The K-Pop supergroup BTS will enlist in the South Korean military, their agency announced on Monday, 17 October 2022.
BTS to enlist in the military: Here’s what we know
As reported by The Guardian, due in large part to the fact that South Korea is still technically at war with nuclear-armed North Korea, all non-disabled men under the age of 30 are required to serve in the military for at least two years.
The seven BTS members were permitted to delay their conscription until they turned 30. Jin, the oldest, is now 29 years old. The band’s management announced on Monday that he would start preparing next month.
According to the statement, all seven members of the group, the youngest of whom is 24 years old, will serve their civic duty
In the statement, it said, “as each individual embarks on solo endeavours, it’s the perfect time, and the members of BTS are honoured to serve”.
“Group member Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October,” it added. “Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans.”
The announcement ends with a promise of there being ” much more yet to come in the years ahead from BTS.”
Here’s when the K-pop group will likely return
In South Korea, refusing to perform one’s essential service is a crime that can result in imprisonment and social stigma. Some elite athletes, including Olympic medalists and classical musicians, are exempt from military service. However, pop stars are not.
A 2020 change to the conscription law that raised the eligibility age for some entertainers to enlist from 28 to 30 years old had already benefited BTS.
According to BuzzFeed News, if all goes well, BTS could be reunited in 2025.
The public reacts to the news
The BTS Army has taken to social media to react to the news that the adored group is heading to the military. See their reactions below:
