The members of K-pop supergroup BTS will enlist in the military, their agency announced Monday, ending a years-long debate over whether the stars deserved an exemption from compulsory service.
All able-bodied South Korean men under the age of 30 are required to serve about two years of military service, largely because the country is technically still at war with nuclear-armed North Korea.
BTS is credited with generating billions for the South Korean economy and their label has seen profits jump despite fewer concerts during the coronavirus pandemic.
But the prospect of South Korea’s mandatory military service continued to hover over BTS, whose stars ranged in age from 25-year-old Jungkook to 29-year-old Jin, who has to sign up by December or risk jail time.
Bighit Music, part of BTS agency Hybe, said Monday that “BTS members are currently moving forward with plans to fulfill their military service.”
It noted in a statement that “every individual embarks on solo endeavors, it is the perfect timing and the members of BTS are honored to serve.”
“Group member Jin will start the process once his schedule for his solo release in late October is finalized,” it added. “Other members of the group plan to do their military service based on their own individual plans.”
Jin announced the release of his solo album at a concert in Busan on Saturday.
“I got to work with someone I really adore,” he told fans without further explaining.
Refusal to perform compulsory service is a crime in South Korea and can result in imprisonment and social stigma.
Exceptions from military service are granted to some elite athletes, such as Olympic medalists and classical musicians – but pop stars don’t qualify.
BTS had already benefited from a 2020 draft law revision that raised the age limit for some entertainers from 28 to 30.
Seoul’s defense minister had said in August that BTS may still be allowed to hold international concerts and prepare for international concerts even if they take on military duties.
In June, the septet dropped the bombshell announcement that they were taking a break as a group to pursue solo projects.
