BTS Announces That Will Go Into the ROK Military to Complete Their Mandatory Service
|Considering how many other celebrities have completed their mandatory military service it is only fair that BTS completes their service obligations as well:
All members of K-pop supergroup BTS will go to the military to fulfill mandatory service, starting with the oldest member Jin, the band’s agency said Monday.
“Jin will revoke his request to delay his conscription at the end of this month and will follow conscription procedures required by the Military Manpower Administration,” Big Hit Music said in a public notice to the local bourse. “Other members will fulfill their military duty in turn according to their individual plans.”
Jin, born in 1992, had his conscription delayed till the end of this year under the Military Service Act revised in 2020.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for about two years. But the current law allows global award-winning athletes and classical musicians recommended by the minister of culture, sports and tourism to do alternative services in their respective fields instead of serving in active military duty.
Bills that would include globally recognized male pop culture artists, like BTS, in the program are still pending at the National Assembly amid a lingering debate over whether the K-pop giant should get exemptions in recognition of its contribution to improving the country’s brand image.
With Monday’s decision, the septet will pause working together as a group for the time being.
Yonhap
You can read more at the link, but BTS is expected to rejoin as a musical group in 2025 when everyone should have their mandatory military service completed.
Good for them! They’re following in Elvis’ footsteps…
Link and photos:
https://clickamericana.com/topics/celebrities-famous-people/elvis-swaps-mansion-for-army-living-1958
I served at Osan Air Base form 1974 to 1976, and from 1980 to 1981. I’m glad I did my part, and it’s only fair that Korean citizens do theirs.
Welp, we now know 7 people who will be KATUSAs…