K-pop group, BTS, to serve in S’Korea military
Korean pop band, BTS, has announced plans for its seven members to enlist in South Korea’s military.
This was made known in a statement shared by the group’s management company, Big Hit Music, via Twitter on Monday.
The oldest member of the group, Jin, 29, will be the first to enlist in the army while other members, RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook will follow suit according to their own “individual plans.”
The group, however, plans to reconvene in 2025.
The release read in part, “The members of BTS are currently moving forward with plans to fulfill their military service. Group member, Jin, will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October.
“He will then follow the enlistment procedure of the Korean government. Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans. Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment.
“With the release of their first anthology album earlier this year, it opened the path to allow the members to take some time to explore individual projects. As part of the HYBE family, we support and encourage our artists and are beyond proud that they will each now have time to explore their unique interests and do their duty by being of service to the country they call home.
“After the phenomenal concert to support Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030, and as each individual embarks on solo endeavors, it’s the perfect time and the members of BTS are honored to serve.”
All able bodied men between the ages of 18-35 are required by South Korean law to serve in the military for at least 18 months.
An amendment to the country’s Military Service Act In 2020 allowed for pop culture artistes “recommended by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to have greatly enhanced the image of Korea both within the nation and throughout the world” to postpone their service until the age of 30.
Asides global K-Pop stars like the BTS, the exemption was also given to South Korean Olympic medallists, high-achieving sports stars, classical musicians, and dancers.
The group had earlier announced a temporary hiatus in June, mainly to focus on their individual music careers.
