Up for some K-pop news? South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup mentions that popular K-pop boy group, BTS (방탄소년단), may still perform despite serving in the South Korean military. This has been quite a talk among fans and people who are knowledgeable about the required military service of South Korean men. They should render 18 months of service in their military, between the ages of 18 to 28 years old.
However, the seven-member K-pop stars have delayed their service. In 2018, there has been an act that has passed that allowed postponements of military service until the age of 30 years old in certain circumstances.
Will BTS render Military Service?
- The revision of the Military Service Act in 2018 allows K-pop artists to apply if they received government medals. BTS qualified for this as it brought a huge influence on South Korean culture into the world.
- BTS Law, as some address it, ends this year as the oldest member of the group, Jin, turns 30.
- In line with this, BTS Jin should be drafted next year which leaves fans worrying about the group’s future activities.
- According to Lee Jong-sup, the Defense Minister says that BTS can continue to perform while rendering their military service. In this way, the military can serve national interests without affecting the personnel in the troop.
- The defense minister states, “Even if they join the military, there would be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together if there are scheduled concerts abroad”, according to a report by Reuters. Moreover, BTS is not exempted from the service, but BigHit Entertainment is yet to speak on this.
- Military Manpower Association’s Lee Ki-shik says that “Perhaps it’s necessary to reconsider the system while taking into account the question of fairness and public opinion.”
- In addition, the South Korean parliament is in talks to shorten the military service of K-pop artists to three weeks. Also, another bill to allow alternative services by moving the popular culture and artists to art agents.
More about BTS
Just this June, BTS met with U.S. President Joe Biden to converse about the anti-Asian hate crimes happening everywhere in the world. With this meeting, they raise awareness and spoke out against racism, anti-Asian violence, and discrimination. BTS wins the American Music Awards’ Artist of the Year in 2021, before the president’s meeting.
It was great to meet with you this week at the White House, @bts_bighit. The rise in anti-Asian hate crimes requires all of us to stand up, speak out, and give hate no safe harbor. Thanks for all you’re doing. It matters. pic.twitter.com/R1YpKnO9zA
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 4, 2022
- Also in June, BigHit announces the group’s “indefinite hiatus”. However, HYBE clears that the group activities are just on pause, as the members focus on their solo projects. With this, BTS members release new solo music, activities, and collaborations with different artists in the meantime.
- Jung-kook drops a song collaboration with artist Charlie Puth with the song “Left And Right” which took the Internet on fire. Up to this date, the song has been used a lot in the content application TikTok.
- Additionally, just this July, J-Hope releases his solo album, “Jack in the Box” with the title track “Arson“. The other members, Jimin, Jin, RM, Suga, and V have yet to announce their own activities, so ARMYs stick around!
The K-pop boy group also released their anthology album ‘Proof’ just before the announcement of the ‘hiatus’. This consists of 35 tracks in the digital album, while an extended 48-track in the physical album. You can check out BTS’ official Twitter and Instagram pages for more information about the members’ activities!
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