would be taking a vacation while some of the members worked on solo projects.

The K-pop group, known for bouncy, catchy songs like Dynamite and Butter, has been the best-selling artist in the world for the previous two years. They have also earned recognition for their support of youths’ mental health.

Also read: BTS Jin announces solo album at Busan Concert

Many South Koreans consider the band to be national treasures, and several legislators had recommended that they be given an exemption so they could continue playing. Olympic medalists and other accomplished athletes, classical musicians, and dancers have all received such exemptions.

The band’s managers, however, claimed in a statement released on Monday that the artists were ready to perform their duties. According to their agency, Jin, who had first requested that his service start date be postponed, has withdrawn that request.

According to the announcement, the band probably wouldn’t reunite for at least two years.

Also read: RM starts BTS Busan concert with a bolder Mic Drop: Watch

“Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment,” their management company statement read.

When addressing the band’s prospects in August, South Korea’s defence minister Lee Jong-sup indicated that they may continue to perform while volunteering.”

“There would be a way to give them a chance to practise and perform together,” he said.

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